The first thing you should do is talk to your social care worker or your benefits adviser. If you are a carer, you can also speak to a member of staff at Carers Support West Sussex. They should be able to answer all your questions. Their contact details are in the 'More information' section.
If you feel that the amount we are asking you to pay is unreasonable, or that your personal circumstances are not properly shown in the financial assessment, you may ask us to review your contribution.
If you are not satisfied, you have the right to:
• ask us to stop providing a service;
• ask us to take account of exceptional personal or financial circumstances so that we can review our decision;
• make a formal complaint; or
• make an appeal about the amount of disability-related spending we take into account.
See the 'Comments, compliments and complaints' section for more information.
Someone to help you have your say - an advocate
You may need some help to say what you want. An advocate can help you do this. They can also help protect your rights, represent your interests, find things out for you and get the support you need.
There are a number of advocacy services in West Sussex. For more information about this support, please ask a social care worker, visit the West Sussex Connect to Support website at westsussexconnecttosupport.org or contact our Adults’ CarePoint. See our contact details on the 'Contact us' page.
Some people find it very difficult to plan their social care support and do not have someone to represent them or support them to be involved in their assessment, planning their support or reviewing their care. If this applies to you, we must provide you with an independent advocate to speak on your behalf.
If you can have this support, it will help you to be fully involved in your social care assessment and in planning and reviewing your care. It will also help you if we are supporting you because you are at risk of abuse or neglect. We provide this service free of charge.