Supporting you to update your Universal Credit journal

Recently, you should have received a letter letting you know that our rents will be increasing by 4.8% from the beginning of April 2026.  To support you with this change, we’re hosting some extra Universal Credit support sessions to help you make the changes to your Universal Credit journal when our rents increase.

We understand that any rent increase can be difficult. However, the costs of providing our services have risen over the past year, and we need to adjust rents to continue covering these expenses. We’d like to remind you that we’re here to support you.

We explained in your rent increase letter that if you receive the housing element of Universal Credit, you’ll need to let the Department of Works and Pensions (DWP) know by updating your journal from 6 April 2026 with your new rent amount.  

Throughout April and May, we’re hosting these additional Universal Credit support sessions so we can help you to make these changes. Our Financial Inclusion team will be available at each drop-in session to help update the rent on your Universal Credit journal if you need a hand.

Our sessions are drop-in, so you don’t need to book an appointment. Just be aware that you may need to wait a little while to speak to someone if the drop-in is busy.  

Please remember to bring the rent increase letter we sent you and your UC journal login if you claim online — it’ll help us support you more quickly.  

• You can find out more about our Universal Credit support sessions and what we can help you with on our website. 

• Call us on 0330 355 1000 (Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm)  
• Contact your Neighbourhood Officer directly
• Visit your local Neighbourhood drop-in for face-to-face support
• Or fill in our contact us form and we’ll get back to you