Getting up, washing or eating may now take more help than when a dependency grade was first awarded. When someone’s independence has declined, a review can be requested with medical evidence explaining the change. There is a dedicated form, so this does not require a fresh initial application.
Deciding what needs reassessment
The Generalitat allows reviews following an improvement or deterioration, or an error in diagnosis or application of the assessment scale. The person concerned, their legal representative or their de facto carer can request one. In the city of València, the council’s procedure requires an existing dependency-grade decision and accepts applications throughout the year.
Before filing, identify which change is needed. A change in independence calls for a grade review. A request to change an awarded support service uses a different form: new preferences, extension or review of the Individual Care Programme, known as the PIA. These requests address different questions.
From the health report to a new decision
- Gather the paperwork. Find the current decision and prepare the standard grade-review application and health report. The medical evidence should explain the change that warrants reassessment.
- Check and register it. In the city of València, the municipal social services centre for the person’s address provides forms, checks the paperwork and can register the request. The council also offers online filing with electronic identification and signature. Anyone applying for someone else must provide evidence of their authority to act.
- Take part in the assessment. The council says social services will contact the applicant to arrange a home visit. The regional directorate responsible for dependency issues makes and notifies the decision.
The regional procedure states that, where a change of grade entails changing the PIA, the administration initiates the steps for a new programme. Filing a review request does not itself award a different benefit immediately.
Both official procedures give a maximum review period of three months and describe failure to decide within that period as positive administrative silence. Keep the registration receipt. If the deadline passes without notification, ask about the case and the effects of that silence; check the relevant decision before assuming that a payment has increased or a service has been assigned.
Current forms are available in the Generalitat’s procedure 3256. For residents of the city, council procedure BS.DP.30 explains in-person help and electronic filing. Check these references before submitting the request.