A three-month consultation by Bradford Council to determine how much help the vulnerable and elderly will get in their homes starts soon.

The Council has faced fierce criticism for its proposal to move the bar higher for vulnerable and elderly people receiving help in the home for 2014-15.

Resetting the Fair Access to Care (FACS) guidelines to substantial or criticial so those with moderate needs do not get help to which they currently receive would mean 2,000 people losing out, including 788 aged 18 to 64 and 1,290 aged 65 or over, making a saving of £1.57 million a year for the Council.

The FACS guidelines help determine a person’s care needs and whether an individual is eligible for a service from the Council to help them live at home independently.

People can be assessed as either low, moderate, substantial or critical across the district. A report by the social care overview and scrutiny committee highlights the need for the consultation, the results of which will then go to the Labour-run Council’s powerful executive in September.

The report states: “In line with all councils, Bradford is facing a large demographic growth of older and disabled people at a time of reducing resources. In addition, there is a renewed emphasis nationally on helping people and communities to help themselves so that people have access to a range of community-based support to maintain their health and wellbeing.” Councillor Amir Hussain, the Council’s portfolio holder for adult services, insisted that people with moderate needs would not suffer – whatever the eventual decision. Coun Hussain said: “Nothing has been decided, and it is premature to talk about the effect when we are only consulting people.”

But Liberal Democrat Councillor Jeanette Sunderland has said the benchmark should remain at moderate.

Keith Nathan, the chief executive of Bradford and District Age UK charity, said he wants to hear the views of those who receive the FACS service.

The Council is expected to announce details about the consultation soon.