Social Security Experience Panels - Seldom Heard research programme: mobile populations
This report presents the main findings of the two waves of research with mobile populations as part of the ‘Seldom Heard Voices’ research programme.
General experiences of benefits
Most participants from the Mobile Populations strand have experienced adverse circumstances such as physical and mental health conditions, fleeing their countries of origin and/or unstable working conditions. Those experiences have diversely impacted and shaped their access to and experiences with benefits. However, few commonalities can be found in terms of general experiences with the benefit system.
Benefits claimed
Participants claimed, or had previously claimed the benefits listed in below. The most frequent experience with benefits was with Universal Credit (UC), followed by Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
| Benefit | Participants |
|---|---|
| Universal Credit | 13 |
| Personal Independence Payment | 10 |
| Job Seekers Allowance | 3 |
| Employment Support Allowance | 7 |
| Housing Benefit | 4 |
| Child Benefits | 5 |
| Child Tax Credit | 3 |
| Incapacity Benefit | 2 |
| Carer's Allowance | 1 |
| Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for Children | 1 |
Support with navigating the benefit system
Participants from the Mobile Populations group reported a strong reliance on support workers from local authorities, third sector organisations and/or informal support networks to navigate various aspects of the benefit system. Some mentioned having more than one source of support to help them access information and complete benefit processes which commonly included online applications.
Third sector organisations, in particular, those which work on, and advocate for, the specific needs of the Mobile Population groups were highlighted as providing essential support for finding information, completing applications and signposting to further services. Organisations commonly mentioned were: MECOPP, Shelter, Govan Community Project, Saheliya and ELREC. Specific community organisations related with their country of origin were also mentioned as a source of support by some. A small number of participants also mentioned Citizen Advice Bureaux as a third sector organisation to obtain and signpost information of benefits and their entitlement.
Some highlighted that people and friends from their communities, particularly those with whom they share the same language, were key to providing information and support for benefit applications and processes. Participants mentioned that without their help, it would have not been possible for them to access various government services, including the benefit system.
She described how the Support Worker [from MECOPP] "tells me everything I need to know" and helped communicate with authorities when required. So she has helped with providing information on benefits, advising what she is/isn't eligible to apply for, sourcing forms and filling them out, including those done online.
[Gypsy/Traveller]
In terms of obtaining information about services, he learns about this through his friends and people that he knows as well as referrals through various support organisations. These are the best ways of signposting information about services to him.
[Refugee]
She learned about Universal Credit from her friends who are also from Eastern Europe and told her about this support that she could access.
[Seasonal migrant worker]
Contact
Email: socialresearch@gov.scot
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