THOUSANDS of housing benefit claimants have been hit with a payment delay due to a technical error.

Basildon Council confirmed a fault prevented 2,000 residents across the borough from receiving their fortnightly benefit payments.

The support helps residents to pay for their rent, and is now due to be paid on Wednesday or Thursday, depending on which bank they use.

Campaigners have urged the council to step in and help residents who are affected by the issue.

Dave Murray, who heads up Basildon Against the Cuts, believes costs are “spiralling out of control.”

He said: “In this time where rent prices are extortionate, people are struggling to make ends meet.

“People need this support, as it’s their only way of having a roof over their heads. Sometimes a late payment can be the difference between paying the rent, and it’s a serious matter.

“I would hope the council will step in and people won’t lose their homes over this.”

Stuart Sullivan, councillor responsible for resources, apologised for the delay, and insisted the council will do all it can to prevent people from being out of pocket.

He said: “We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused by the technical issue affecting some benefit claimants who were due to receive their payment yesterday.

“We would advise any claimant who is due to make a payment, for example to a private landlord, before this, to contact their landlord to explain that this is a council technical issue and direct them to the message on the front page of our website basildon.gov.uk so they can see that it is something out of the claimant’s control.

“If an affected claimant does suffer financially as a result of the technical issue – the council will try and work with them to make sure they are not left out of pocket.”