The first advertising campaign of its kind in Scotland in over 30 years to promote disability benefits has just launched, with Scotland's new Social Justice Secretary saying the adverts are not just to help people understand the support available, but also to try to remove any stigma people may feel about applying for social security.

The TV, social media and billboard advertisements were created by working alongside adults and children, who shared with the filmmakers their own experiences of using benefits payments to meet the basic costs that cover their essential needs.

The programme focuses on two benefits now administered by Social Security Scotland that replace Disability Living Allowance for both adults and children, and the Personal Independence Payment:

Child Disability Payment provides financial support to help families and carers with the extra costs of caring for a disabled child or young person or a child or young person with a long-term health condition.

Adult Disability Payment is available to people aged between 16 and state pension age who are disabled, have a long-term health condition or a terminal illness.

Scotland’s Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said the aim of the adverts is to encourage people to get the help that is theirs by right:

“Being disabled or having a long-term health condition can come with a variety of extra costs, such as paying more for accessible transport. We want to make sure that disabled children and adults get all the extra financial support they are entitled to, to ease the impact of those costs.

“This campaign is not just about raising awareness but also has an important role to play in helping to remove any stigma that people may be worried about when applying for social security.”

Ms Somerville encouraged Scots to check their eligibility for both Adult and Child Disability payments:

“We believe social security is a human right. It is here for any of us should we need it and we want to make sure people are accessing what they are due.

“This is the first time that we are proactively promoting disability benefits as part of a national advertising campaign, including adverts on TV. We are not aware of the UK government running a campaign on the equivalent UK benefits for over 30 years.

“I want to actively encourage people to check if they are eligible for Child and Adult Disability Payments and make sure they get extra financial support to help them live full and independent lives.”

The campaign features Piper aged 9 from Edinburgh, pictured above, who has Down Syndrome. Her mum Caroline Milburn says disability benefits have helped cover essential costs as well as give Piper opportunities she’d never have had without them:

“Piper is such a unique character.

"When she was born we were told she wouldn’t walk until she was around six, but she was walking at two. She’s so determined and knows her own mind. If she wants to do something she’ll do it.

“Disability benefit allowed me to buy her a tablet and give her access to games that help her learn. She just thinks she’s having fun but the games have taught her so much. She plays them with her five-year-old brother sitting beside her and he learns with her.”

She explained the role that Scotland’s Child Disability Payment in particular has played is supporting Piper’s wellbeing:

“Child Disability Payment helps cover the costs of buying Piper new clothes and duvets as she is always chewing holes in them. It also allows me to send her to holiday clubs. She loves them and they’re really good for her, but they cost about £40 a week.

“Piper is such an amazing girl and she makes everyone’s lives better. Without disability benefits we’d not have been able to give her all the experiences and opportunities she’s had to learn and connect with the world.”

Social Security Scotland says people should phone them on 0800 182 2222 or visit the website: mygov.scot/disabilitybenefits.

The organisation says people already getting disability benefits from the UK Department of Work and Pensions will see their award transfer automatically and they do not need to apply separately. 

Read more: Call to fix date for ending care charges; MS charity: Scrap 20m rule for disability payment; Fears learning disability champion no longer priority; 

Sign up to our bulletin for key health & social care updates straight to your inbox and you can follow healthandcare.scot on Google News.