Challenging decisions about care and funding
This page covers:
• How people gathered information to help their appeals
• Reasons why people appealed
• Organisations that can help
The care system can be baffling. Many people find themselves in situations they have never experienced or even thought about before. People told us that although they started out knowing nothing about care and funding, they gradually became experts. As people learnt more, they became more confident to challenge some of the decisions made about their care and funding or that of a relative. But even where arranging and paying for care is still all very new, people can challenge a decision about the help, advice or funding they have asked for if they think it is not correct. Most people didn’t challenge decisions as things worked out fine, but here are some examples from people who did.
Appealing a decision
When challenging a decision, people said it was important to gather as much information as possible and that a good place to check things out is online. Several people said that government and NHS websites are clear and accessible. They also told us that Citizen’s Advice can help with information about benefits or point people towards organisations where specialist help is available.
Malcolm feels it is polite to give some general feedback on the study and that a short summary every year would be well-received.
Backdating claims for allowances
Some people told us that they did not find out about eligibility for allowances and discounts for quite some time after they or their relative started paying for care (more about allowances in Benefits and other help with funding care). This meant they had to make a backdated claim. Sometimes this was straightforward but Jacky was turned down a number of times until she eventually succeeded.
Help from local councils and other experts
A few people arranged their care through their local council adult social care department even though they paid for the care themselves. This meant that the adult social care department helped to sort out any problems with the care that was provided. People felt it was really helpful to have the council helping them out.
Many people stressed how important it was to ask for help when things are difficult. Sometimes that help might be given from unexpected places!