Wichita ? Three low-income Sedgwick County residents with disabilities are suing the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services for cutting their aid.

The three have received medical insurance and cash for food, shelter and other needs from the state. But they now are among an estimated 891 Kansans with mental or physical disabilities whose state assistance will run out by June. About 487 Kansans were to lose their assistance Thursday.

Nearly 4,000 Kansans receive help through the state program, but a new regulation means the assistance is available for only two years.

The state Legislature enacted the two-year limit in 2002 to cut costs, said Kyle Kessler, a spokesman for the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services. The move will save the state $1.4 million in fiscal year 2004 and $3.1 million the year after, Kessler said.

“It’s not that it’s a bad program at all, but the cost is borne almost totally by the state,” he said. “We’re trying to make a lean government leaner.”

Wichita lawyer Jim Lawing is seeking a court order to prevent the state from taking away the assistance from his three clients, who say they need the money to pay for utilities, transportation and clothing.

According to the suit, filed Wednesday, one plaintiff relies on the medical insurance for his seven medications. Without assistance, he said, his mental and physical health will rapidly deteriorate and he will become homeless.

A hearing is set for Jan. 16 in the case.

The cuts affect the state’s most vulnerable residents and also may increase the demand on local agencies, placing a bigger burden on the community, said Marilyn Cook of Comcare, Sedgwick County’s mental health agency.

“There’s just a lot of people in need right now,” she said. “It will have a wide effect by the time it’s done.”

The General Assistance program provides up to $196 a month for food, transportation, rent or other living expenses for disabled adults who have no children and are unable to work. The average participant receives $158 a month — $1,896 a year, Kessler said.

In addition, MediKan provides basic health insurance, including mental and physical health care and prescription medication.

The state-funded programs are intended to be transitional while recipients work to get federal Social Security disability payments, Kessler said.

SRS officials are working to help link those whose assistance will run out with other services, Kessler said.