COUNCILLORS are being asked to change the way severely disabled people receiving social care in their own homes are financially assessed.

Durham County Council expects to save about £1m by making people who need non-residential care and receive Severe Disability Premium undergo the same assessment as people who do not receive the payment.

Although existing service users would be protected, the council admits some new users would have to pay more towards their care in future.

The council’s cabinet will vote on the changes when it meets on September 14.

Cllr Alan Napier said the authority faced unprecedented financial pressures and added: “Whilst these new arrangements would save us around £1m over the next four years this is clearly a savings area that we would not wish to visit in normal circumstances.

“We are having to consider savings in service areas like this because of the financial pressures we are facing.”