AtW guidance at the moment says that if you have help from friends and family with interpreting, for example. supporting you with communication if you are self-employed, then AtW can say no to helping you, because you already have communication support.
But really deadweight was meant to stop employers who are already paying for interpreters (etc) from deciding not to pay and asking AtW to start paying instead.
DWP have realised that this was a mistake (thanks) and have changed this.
So from the 1st April 2016, ‘deadweight’ rules will be changed to say that it doesn't matter if you have had support from relatives or friends.
If you have a problem with this, please contact DeafATW, and we will send you more information.