People with learning disabilities and their families in Scotland are struggling financially, according to a new report by the Fraser of Allander Institute and the Scottish Commission for People with Learning Disabilities.
Researchers surveyed 24 individuals with learning disabilities and their families and found that three quarters were not meeting the Minimum Income Standard – a measure which sets out what the public agrees is needed to live in dignity.
Participants most often struggled to afford heating their homes, going out, holidays, food, and phone contracts. Over half of households in the research were in poverty when benefits designed to meet the additional costs of disability were excluded from incomes.
Disincentivising progression
In interviews, individuals with learning disabilities described difficulties navigating both the social security and social care systems. People with learning disabilities have a right to independent advocacy, a service which can help them get the benefits and care they need. However, many participants were not able to access this service. This meant that many families in the study were not receiving adequate care, and they did not feel equipped to manage changes to their benefits.
In some cases, certain elements of benefits were disincentivising progression in work for people with learning disabilities.
The researchers found many participants needed help with budgeting and understanding bills, which was sometimes provided through social care. Those who had access to the help they needed felt more financially secure.
Ruth Callander, Evidence Lead at the Scottish Commission for People with Learning Disabilities, said: “These are results we have seen anecdotally for many years. The research published today provides clear evidence that people with learning disabilities are often not able to do the things they want to do that would help them live a full life.
If Scotland is to meet its poverty targets for 2030, the government will need to consider the adequacy of disability benefits, as well as how support such as independent advocacy and social care can best serve people with learning disabilities.
Disability benefits
It is not yet clear how proposed changes to UK disability benefits will affect Scotland, which the Fraser of Allander Institute has commented on previously. People receiving Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in Scotland are currently being transferred over to the new Scottish benefit Adult Disability Payment (ADP), which will need to be addressed if the PIP assessment is to replace Universal Credit’s Work Capability assessment as proposed.
Chirsty McFadyen, economist at the Fraser of Allander Institute at the University of Strathclyde, said: “Our research is particularly timely in light of the recently announced cuts to disability benefits, and the upcoming Spring Statement from the UK Government. Changes to benefits were a source of stress for people with learning disabilities and their families.
“Many people with learning disabilities are already going to be transferring from Employment and Support Allowance to Universal Credit over the next two years. The Government will need to ensure that further changes are communicated clearly, in good time, and in accessible formats.
“The proposed changes to disability benefits may affect people with learning disabilities—both those in work and those seeking employment—in a variety of positive and negative ways.
We will return to this issue after the Spring Statement is released and the Green Paper consultation concludes, when we expect to have a clearer understanding of the potential impact on the Scottish Government’s budget and how they may plan to respond.
“We’ve also heard cuts to public services are likely, which could cause further problems with care provision for people with learning disabilities. We will be watching the Statement closely for further information.”
Evidence gap
A learning disability is a significant, lifelong condition that starts before adulthood, which affects development and means a person needs help to understand information, learn skills, and cope independently. A learning disability is not necessarily a medical diagnosis, but it can be part of a diagnosed condition such as Down syndrome or autism.
People with learning disabilities are often underrepresented in national surveys used by the UK and Scottish governments to measure poverty. This latest research project fills a crucial evidence gap by collecting detailed information on the finances and experiences of people with learning disabilities and their families across Scotland.