Scottish Government’s Social Security Experience Recruiting

Social Security Experience Panels. Hello, are you Deaf and using BSL? Have you had experience of Social Security (Benefits)? For example, PIP or DLA, Attendance Allowance, Carers Allowance, Funeral Expenses Payment, Cold Weather Payment, Winter Fuel Payment, or Work Injuries Disability Payment. The Scottish Government has been in contact with an interesting opportunity.

They will set up experience panels of volunteers to help the government improve the Social Security System. This plan is already in the BSL National Plan Action point number 38. If you are keen to be involved as a volunteer, please contact the Scottish Government on the email at socialsecurityexperience@gov.scot. It is vital that Deaf BSL users get involved and share their experience with the government. Thanks.

For full information on the Social Security Experience, see below:

The Scottish Government Experience Panels are 2,400 volunteers who are helping us to build a new social security system for Scotland. Panel members have real experience of the benefits coming to Scotland. Their insight and assistance is helping us to make sure that our new service works for the people who will use it.

If you have experience of the benefits coming to Scotland and you want to contribute to the way we deliver in Scotland, we are recruiting for more Social Security Experience Panel members now. We are looking for people with personal experience of:
Personal Independence Payment
Disability Living Allowance
Attendance Allowance
Carer’s Allowance
Funeral Expenses Payment
Cold Weather Payment
Winter Fuel Payment
Industrial Injuries Disability Benefit

You can find out more about the Experience Panels and register to join at: https://www.gov.scot/publications/social-security-experience-panels-faqs/or by calling our Freephone number 0800 029 4974. People can register online, over the phone or by post.

Being a panel member is voluntary, and panel members will receive regular invitations to take part in focus groups, interviews and surveys. There is no obligation to complete any amount of work and panel members can participate as little or as often as they wish. We work hard to make participating as accessible as possible. Our work with panel members informs key decisions in the design of social security in Scotland.

Please feel free to forward this email on. I have also attached some content that can be shared on social media. If you would like us to send you some leaflets and paper copies of the registration form (with freepost envelopes), please get in touch and tell us how many you would like. If you would like us to come along to any events or provide content for things like newsletters, please email us socialsecurityexperience@gov.scot

A BSL video of the above information is available on Facebook here.