Tens of thousands of people face losing out on vital income as a result of the drive to force benefit claimants to apply online, according to the findings of a new report.

The survey by Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) found that 76% of Scottish benefit claimants using its advice services said they would struggle with new rules forcing them to apply for social security payments online.

Many said they lacked access to a computer, while others said they lacked the skills to use one.

The Government's Digital by Default strategy includes an expectation that 80% of benefit applications will be completed online by 2017, while job centres are also requiring claimants to apply for work through an online portal, or face cuts to their payments.

However, 72% of Citizens Advice Bureaux clients said they would struggle to apply for work online, and 39% said they could not do so at all.

CAS surveyed 1200 people who approached it with a benefit-related inquiry in March, asking them about their ability to use the internet. It found that while 54% of those surveyed had an internet connection at home, only 24% said they would be able to complete an online benefit application without problems and without help.

There are more than 450,000 people in Scotland who claim out-of-work benefits.

CAS spokeswoman Sarah Beattie-Smith said: "Many Scots are unable to use the internet – either because of lack of access, lack of training and skills or having a disability."

A spokeswoman for the Department for Work and Pensions claimed 80% of working age benefit claimants already used the internet.