Face-to-face support to apply for benefits

12 August 2021 at 17:31:34

People who live in Dundee City, Perth and Kinross and the Western Isles are the first to access new face-to-face support when applying for Scottish benefits ahead of a full roll out later this year.

The introduction of Social Security Scotland's new Local Delivery service coincided with the launch of the Child Disability Payment last week, the first Scottish disability benefit which needs to be applied for.

Clients can book an appointment to meet with a specially trained adviser at a venue within their local community or at their home and also be able to request video call or telephone appointments.

Client Support Advisers will answer any queries about Social Security Scotland benefits, help to complete paper or online applications forms, offer other support such as identity and document verification and help with submitting change of circumstances information. There will also be an increased range of ways people can apply for payments they are entitled to. 

The service started in the pilot areas for Child Disability Payment ahead of being rolled out across the whole of Scotland from November 2021.

Background 

• the introduction of the Local Delivery service coincides with Social Security Scotland's Child Disability Payment pilot which will provide financial support to children and young people with disabilities
• people living within Dundee, Perth and Kinross, and the Western Isles can book an appointment with a Client Support Adviser by contacting Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222
• face-to-face support will be appointment only and will take place:
  • from venues in local communities
  • in people's homes
  • in hospitals and prisons
  • via video call
  • telephone appointments are also available
• the Local Delivery service will help people to apply for Social Security Scotland benefits only. It will not help complete applications for other types of benefits or provide advice or representation.
• if a client needs support that the Local Delivery service does not deliver, Client Support Advisers will refer or provide people with information on the relevant services that can help.