Advocacy, Benefits & Legal Advice
Approximately 50% of people living with bipolar are prevented from working by their condition. Advocacy services stand by your side helping you navigate complex benefits such as PIP. We also list some other services around rights and the law.
AdvoCard
Independent Advocacy is a way to help people have a stronger voice and to have as much control as possible over their own lives. As an independent charity AdvoCard is separate from organisations that provide other types of services. We are not part of the Council, the NHS, or the Scottish Government, though they fund some of our services.
Legal Services Agency
Legal Services Agency (LSA) is a Scottish Law Centre and Charity committed to defending legal rights and using the law to effect social change.
We do this primarily through providing legal advice, assistance and representation to those who need it most. We believe that everyone is entitled to specialist legal advice when they need it and to have the right expert on their side when things go wrong.
gov.uk: Guidance - Mental health and wellbeing abroad
This guidance explains some differences in laws and practices in other countries as they relate to mental health.
Factors that affect your mental health during travel: Your mental and physical health before and during a trip usually affect how well you cope with travel.
Carer Support Payment
Social Security Scotland's Carer Support Payment replaces Carer's Allowance for people in Lothian from 4th November 2024. If you already get Carer's Allowance, you don't need to apply as your award will transfer automatically. You may be eligible if you: a) are 16 or over; b) provide 35 hours or more of unpaid care a week to someone of any age who is getting certain disability benefits; and c) earn £151 per week or less on average after some deductions.