Your care package is cheaper even if needs haven’t changed

It is unlawful for the local authority to try to save money by not meeting your assessed needs. Remind them of this. For example, they may want to stop paying for you to have a support worker to help you go out and do daily activities in the community such as shopping and going to the library. They say you could stay at home and have books and shopping brought to you instead because it is cheaper. In this situation, point out that your assessment says you need help because going out into the community and having support to do things yourself keeps you active and prevents you getting depressed. Tell them that it is unacceptable to be housebound when you are capable of doing things yourself with support and it is vital to your well-being.

If the changes mean you will get a worse service, or affect your health, spell out what you think will happen.

• Do the changes affect your personal dignity?
• Do they make family life much harder?
• Prevent you from being able to get out into the community for work, learning or to socialise?
• Or risk causing your health and well-being to deteriorate? This may be, for example, because you will be physically inactive which will cause problems with your muscles and mobility.

You have a legal right to respect for your private and family life. If possible, get advice about how to include this in your complaint - see Further help on social care.

You may have rights under the Equality Act. Local authorities have a duty to promote equality of opportunity for disabled people. This should affect every decision they make. The changes should not stop you working or studying. They shouldn’t mean you have fewer opportunities than non-disabled people. If they do, get advice - see Further help on social care.