A PAYMENT 'holiday' is being offered to Keighley-district residents who receive adult social care services in their home or a community setting.

Bradford Council was due to send out anticipated bills for the forthcoming year from March 30, but has put them on hold until after the coronavirus crisis.

Also, it has delayed issuing year-end adjustments to annual bills for the past 12 months.

Social care support in the community is means tested and most recipients contribute towards the cost of their services.

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s portfolio holder for healthy people and places, said: "This is a really tough time for those who receive adult social care and their families – hopefully this payment is one less thing they will need to worry about.

"We are looking to support these people during this difficult time by removing the administrative burden of making bill adjustments now to reflect changes to their services.

"This means that new bills for services during 2020-21 will not be issued until the current situation has been resolved and our social care customers will not be charged until that point.

"We are aware it has been frustrating for some families as we have had to restructure services to protect our users and those who work in adult social care. I would like to thank everyone for their understanding and hope they will join in thanking the care workers, who are doing an incredible job at this time."

Anyone struggling with payment plans for previous years' social care invoices should contact the council payments team on 01274 437724.