Disability and financial hardship: How disability benefits contribute to the need for food banks in the UK

The research sought to understand the reasons for the overrepresentation of disabled people accessing food banks and the underclaiming of disability benefits among people in disabled households. [...] Scottish Centre for Social Research How disability benefits contribute to the need for food banks in the UK 7 Reasons for the underclaiming of disability benefits and suggestions for improvement Awareness of disability benefits and eligibility criteria This research identified a lack of awareness of eligibility criteria as a reason for the underclaiming of disability benefits. [...] Qualitative research In the second phase of the study, ScotCen conducted 57 semi-structured interviews with disabled people across the UK to explore in depth their experiences and view of the disability benefits system and the drivers of poverty and food insecurity among disabled people and disabled households in the UK. [...] The advert included the contact details of the ScotCen research team to enable 1 6 Scottish Centre for Social Research How disability benefits contribute to the need for food banks in the UK those interested in participating in an interview to express an interest in the study. [...] The interview topic guide covered a range of themes, including participants’ experiences of living with the health conditions and impairments and experiences of the disability benefits system, including the application, assessment and reassessment processes and the sufficiency of the benefits to meet costs related to disability.