ELDERLY and disabled EU nationals, children in care and domestic violence victims are in danger of missing the registration deadline for a scheme protecting their health, work and education rights after Brexit.
There have been more than 88,600 applications from Northern Ireland to the EU Settlement Scheme which closes on June 30.
It is open to EU, EEA or Swiss citizen living in the UK before Dec 31 2020 and provides the right to continue living and working, with settled or pre-settled status allowing continued use of the NHS, education, pensions and other benefits as well as to travel freely.
However, there is an under-representation in the region of applications from older people and those deemed as vulnerable or do not have digital experience or internet access/compatible devices.
Commissioner for Older People Eddie Lynch said "there may be many older people who this applies to who are not aware of the deadline or the consequences of not applying".
Among those who have not responded are people with mental health capacity issues, victims of trafficking and hate crimes, looked after children, care leavers and the homeless.
Advice NI called on relatives and carers to help with applications to protect their rights and benefits before the end of the month.
Its dedicated freephone number (0800 915 4604) has trained advisors to assist with applications to secure their status.
Deputy Chief Executive Fiona Magee said those eligible "must seek advice on what they need to do and act now to allow time to obtain the relevant documents required".
