A couple has warned a council's bid to save money will have devastating effects on people with disabilities - and accused County Hall of 'rigging' consultation over controversial proposals.
Marie Cockman, 39, who has cerebral palsy, fears she will be affected by Norfolk County Council's proposed changes around care costs, which would see up to 1,600 people pay more for their social care.
Her partner Neil Kinsella said: "These cuts have the potential to have devastating consequences not only for my partner but for all disabled people in Norfolk that rely on the social care system."
The county council is consulting over changes to the minimum income guarantee (MIG) to save £1.2m a year, as part of £42m cuts and savings to balance County Hall's books.
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The MIG is an amount of income disabled people can keep for everyday expenses after costs of council-arranged home care are taken into account.
It is set at £187.13 a week, but the council's first option is to lower it to £171.75 for everyone. The second option would lower it to £171.75 for those aged 25 to pension age and £150.25 for those aged 18 to 24.
Those affected by the change would have to pay between £2.50 and £40 more each week.
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Mr Kinsella, who lives off Old Palace Road in Norwich, has started a petition to allow people to vote for a third option - no cut.
He said: "I feel this is necessary to give people affected by this policy a chance to vote for no cuts but also to show the Conservative-run Norfolk County Council we will not be bullied by their rigged consultation process."
The council says it needs to find recurring savings and the changes would bring County Hall in line with the minimum level set by national government.
A council spokesperson said retaining the current policy would not deliver savings and said: "The consultation gives people the opportunity to share their views. All of the comments we receive during the consultation will be considered as part of reaching a decision.”
Mr Kinsella's petition is at www.change.org/stop_cuts_to_mig, while the council's consultation, which runs until May 17, is at norfolk.citizenspace.com/health/non-residential-care-charging-policy
The council's cabinet will make a final decision on the savings in July.
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