Non-dependants

What a non-dependant is, and how they can affect your Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support.

What is a non-dependant

A non-dependant is someone who normally lives with you such as an adult son, daughter, relative or friend. Boarders, sub-tenants and joint tenants are not classed as non-dependants.

Can a non-dependant claim Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Support

No, a non-dependant cannot claim Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support for any payments they make for their keep.

The money paid by the non-dependant for their household contribution is not treated as your income, instead a fixed deduction is made from your Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support. The deductions are fixed amounts based on your non-dependant's gross weekly income.

Non-dependant deductions do not apply if you or your partner are:

• registered blind
  
• receiving attendance allowance
  
• receiving the care component of Disability Living Allowance (at any rate)
  
• receiving the daily living component of Personal Independant Payment
  
• receiving Universal Credit and applying for Council Tax Support only
  

No deductions are made if the non-dependant is:

• aged under 18
  
• a full time student
  
• has been in hospital for 52 weeks or more
  
• a member of the Armed Forces who is absent while on operations
  

Non-dependant deductions

The amount we will deduct from your claim depends on the income of the non-dependant.

Housing Benefit deductions from 1 April 2024

Non-dependant aged under 25 and on Income Support or JSA(IB) or ESA(IR) which does not include an amount for the support component or work-related activity component

• no deduction

Non-dependant aged under 25 and on Universal Credit and not in remunerative work

• no deduction

Non-dependant aged 25 or over and on Income Support, JSA(IB) or aged 18 or over and not in remunerative work

• deduction of £19.30

Non-dependant in receipt of main phase ESA(IR)

• deduction of £19.30

Non-dependant in receipt of Pension Credit or a full time student

• no deduction

Non-dependant working 16 hours or more per week with a gross income of: 

• under £175.99 - deduction of £19.30
• between £176 and £255.99 - deduction of £44.40
• between £256 and £333.99 - deduction of £60.95
• between £334 and £444.99 - deduction of £99.65
• between £445 and £553.99 - deduction of £113.50
• £554.00 or more per week - deduction of £124.55

Council Tax Support deductions from 1 April 2024

Non-dependant in receipt of Income Support, State Pension Credit, JSA(IB), ESA(IR) or UC (with no earnings)

• no deduction

Non-dependant aged 18 and over not in remunerative work, or in receipt of Universal Credit (working less than 16 hours)  

• a deduction of £4.90

Non-dependant aged 18 and over and in remunerative work and has a gross weekly income of:

• less than £255.99 - deduction of £4.90
• £256.00 to £444.99 - deduction of £10.05
• £445 to £553.99 - deduction of £12.60
• greater than £554 - deduction of £15.10