Stirling District Citizens Advice Bureau has today published its new Plain English Guide to Help Sort out Benefits to help people overcome the system’s complexities.

The new guide consists of a set of factsheets covering a range of topics including Universal Credit, the Scottish Welfare Fund, Basic Bank Accounts and the Under-occupancy penalty (or ‘Bedroom Tax’). The factsheets have been awarded a Crystal Mark by the Plain English Campaign.

The launch was attended by Scottish Government ministers Keith Brown MSP (cabinet secretary for economy, jobs and fair work) and Jeane Freeman MSP (minister for social security).

Stirling District CAB manager, Craig Anderson, said: “The social security system is there to support people who are in need. But in our experience too many people find it complex and difficult to access, and the language used in the system can be a barrier.

“That is why we have produced this new guide to help people understand and navigate the system. We want to set out the basic facts that people need to know, and do so in language anyone can understand.

“We hope that these guides can be of use to all who are affected by the welfare reforms and we are keen that other agencies use them so that the information can be disseminated to the wider community.”