CUMNOCK and Doon Valley residents with hearing loss are being urged to use a charity’s social security advocacy service if they have any benefits queries.

Action on Hearing Loss Scotland offer information, advice and, where possible, formal representation to challenge benefits decisions for people who are deaf or have hearing loss – including British Sign Language (BSL) users.

The service is backed by Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley MSP and health minister Jeane Freeman.

She said: “It is important that everyone entitled to social security support can access information or advice in ways which they can fully understand.

“I’m pleased to see Action on Hearing Loss Scotland providing this service and encourage deaf or hard of hearing people in Cumnock and Doon Valley to use the charity’s support if you have queries, claims or want to make an appeal about social security benefits.”

Teri Devine, director of Action on Hearing Loss Scotland, added: “If you are deaf or have hearing loss and need some help to understand what processes to follow to apply for support you may be entitled to, or are confused about letters you have received regarding your benefits, we would be delighted to help you make sense of it all.”

For information about, call telephone: 0141 341 5346, text: 07388 227407 or email: SocialSecurity@hearingloss.org.uk. British Sign Language users can contact via the ContactSCOTLAND-BSL service.