Disabled get help to claim

DISABLED people in Scotland will get independent support to help them claim new Scottish benefits.

Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “To protect disabled applicants’ rights and ensure everyone is fully involved in decisions that affect them, advocacy support will be provided where necessary.”

Ministers expect the support to be in place by summer next year, when the new Disability Assistance benefit starts being delivered.

Some welfare powers were devolved to the Scottish Parliament under changes to devolution in 2016. Somerville said Scots could expect “dignity, fairness and respect”.