Social Security client and experience panels research: effects of the coronavirus pandemic on communication preferences

A report of findings from research with client and experience panels about communication preferences.

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Annex B: About interview participants

Survey respondents were invited to take part in an interview as outlined on page 17. Information from the survey was matched to demographic information supplied previously by participants, as outlined on page 98.

The following demographic information is included to give context to the findings described in the report. Where information is not held this has been indicated in the tables under 'unknown'.

Over half of interview participants (56 per cent) identified as female. More than a third (37 per cent) identified as male.

Table B1: Gender of interview participants (n=41)
%
Female 56.1
Male 36.6
Unknown 7.3
Total 100

Around one third (34 per cent) of interview participants were aged under 44. Around one quarter (29 per cent) were aged between 45 and 59 and one quarter (27 per cent) were aged between 60 and 79.

Table B2: Age of interview participants (n=41)
%
Under 25 9.8
25 – 44 24.4
45 – 59 29.3
60 – 79 26.8
Unknown 9.8
Total 100


Almost all interview participants were White (85 per cent). Around 5 per cent were from a minority ethnic group.[16]

Table B3: Ethnicity of interview participants (n=41)
%
White 85.4
Ethnic minority 4.8
Unknown 9.8
Total 100

Half of participants (51 per cent) did not have a disability or long-term health condition.

Table B4: Participants with a disability or long-term health condition (n=41)

%
Has a disability or long-term health condition 43.9
No condition 51.2
Unknown 4.9
Total 100

Among those participants with a disability or long-term health condition, around three quarters had an impairment which affects mobility (78 per cent) or dexterity (72 per cent).

Table B5: Types of disability or long-term health conditions (n=18)[17]

%
Mobility impairment 77.8
Dexterity 72.2
Memory 44.4
Learning/understanding/concentration 38.9
Hearing 22.2
Vision 16.7
Social or behavioral 16.7
Stamina 11.1
Has another kind of disability or long-term health condition 22.2
Prefer not to say 5.6

Just over a third of participants (37 per cent) said they were a carer.

Table B6: Participants' caring status (n=41)
%
Not a carer 58.5
Carer 36.6
Unknown 4.9
Total 100

Most participants lived in an urban area (78 per cent). Around one in five participants lived in a rural area.[18]

Table B7: Location of participants (n=41)
%
Urban 78.0
Rural 22.0
Total 100

Interview participants had experience of claiming or helping someone else to claim a wide range of benefits. Table B8 shows benefit experience for Experience Panels participants. The most common benefits claimed were Disability Living Allowance (71 per cent) and Personal Independence Payment (64 per cent).

Table B8: Experience Panels interview participants' benefit experience [19] (n=14)
%
Disability Living Allowance 71.4
Personal Independence Payment 64.3
Winter Fuel Payment 64.3
Cold Weather Payment 50.0
Carer's Allowance 28.6
Severe Disablement Allowance 28.6
Discretionary Housing Payment 21.4
Universal Credit 21.4
Attendance Allowance 14.3
Scottish Welfare Fund 14.3

Table B9 shows benefit experience for Client Panels interview participants. The most common benefit claimed by was Best Start Grant/Foods (60 per cent).

Table B9: Client Panels interview participants' benefit experience (n=25)
%
Best Start Grant/Foods 60.0
Carer's Allowance Supplement 56.0
Funeral Support Payment 24.0
Young Carer Grant 20.0

Contact

Email: SocialSecurityExperience@gov.scot

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