Adult Social Care Contributions Policy 2024 - 20. Appeal a financial assessment decision

An adult has a right of appeal and can request a review of their financial assessment. Such a review would need to be supported with evidence showing why it is believed that an error or omission has occurred. 

An appeal will be accepted for the following reasons:

• Incorrect dates or amounts have been used.
• The contribution is incorrectly calculated.
• There is additional income and/or expenditure which was not included in the financial circumstances form.
• Costs in respect of an adult’s disability are higher than the disregard of disability benefit income allowed by the Council and are not being met from the Personal Budget.
• There are exceptional personal circumstances concerning the adult’s financial situation that make it unreasonable to pay the assessed contribution. 

The adult will have their charge and financial assessment reviewed by an officer from the Financial Assessment and Charging Team, other than the one who completed the original assessment and calculations. 

The adult will be notified of the outcome of their review within 10 working days of receipt of the original request. This could result in a changed / amended contribution.

Should an adult remain dissatisfied with the outcome of the financial assessment appeal, the next stage would be handled under Walsall Council’s Complaints Procedure.