The new benefits system is online only, so the added investment will be used to help claimants who struggle to use a computer or do not have access to one.
It was one of a raft of 30 recommendations from the cross-party Universal Credit Short Life Working Group that were approved at the final full meeting of Stirling Council before the summer recess.
It was also agreed that a new cross party Councillor/Officer Universal Credit group will be set up to oversee Stirling Council’s attempts to continue to help mitigate the impact of the new benefits system.
Working group chair – and Convenor of the Community Planning and Regeneration Committee - Councillor Chris Kane said: “This £200,000 will help the Stirling Council tool up to help people deal with the new Universal Credits system.
“Lots of Universal Credit applicants do not necessarily have access to a computer or are able to use one so this money will go towards having additional staff in the Advice Team and in our libraries to support anyone who needs help fill in the online forms.
“The recommendation to approve an additional £200,000 to provide extra digital support staff and better computers in our libraries was fast-tracked earlier this year as a matter of urgency.
“The cross party group and services across Stirling Council worked together to come up with 30 recommendations to ensure the introduction of Universal Credit goes through as smoothly as possible.
“Over the last few months, we’ve challenged every area of Stirling Council’s operations with the question, ‘Are any of our systems and procedures making life more challenging for Universal Credit claimants at an already difficult time?’.
“We’ve considered everything from the way we consider rent arrears to refuse uplifts for old sofas.”
Vice Convenor of the Community Planning and Regeneration Committee, Councillor Maureen Bennison added: “The immediate challenge was what we could do right now to support our citizens with Universal Credit?
“We are confident that our recommendations will ensure our procedures are robust and compassionate.
“The approval of the cross-party group’s report shows that Stirling Council is being pro-active in ensuring issues arising from the introduction of Universal Credit are ironed out.
“However, as universal credit is evolving, I’m also concerned that new challenges will emerge, which is why we’ve established an ongoing working group to keep on top of things.”
Additional funding of £200,000 has been allocated from the 2018/19 budget to help meet current and developing demand for digital access support for Universal Credit claimants.
Universal credit operates wholly on a digital basis so requires claimants to have regular access to the internet via computers, tablets or mobile phones.
Stirling Council’s investment addresses concerns that those on low wages or unemployed might end up disadvantaged because they are most likely to be unable to have digital skills or access.
Other issues being addressed include revision of the current tenancy related debt period applied by Housing, including for charges payable by those in temporary homeless accommodation.
Additional recommendations now being tackled include providing support for particularly vulnerable tenants, including young people in or leaving Council Care.
And the Council will continue to work on increasing the take up of school clothing and footwear grants and free school meals to support families with school age children.
Stirling Council has increased the new Scottish Government approved £100 minimum school clothing grant to £130 per eligible child.
The Scottish Government and COSLA announced last month that 120,000 families across Scotland will benefit by the payment doubling from £50 for the 2018/19 school term.
But Stirling Council’s Finance & Economy Committee has gone even further by boosting the minimum grant to £130.