​Disability charity says more disabled Scots need to know what benefits they're entitled to

Millions of pounds in welfare payments are going unclaimed by people in Scotland who have learning disabilities, a leading charity has warned.

Enable Scotland’s welfare rights service has already helped more than 300 people receiving almost £1 million in welfare payments they either didn’t know they were entitled to or were told they couldn’t get.

The charity is highlighting the service as part of Challenge Poverty Week which runs from 17-23 October and aims to highlight low income families struggling to cope in Scotland.

Enable's service has helped people claim an average of almost £3,000 per person and includes highlights such as one person who was refused Personal Independence Payment (PIP), but when appealed was in fact awarded enhanced rate PIP and standard rate mobility.

He is now £213.95 per week better off and was awarded £13,000 in backdated money.

We will continue to campaign against these changes that can push people with learning disabilities and their families further into poverty - Jan

Steven McAvoy, Enable Scotland’s welfare rights adviser, said: “We often see people that have been told that they are not entitled to a benefit when in fact they are. In this case we helped the claimant appeal against the decision to refuse him PIP and, given the time that had elapsed, managed to get him such a large amount of cash.

“The staggered introduction of Universal Credit and PIP has resulted in a patchwork and complex situation for people having to claim, especially those who have learning disabilities and their families.

“The majority of people we help are referred to us by support workers who find the system impossible to navigate.

“They are willing to help with form-filling, phone calls and providing written evidence, but often don’t know where to start.

“With our advice though, we can get people who have learning disabilities the payments they are entitled to.

“The payments might not always be as much our biggest case, but small amounts can make a big difference to people living in poverty.”

Challenge Poverty Week comes on the heels of MPs voting through reductions to Employment and Support Allowance payments to people in the work related activity group

The changes mean people in this group will lose around £30 per week, making them even more likely to descend into poverty.

Jan Savage, Enable Scotland’s executive director of campaigns and external affairs, said: “In times of welfare reform and benefits cuts our Welfare Advice Service could not be more necessary for people who have learning disabilities, and their families.

“As well as supporting people to get the benefits they are entitled to, we will continue to campaign against these changes that can push people with learning disabilities and their families further into poverty and isolate them from their communities.”