Hundreds of the most vulnerable people in Norfolk could have to pay more than £600 a year for a crucial service they currently get for free.
Reform-led Norfolk County Council - looking to plug a multi-million-pound budget gap - is consulting on changes to a service where County Hall manages the benefit money of adults who are not able to look after their own finances.
Nearly 500 people would be affected by the proposal, which would bring in a £12-a-week charge for the appointeeship service, which is provided to eligible adults who get social care.
The initiative is a money management service for adults, such as those who lack mental capacity or who have severe physical disabilities, who cannot oversee their own finances and have no family members to help.
The council has provided the service for more than 25 years, but with the authority needing to make £35.9m of cuts and savings next year, on top of £42m agreed this year, it is proposed to stop providing it for free.
Council officials said the number of people receiving the service has increased from 249 clients in August 2021 to 498 clients August 2026.
They say that is partly because other organisations which used to provide the service to people who live in the community have stopped doing so.
Officials say the cost of providing appointeeships is currently £296,400, but the increase in referrals means the bill is forecast to increase to £358,000 in 2026/27.
The council says setting a fee to provide the service at £12 per week - which would cost people receiving the service more than £600 a year - would bring in money for the authority and enable it to keep providing a service it is not legally obliged to provide.
About a hundred of the people who currently get the service - those living in the community who pay to receive adult social care - will be able to claim a disability related expense to cover the £12-a-week charge.
That will not be possible for those who are in residential care.
A spokesman for Norfolk County Council said: “The proposal is to introduce a relatively modest administration fee to cover the costs of the money management help that we provide. This is in line with many other local authorities.
"We are consulting with service users, carers and other stakeholders whose views will inform our decision."
But Green county councillor Jo Smith, her party's spokesman for adult social care and public health, said she was against the "unnecessary move".
She said: "I am shocked that the council intends to charge some of our most vulnerable residents around £600 a year for a service that is currently provided for free as part of their care.
"I understand that some residents will be able to recoup the fee from another fund, but this seems to be unnecessarily bureaucratic and will incur costs in itself.
"I am strongly opposed to this unnecessary move."
Consultation over the proposed change is open at https://norfolk.citizenspace.com/consultation/7312c5e6/ until October 12.
The council has sent copies of the consultation to people and to care providers and voluntary organisations supporting those who could be affected.
Online and drop-in sessions will also take place during September.
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