A new payment is to be made for people who are appealing a disability benefit claim in Scotland under the new social security system.

A Short Term Assistance payment will be available to ensure people are not receiving less money until the decision is final.

They will be able to claim the same amount they were paid before any decision to reduce or stop their payment, while they challenge the decision.

The Scottish Government said it was intended to make sure people were not deterred from seeking an appeal.

Also, the money will not have to be paid back if they lose their appeal.

The Short Term Assistance Payment will be introduced alongside Child Disability Payment, the Scottish Government’s replacement for Disability Living Allowance for Children.

The Government said it aims to reduce the need for people to go through an appeal process but getting it right first time but if people feel they need to appeal they will be able to do so without being penalised financially.

Claimants will first have the right to a re-determination where the claim will be looked at by a different person. If they claimant is still not satisfied they can appeal to the Social Security Chamber of the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland.

Shirley-Anne Somerville, Social Security Secretary said: “People’s lives are complex and making benefit decisions, which take into consideration a whole range of unique circumstances, is difficult.

“Social Security Scotland will gather as much information as we can, working with the applicant, the wider public sector and health and social care professionals to make the right decision first time. However, we know we won’t always get it right and where we don’t, we want people to feel able to challenge us.

“ We know it can be difficult for people when their payment has been reduced or stopped.

“This payment will give people the confidence to ask us to look again and to go to appeal if they feel they need to, ensuring they get everything they may be entitled while working through this process.”