Higher costs proposed for adult social care
BBCAdults needing additional care could be charged more if a council's proposed plans are approved.
Hartlepool Borough Council is looking at introducing new and higher fees for adult social care, which could come into effect from April.
Council officers have recommended the fees for approval and the adult services and public health committee at the Labour-led authority is due to make a decision on Thursday.
A report published ahead of the meeting said the proposals provided "a fair and equitable approach to charging for adult social care".
Adults can require extra care due to illness, disability, old age or poverty.
There are three main changes proposed by the local authority, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
The first change would see an annual increase to care charges in line with inflation.
This means contributions would be increased automatically from April each year, rather than applying an increase at the point of a person's annual review.
Council officers said this would ensure "services are sustainable without large sudden increases".
'Time and resources'
The second change would affect those who receive higher-rate attendance allowance or personal independence payment (PIP), which includes an amount for overnight support.
It would mean that people who receive the higher rate but do not need overnight care would have this amount counted as income in their financial assessment, meaning their contribution would increase by up to £36.50 per week.
The third proposed change is the introduction of fees to the council for managing people's benefits, known as appointeeship.
From April, the local authority would charge a set-up fee of £150 for new users, and introduce a monthly fee of £55 for standard support and £85 for enhanced support.
Officers said the service, which is currently free, took time and resources, demand was growing and the costs were in line with major national providers.
