Scotland's Social Justice Secretary has branded websites that charge for help with benefit applications "despicable" after reports emerged of vulnerable Scots agreeing to hand over a percentage of their pay-outs to third parties.
Shirley-Anne Somerville spoke out following the Record's initial reporting on the trend, in which private companies use aggressive social media advertising to claim they can help applicants navigate online forms for payments such as the Adult Disability Payment (ADP) and Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP). These firms often demand high fees or a percentage of the benefit payments in return for completing the forms.
Minister's Warning
"You should never have to pay money to people to help you fill out an application form for benefits," the SNP minister said as she pledged action on the issue. Speaking to the Record, Somerville said she had spoken to Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) regarding the growing problem, which could lead to a renewed campaign to remind the public of the free advice available to them.
"It's despicable to see any company knowingly take money from a person that may be in a very vulnerable state, when they're trying to get a benefit they are entitled to," the MSP said. "The work Citizens Advice Scotland has done to raise this issue is really welcome. I met with them recently to discuss this issue, and to see what more we can do to raise awareness among the public that there are many ways you can find free and independent advice."
Unregulated Sector
Benefits advice is not regulated in the UK, meaning anyone can offer their services and ask people to pay for it. In one shocking example, the family of an elderly Scottish man was chased by a private advice firm after he died before his first benefit payment was awarded.
Emma Jackson, assistant director of policy at CAS, said: "From the evidence we've seen, it appears that aggressive social media marketing is being used by companies to get their adverts in front of an audience who would be most likely to need the payments. We've seen some spurious claims around guaranteed success - and no advice organisation can guarantee somebody will get an entitlement. It's setting people up with a high level of expectation."
Free Advice Available
Jackson added: "From our experience, we've seen people charged a flat fee or a percentage of the payment they're eventually given. But every pound of every social security payment really matters to individuals right now - and the loss of that risks pushing people further into hardship or poverty."
Independent charities have stressed that all Scots are entitled to free advice when applying for social security. CAS offers in-person appointments at its advice centre where an adviser can talk through an application form. Its advisers can also check over completed forms, and some locations may offer home visits.
