RALEIGH – More than 300 people packed the legislative building Wednesday to urge state lawmakers not to cut funding for at-home personal care assistance.

Nearly 40,000 disabled North Carolina residents receive at-home care through the program. But the Department of Health and Human Services says an independent assessment shows nearly half of those getting assistance don't qualify for it, and 40 percent get more help than they need.

Officials say that ends up costing the state tens of millions of dollars every year.

But advocates say cutting the program will end up costing the state even more.

“It's beneficial to the taxpayer who has to foot this bill to keep this patient at home,” Tim Rogers, CEO of the Association for Home and Hospice Care of N.C., said. “It costs the state of North Carolina bout $700 to $750 a month versus $1,800 or even $3,500 a month for skilled nursing care or care in an adult care facility.”

The secretary of health and human services says under a proposed restructuring plan, the state would eliminate services for nearly 60 percent of those currently enrolled in the program. That's more than 20,000 people.

Program supporters say those types of cuts could also cost thousands of North Carolina jobs.