Care support refused — Segurança Social · Portugal

Direct answer

Yes, and the refusal must tell you how and by when — usually a written objection within a few weeks to Segurança Social — ação social / Balcão da Inclusão (300 502 502), the body that decided. Ask for the assessment report first: most refusals rest on an assessment that missed something, and a doctor's letter or a specialist report changes the picture. Provedor de Justiça (213 926 600) takes complaints about the procedure and unreasonable delays; Tribunal Administrativo e Fiscal (citius.mj.pt) helps with the objection and represents you at the social court, which is free in most countries.

Call firstSegurança Social — ação social / Balcão da Inclusão

Report toProvedor de Justiça

If that failsTribunal Administrativo e Fiscal

🗣️ What to say

"I object to your decision [number] of [date] refusing [care / support]. The assessment did not take into account [conditions, limitations, daily needs]. Attached: [medical reports]. I ask for a reassessment and, in the meantime, for [interim support]."

🪜 Step by step

Deadline firstThe objection period is on the decision. File a short objection now; the reasons can follow.
Get the assessmentYou are entitled to the report. Compare it with your actual day: what you cannot do, how long things take, who helps now.
Medical evidenceA letter from the GP or specialist describing limitations in daily terms, not just diagnoses.
Object to Segurança Social — ação social / Balcão da InclusãoPoint by point against the assessment. Ask for a new assessment by a different assessor if possible.
Escalate: Provedor de Justiça, then Tribunal Administrativo e FiscalThe ombudsman for the procedure; legal aid for the appeal to the social court.

📇 All contacts

Segurança Social — ação social / Balcão da InclusãoSocial support, dependency, disabilityFor care and support📞 300 502 502 🔗 www.seg-social.pt

Provedor de JustiçaComplaints about public administration, freeWhen the administration does not answer or acts unfairly📞 213 926 600 🔗 www.provedor-jus.pt

Tribunal Administrativo e FiscalChallenges to administrative actsWithin 3 months of the act🔗 www.citius.mj.pt

Câmara Municipal / Junta de FreguesiaNuisances, roads, waste, certificates, lost propertyFor anything the municipality handles🔗 www.anmp.pt

❓ Frequently asked

Can I get help while I wait?

Ask for interim or emergency support in the objection; many services grant it when the need is obvious.

They say a family member can do it

Care by relatives is voluntary; a refusal based on assumed family help is contestable, especially if the relative works or is unwell.

How long does an appeal take?

Months. Which is why the interim request and the medical evidence go in at the start.

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

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♿ My application for care, home help or disability support was refused — can I object?