Vital new funding will help claimants access benefits

A north-east charity has been given more than £40,000 as part of the Scottish Government’s bid to support hard-to-reach groups.

The funding is part of the Scottish Government’s Benefit Take-Up Strategy, launched in October 2019.

North East Sensory Services (NESS) was awarded £42,665. The organisation focuses on helping people with hearing and sight impairments.

Graham Findlay, chief executive of NESS, said: “This funding is vital to upskill our staff team with specialist knowledge so we can provide essential support to those who need help navigating the benefits system.

“The support we provide reaches more than 6,500 blind and deaf people across the north-east of Scotland.

“We provide a statutory social working rehab service as well as a wide range of charity-funded added value services.”

Organisations which will help to maximise the take-up of benefits and household incomes in Scotland have been awarded £600,000.

A total of 26 bodies from across the country received allocations to support single parents and people with particular barriers such as mental or physical disabilities to apply for Scottish social security benefits.

Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “We believe social security is a human right and an investment in the people of Scotland.

“That is why everyone who is eligible to apply for benefits should have the support they need.”