THE COSTS of home care could rise for hundreds of people in Huddersfield.

But a Kirklees official has insisted that the rises of up to £180 a week could be met by many of those receiving the service.

Rachel Tanner, head of safeguarding and support management for Kirklees Council, told councillors that financial checks revealed many could afford to pay.

She said: “Up to 42.5% of people could be affected by these changes but in varying ways.

“Each service user will be assessed on their individual services and individual financial circumstances.”

The proposals would bring in an extra £½m for the council in a full year.

The new proposal has been put forward to change the Kirklees’ Fairer Contributions Policy – a scheme which means care costs are supplemented by the council.

The aim is to increase the amount a person pays toward their care from 67% to 100%.

And the plan would also remove the upper limit cap on the amount a person can pay per week, which is currently £205.

A report put before the scrutiny committee for health, well-being and communities yesterday indicated that some service users could end up paying considerably more than £100 extra per week for the home care.

The report, which looked at 2,415 service users, found that per week 278 people will be spending up to another £10,371 people could be spending up to another £20; 186 up to an extra £30; 103 service users could be paying up to another £40 and 44 up to another £50.

One service user could face a hike of up to £180 per week.