Tag: applying for benefits

Free support available for benefit applications 

People urged not to pay for help to apply

Anyone in Scotland who needs additional support to apply for benefits can receive free help to complete their applications.  

There are several options available for people who need support:  

Social Security Scotland’s Client Advisers can help people by talking to them by phone or through webchat.  

We can support people to apply over the phone on 0800 182 2222 or via webchat.

People can also get help in their communities from our team of local advisers.

In addition, the Scottish Government funds an independent advocacy service to deliver free advice and support to disabled people applying for benefits.

Organisations including Citizens Advice Scotland, Macmillan Cancer Support, Age Scotland and local authority welfare rights teams can also help. 

Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “I urge everyone to avoid any company asking people for money to help them apply for benefits. Free support is readily available from Social Security Scotland and several organisations.

“People should get every penny of the vital support we are delivering to help them live with dignity. Companies charging fees to make benefit applications are exploiting people and taking money from those who need it most.” 


 
Derek Mitchell, CEO of Citizens Advice Scotland said:  “Our advisers in local Citizens Advice Bureaus across Scotland provide free and confidential advice expert advice that gets money back in people’s pockets.

“Whether you need that face to face, over the phone or online, advisers based in local communities will work with you and make sure you get all the support you need.  

“No one should have to pay for advice to get the social security payments they’re entitled to. Every penny of the nearly £170 million we secured for people last year, stayed with them.” 

Social Security Scotland rolls out face-to-face support to apply for benefits

People who live in Dundee City, Perth and Kinross and the Western Isles are the first to access new face-to-face support when applying for Scottish benefits ahead of a full roll out later this year.

The introduction of Social Security Scotland’s new Local Delivery service coincided with the launch of the Child Disability Payment last week, the first Scottish disability benefit which needs to be applied for.

Clients can book an appointment to meet with a specially trained adviser at a venue within their local community or at their home and also be able to request video call or telephone appointments.

Client Support Advisers will answer any queries about Social Security Scotland benefits, help to complete paper or online applications forms, offer other support such as identity and document verification and help with submitting change of circumstances information. There will also be an increased range of ways people can apply for payments they are entitled to. 

The service started in the pilot areas for Child Disability Payment ahead of being rolled out across the whole of Scotland from November 2021.

Social Security Minister Ben Macpherson said: “The introduction of the new face-to-face service demonstrates how the Scottish Government is committed to delivering social security differently from the UK Government.

“We want to make sure people get all of the financial support they are entitled to. Key to making this happen is ensuring that the service is easily accessible to clients from the initial application stage onwards.

“We’ve listened to people who have experience of the current UK system and we’ve ensured that our social security system treats people with dignity, fairness and respect.

“We have designed a system which will allow people to apply in the way that suits them best – by post, phone, online, video call or face-to-face. It gives people choices and makes sure that we take into consideration different accessibility needs – particularly for those looking to apply for disability assistance.”