One in four MS sufferers in Scotland have been forced to cut down on gas and electricity, according to the MS Society Scotland
A third of Scots with multiple sclerosis (MS) have been forced to cut their spending on basic essentials, such as food, because of cuts to their disability benefits.
The MS Society Scotland’s findings were taken from a UK wide survey, undertaken by the MS Society, of more than 1,000 people.
The charity discovered over 90% of those with MS found the system stressful and as a result many are missing out on support and are having to make sacrifices many of us cannot imagine in order to get by.
One in four in Scotland have cut down on gas and electricity and nearly half are socialising less with family and friends they told the charity.
A third also revealed they do not claim all the benefits they need because of the stigma attached with doing so.
It is simply not good enough that people in Scotland who have MS are being forced to make difficult choices between heating their homes or attending hospital appointments
The MS Society Scotland is calling for the Scottish Government to do more to tackle stigma and make the welfare system fairer for people with the condition.
Morna Simpkins, director of the MS Society Scotland, said: “It is simply not good enough that people in Scotland who have MS are being forced to make difficult choices between heating their homes or attending hospital appointments.
“People with MS need and deserve more from their welfare system.
“The UK government needs to recognise the reality of living with MS and living with a chronic, disabling and neurological condition such as make basic, common sense changes, fast.
“We also need the Scottish Government to join our fight for those who face poverty, inequalities and discrimination due to the failures of the current system.”
The statistics were revealed as part of the MS Society’s new campaign MS: Enough: Make welfare make sense, which highlights the experiences people affected by MS have in accessing the financial support they need and deserve.
Jamie Ross, 26, from Glasgow was diagnosed with MS in December 2014.
He described the benefits process as a minefield.
“I’ve worked since I was 15-years-old and never had any experience of the welfare system,” he said. “Until recently, I had a professional salary and a typical 20-something lifestyle.
“This is my first experience of claiming benefits, and it’s been a minefield. I’ve been late with my rent, threatened with eviction and have got into debt.
“I’m still waiting for a decision on my Employment and Support Allowance claim, despite telling the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) about my MS diagnosis seven months ago.
“My housing allowance doesn’t pay all my rent, so I make up the shortfall from my disability benefits, which doesn’t leave me with a lot to live on. I’ve had to give up many things that people take for granted, like hobbies and socialising.
“The financial impact of MS, along with mobility problems, can make it a very isolating condition.”
Social justice secretary Alex Neil welcomed the report and the new campaign, admitting the current system was “flawed”.
He added: “This is an intolerable situation for people with MS, as it is for many people across Scotland.
“Where we have responsibility, we are investing to support vulnerable people. We are providing significant mitigation resources but recognise it is impossible to fully mitigate the cuts without control over the welfare system.
“We will do all we can with the new powers coming to the Scottish Parliament to improve outcomes for the people of Scotland.”
