Housing benefits have seemingly become a ‘postcode lottery’ with Bolton’s vulnerable waiting almost a month to receive it, figures show.

It takes an average 24 days for Bolton pensioners or homeless to have their housing benefit claim processed, according to the latest Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) research.

In nearby Ribble Valley, it takes less than a third of that time – five days. While in Oldham, it takes 19.

Housing benefit is an income-based pay-out that helps pensioners, unemployed people and homeless waiting for temporary accommodation pay their rent.

Also, those needing supported housing that provides extra care to live independently.

From January to March 2024, Bolton Council took a total of over 8,000 days to process housing benefits.

In that time, 341 people received them.

According to DWP data, many areas of the UK are much slower at processing housing benefits than others.

It takes Lewes, East Sussex the longest, an average 69 days and the least, four days, in Hampshire’s Rushmoor.

Bolton is 270th fastest in the country while Ribble Valley is close to the top at 3rd.

A Bolton Council spokesperson said: “Many people are dependent on housing benefit and we understand how important it to them to get the support they need quickly.

“We make every effort to process benefit claims in a timely manner but are obliged to fully check that applications are correct and that the minimum supporting evidence is provided and verified. 

“Processing times vary by area, with larger towns and cities being more adversely affected as a result of local economic conditions, seasonal changes in demand, and greater pressures on access to affordable housing.

“We closely monitor our performance for processing times which is in line with comparable local authorities, and we are constantly looking at ways to improve the service. 

“Anyone needing help with benefits, debts, money advice, and with the cost of living in general can check out what is available at Cost of living – Bolton Council.”

And more people have needed housing benefits.

The number of homeless households in England has been the highest since records began, according to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s latest figures.

Over 94,000 households sought assistance from their council from January to March of 2024 – up by 11 per cent from the same period last year.

Of these, only about 86,000 received help, according to the homelessness charity Crisis.

Matt Downie, Chief Executive at Crisis, said: “We are at a crossroads and unless we take a different course of action, we risk seeing the homelessness system completely collapse.

“That is why we're calling on the government to increase council funding in the immediate term, so that those needing support have a safe place to stay now.

“Going forward, alongside the positive steps to build more social housing we need a unit for ending homelessness to be established at the heart of government.

“Only this action will put us on a path to ensuring that everyone has the security of a safe home.”