New financial support hub set to offer ‘one-stop’ portal for disabled people

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A new survey suggests that nearly three-quarters (73%) of people with disabilities have delayed contacting an essential service provider because it seemed too daunting.

This could mean they are potentially missing out on much-needed support and important information, according to credit information company Experian, which commissioned the research.Nearly three in 10 (28%) people with disabilities said their finances have been negatively affected by not being able to easily contact essential services.

Experian has now launched a free-to-use ‘support hub’ in collaboration with major brands including HSBC UK, Nationwide Building Society, Tesco Bank, consumer credit provider NewDay, Co-operative Bank and Ovo.The hub aims to offer a ‘one-stop’ portal for people to tell multiple businesses how they need to be contacted and what support they need to access their service.

This could include preferred methods of communication such as letter, telephone, or email, or other requirements such as needing a longer appointment, or being accompanied by another adult to assist them.Experian said the hub does not require consumers to disclose their disability - only the support they require from the organisations they use.