by political editor Paul Francis

More than 5,000 elderly and disabled people are likely to pay more for care support from Kent county council under plans unveiled by social services chiefs today.

KCC is proposing changes to charging arrangements that will affect about 5,300 residents who have help in their homes – such as with personal bathing, meals and shopping.

Charges for the costs of some transport are also expected to be introduced.

The proposals are aimed at helping KCC raise more income as demand for care increases as the number of elderly and frail residents rises.

About 530 people who currently receive free care to help with mental health problems also face paying some of the costs for the first time.

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Although some 6,000 people who qualify for some kind of care will be unaffected because they already either pay all of the costs of their care or qualify for free care, an estimated 5,300 are likely to face making some kind of additional contribution.

Average care packages under KCC’s domiciliary care scheme now costs the authority about £35 a week.

How much individuals may pay will vary but the council says it now intends to increase the amount of available income that is taken into account when working out a person’s charge from 85 per cent to 100 per cent.

It has also set out plans that would mean a reduction in the money allocated for people living with a disability from £21 to £17.

The proposals would together save the authority about £2.9m at a time when it is under pressure because of a reduction in government grants, coupled with increasing demand for services.

KCC pointed out that it was following in the footseps of many other councils and emphasized that it was retaining services for residents with moderate needs, unlike several.

Cllr Graham Gibbens, KCC cabinet member for adult social care, said: "The extramoney from these new and increased charges means that more people will be able to get services they need.

"These are services that could help people stay out of hospital or residential care.

"This together with keeping eligibility criteria at moderate means that the council is able to get support to more people."

Every person would be assessed to determine what they should pay, he added.

A 12-week consultation on the proposals runs until the end of July.

Full details are available atwww.kent.gov.uk/fscchargingand three public meetings are scheduled to take place to explain the plans in June.