As experts warn that delays increase the risk of homelessness, a West Midlands council is one of the slowest to process new housing benefit claims, taking a month.

Housing charity Shelter said delays in payment make it hard for people to pay their rent while the Local Government Association explains that councils don’t receive enough funding to cover the full cost of delivering housing benefits at a time when they are facing tough spending choices.

The most recent data from the Department for Work and Pensions shows that Sandwell council took an average of 31 days to process new housing benefit claims during the second quarter 2017/18.

Across Great Britain, councils took an average of 22 days to process new house benefit claims and in total councils processed 257,077 new claims, making Sandwell council one of the slowest in the country.

July, when the council took 32 days, was the slowest month during the quarter.

The council processed a total of 2,195 new requests during the same three-month period.

Housing benefit is an income-related benefit that helps people on low incomes to pay their rent.

The processing time counts between the day the claim is received and the day the claim is decided.

Polly Neate, CEO of Shelter said: “Payment delays certainly make it hard for tenants receiving housing benefit to pay their rent on time, or find landlords willing to let to them in the first place.

"However, the biggest barrier of all is that these payments are simply too low and completely out of sync with the cost of private rents.

"The impact on these renters is stark, with thousands living with the looming threat of homelessness.

“The government must ensure housing benefit reflects the actual cost of renting and in the long-term, build homes that people on lower incomes can actually afford to rent.”

New housing benefit claims account for eight per cent of housing benefit claims processed, while 92 per cent were for change of circumstances on existing claims.

Councillor Claire Kober, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Resources Board, said: “Councils take their responsibilities to support residents with high housing costs and low incomes seriously, and do all they can to ensure that those who need support with their housing get it as quickly as possible.

“Councils are only funded for about half of the costs of delivering housing benefits on behalf of the Government.

"Councils face tough choices about whether they make up the shortfall whilst experiencing funding pressures in adult social care, children’s services, filling potholes and other essential services.

“Coupled with our national shortage of affordable homes, councils are already operating under significant financial pressure however, they are determined to do all they can to support their residents.”