Michelle Baharier, a self-employed artist living with multiple disabilities, has revealed that a sudden £62,500 cut to her Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) grant has devastated her ability to work and manage her health. At 62, Michelle faces severe dyslexia, Dupuytren’s disease in her hands, and crushed spinal discs—all challenges she has navigated with help from the Access to Work scheme.
Previously receiving a three-year support package totaling £117,312, Michelle’s funding was slashed to just £54,750 in 2024. This reduction has forced her to abandon significant parts of her work, including photoshoots, which require carrying heavy equipment she can no longer manage alone.
“I’ve completely stopped doing photoshoots because I can’t carry a camera, tripods, lights, and everything else. I need assistance, but with the cuts, I can’t afford it,” Michelle shared. “This was a vital source of income, and losing it has been a huge blow.”
The cuts come amid broader criticism of the DWP’s Access to Work scheme. Disability advocacy groups like Action on Disability (AoD) report a sharp decline in support hours, dropping from an average of 22.5 to just four over the last two and a half years.
The financial strain and loss of support have taken a heavy toll on Michelle’s well-being. “I’m not coping. I’ve had to seek mental health services because of the stress. It’s affecting me mentally and physically,” she explained. Michelle also struggles to keep up with deadlines and exhibitions without assistance.
A DWP spokesperson acknowledged the challenges, stating: “Access to Work supports thousands of sick and disabled people to start or stay in work, but demand for the scheme has grown significantly and the number of people supported has nearly doubled in five years. We know from employee and employer feedback that we inherited issues in the scheme, which is why we’re working with disabled people and their organisations to improve it.”
Michelle’s story highlights the urgent need for adequate support to ensure disabled people can continue their work and live with dignity.