How Social Security Scotland can help

Social Security Scotland can help you apply for a benefit. 

You can get help with applications for any of the benefits Social Security Scotland provides. 

You can get someone to apply for a benefit for you if you cannot apply yourself. This might be: 

• a family member 
• a friend 
• a carer, support worker or someone else who helps you 
• an appointee who is acting on your behalf 

You cannot apply for Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance. Social Security Scotland can still help you if you have any questions.

Get help from Social Security Scotland advisers

Social Security Scotland has advisers who can:

• explain how you can apply for a Social Security Scotland benefit
• answer questions about benefits and the application process

You can get help from these advisers:

• over the phone
• in a webchat

Find out how you can contact Social Security Scotland.

If you need more support, you can also ask Social Security Scotland for an appointment with their Local Delivery service.

Get help from independent advocates 

Social Security Scotland can also give you extra support through an independent advocate if you have a:

• physical disability
• learning disability
• mental health condition

An advocate is someone who helps another person to express their views and wishes (for example, at a healthcare appointment). 

Find out more about asking for an independent advocate. 

You can also have a third party representative or appointee to act on your behalf when you’re applying for benefits. Find out more about how someone can apply to act on your behalf. 

Apply in a language that's not English

Contact Social Security Scotland to apply over the phone. You can do this in over 100 languages with an interpreter they’ll give you on the phone. You can also book a call in advance. 

It's free for you to apply in a language that’s not English. This is only available over the phone. 

The online and paper application forms are only in English. 

When you apply you can ask for any letters Social Security Scotland send to you to be in other languages or formats, such as:

• large print
• braille
• Easy Read