Eligibility Criteria

Anyone who self identifies as disabled is eligible to apply.

If a person considers themselves to have a disability and needs help to communicate or engage with Social Security Scotland during any part of the benefits process, they are eligible.

This includes (but is not limited to) people with:

• Sensory disabilities
• Mental health conditions
• Learning disabilities

Parents, carers or guardians making a claim for a disabled child

Eligibility applies if:

• The parent/carer is disabled and needs advocacy support, or
• The child wants to take an active part in the claim and needs support

No formal definition of disability is required

The legislation does not define disability. A person simply needs to consider themselves as having a disability and requiring advocacy to engage effectively.

What advocacy covers

Advocacy can support a client through the whole benefits journey, including:

• Application
• Redetermination
• Appeals
• Attendance at assessments (if requested)