Thousands of disabled people in Scotland will receive support through a new Scottish Independent Living Fund (SILF), after UK Government schemes close next summer.
Support for over 3,000 disabled people across Scotland will be safeguarded through the scheme, which will build on existing care through a £5.5m investment.
The UK Government’s support scheme is due to close in June 2015 and has been unavailable to new users since 2010. From 1 July 2015, SILF will take over in Scotland to ensure the protection of its users.
‘Everyone should have the same freedom, choice and dignity to live independently at home, at work and in the community,’ deputy first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, said.
‘Last year we met with disability groups who asked that a Scottish Independent Living Fund be reopened to new users, while protecting the packages of existing users. We were also asked that we jointly develop the scheme with disabled people on a national basis. We have listened to their views, which is why we are protecting existing users and opening the fund to new users.’
‘There is no doubt that people in Scotland are paying a heavy price for Westminster decisions but we will do all we can to help,’ she added. ‘However, only in an independent Scotland will we have the full powers we need to protect our most vulnerable people and help them fulfil their potential in work and life.’
