Household Support Fund

Rent increase letters - what to expect and what to do

If you receive Housing Benefit and are renting a Housing Association Property, we are normally told about your yearly rent increase by your Housing Association.

In March, you will get an update through the post showing your Benefit Entitlement from April 2026. If your rent has increased and that is not reflected in the letter we send you, please email your rent increase letter to [email protected] or alternatively bring it in to a Council office.

If you get Universal Credit, you can update your Housing Costs on the Universal Credit portal and provide the proof.

Household Support Fund

The Household Support Fund (HSF) continues up to March 2026. This is called HSF7.

After March 2026, the Government will stop the HSF. A new fund called the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) will take its place. We will share more details about the CRF when we have them.

West Northamptonshire Council has agreed on how to use the HSF7 money.

This includes:

giving food vouchers to about 12,700 families with children who get free school meals during school holidays
letting these families apply for vouchers to help buy school items and warm winter coats
giving out Winter Warm Packs and Energy Saving Packs through our Welcoming Spaces
giving money to local charities and community groups so they can help people in need
working with trusted partners to give advice and help with:
- money and debt
- saving energy
- getting energy-saving items
- other household support

We also offer extra help to support families in the long term, not just in emergencies.