AdvoCard provides independent advocacy support for help with accessing Scottish Social Security entitlements and DWP benefits. The service is available to all who identify as having a mental health condition or problematic substance use.
We know that it can be difficult to engage with benefit agencies or to explain to benefit assessors how your conditions affect you. Independent advocacy can help you with your benefits claim in a number of ways.
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We can:
- Talk to you about your options and make sure you know your rights
- Help you gather the information you need for your claim
- Support you to complete the forms relating to how your condition affects you. For example the work capability questionnaire or the PIP2 form
- Support you through the assessment process by helping you to prepare what you want to say and attend with you if necessary
- Contact DWP, Social Security Scotland or other agencies with you regarding any aspect of your claim, including support to lodge Mandatory Reconsiderations
- Attend job centre appointments with you to make sure you are listened to
- Be there and be on your side
What we cannot do
● Offer advice on which benefit to claim
● Carry out benefit checks
● Provide help to make the initial claim.
● Appeals
If you would like to talk to us about how we may be able to help, or arrange an appointment to see someone, please contact us here.
