Source · Select Committees · Scottish Affairs Committee
Recommendation 136
136
We heard that not enough claimants know about the Choices and that this has meant...
Conclusion
We heard that not enough claimants know about the Choices and that this has meant that their uptake is lower than what it could be. Neil Cowan from The Poverty Alliance mentioned in evidence that their research showed that claimants ‘did not know that they could take up their choices, they were not aware of it, so there is obviously some work to do around increasing awareness of the flexibilities.’331 This was echoed by Marion Davis of One Parent Families Scotland who said that the Scottish Choices were hindered by ‘a lack of awareness and understanding around [Scottish Choices]’332 by claimants. Our own survey, (whilst not being representative as the respondents were self-selecting), also highlighted this issue. 63 of the respondents said they claimed Universal Credit and despite Scottish Choices being an option for all of these people only nine respondents said they knew what they were.333
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
Accept. As stated in the response to Recommendation 14, advertising the availability of Scottish Choices in the initial online claim process would not support the Scottish Government’s policy of offering them in the second assessment period. Every claimant eligible for a Scottish Choice is sent an invitation, via their Universal Credit journal, with an offer to apply one or both of the Scottish Choices. The wording of this offer has been researched and tested with users. Help to Claim, delivered by Citizens Advice Scotland, is designed to offer support to claimants until they receive their first full Universal Credit payment. During this time, Citizens Advice Scotland Advisers will identify vulnerable claimants and provide support to access a DWP Alternative Payment Arrangement. DWP meet regularly with Citizens Advice Scotland and would expect their Help to Claim advisers to answer any queries about Universal Credit, including the Scottish Choices.