A HOLYROOD convener fears his committee's inquiry into benefit changes will reveal a "deficit of dignity" amongst disabled people.
Michael McMahon, chair of the Welfare Reform Committee, has invited people who have switched from disability living allowance (DLA) to the new personal independence payment (PIP) to come to the Scottish Parliament and share their experiences.
It is the latest thread of the committee's "Your Say" campaign which has already heard from people whose benefits were cut because they had extra bedrooms, and former registered disabled people who were deemed fit for work.
DLA claimants in parts of Scotland have undergone reassessment and transfer to PIP, which helps with living costs, since last October
The committee's call for evidence comes on the day the contractor appointed to undertake the reassessment in much of Scotland, Salus, gives evidence on how the change is progressing.
Mr McMahon, a Labour MSP, said: "Before they started this contract, Salus promised us that they would take the best of NHS practice in patient-centred care and apply it to the PIP process.
"Our committee is interested to hear first-hand how this has been working. However, we want to hear from those going through the system as well, to hear from them how they think it has been working.
"By asking those who have experienced PIP to contact us, we hope to be able to shine a light on the reality of life for many welfare claimants with a disability.
"What we have seen with our evidence sessions on the bedroom tax, work capability assessments and benefit sanctions is that people claiming benefits feel victimised. I hope our evidence on PIP does not reveal such a deficit of dignity but I fear that hope could be in vain."
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