Service is a calculated success

A new service has been launched which will help residents in Monklands calculate their benefits entitlement.

The online tool aims to address the financial hardship facing many families.

It is the first to fully integrate devolved benefits, including the new Scottish Child Payment, and has been produced by Scotland’s national advice service, Advice Direct Scotland, and data analytics developer Inbest, having been brought together by the organisation Fintech Scotland.

The service provides a free and impartial assessment of entitlement to a range of benefits such as Universal

Credit, crisis grants and support payments.

The launch follows an 87 per cent increase in Scotland’s claimant count between December 2019 and December last year, largely caused by the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

The UK Government has not published figures on uptake of Universal Credit, but it is estimated that hundreds of millions of pounds in benefits goes unclaimed every year.

Andrew Bartlett, chief executive of Advice Direct Scotland, said: “The coronavirus pandemic has been a challenging time for everyone.

“People still have bills to pay, and reduction or loss of income can mean difficult decisions and hardship for families across Scotland.

“There are sources of financial support available, including benefits and grants, but understanding what is available, and individual entitlement, can be a daunting experience.

“The Advice Direct Scotland and Inbest benefits calculator is designed to provide guidance to Scots who are currently struggling to understand their entitlement to Universal Credit and other benefits and will help ensure everyone is aware of what they can claim.”