Non-dependant

A Non-Dependant is someone over the age of 18 who normally lives with you on a non-commercial basis such as an adult son, daughter, relative or friend. Some Non-Dependants pay toward household bills. This money is not counted as the claimant's income.

Deductions

Deductions are made from Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support. These are not related to the amount the non-dependant pays. These amounts are set by the government and are applied even if the non-dependant does not pay towards the household bills. The fixed amounts are based on the non-dependant's circumstances. 

In the case of a non-dependant couple; only one deduction will be made. The rate of this deduction will be the highest that would be applied to them individually. If either of the couple is working, the gross income is treated as belonging to them as a couple.

In cases where a claimant or partner is aged 65 or more and a non-dependant:

  • moves into the household, or
  • has a change in their circumstances which would increase the level of non-dependant deduction

The resulting change to Housing and/or Council Tax Support entitlement will be delayed for 26 weeks. Unless you are in receipt of disability premium, which will be lost immediately.

It is important to let the Housing Benefit team know of any changes which may affect your entitlement. You should let the council know of an changes as they occur.

Non Dep Deduction Table 2024

Non Dependent Deduction - gross weekly income

Gross Weekly Income From Earnings (for those working more than 16 hrs pw)

Housing Benefit Deduction

Council Tax Support Deduction (where claimant is Working Age)*

Council Tax Support Deduction

(where claimant is Pension Age)*

Less than £176

£19.30

£4.00

£4.90

£176 to £255.99

£44.40

£4.00

£4.90

£256 to £333.99

£60.95

£4.00

£10.05

£334 to £444.99

£99.65

£4.00

£10.05

£445 to £553.99

£113.50

£4.00

£12.60

£554 and above

£124.55

£4.00

£15.10

 

Other Circumstances

Housing Benefit Deduction

Council Tax Support Deduction (where claimant is Working Age)*

Council Tax Support Deduction

(where claimant is Pension Age)*

Aged under 25 and in receipt of Income Support/Jobseekers Allowance (income based)/Employment and Support Allowance (Income related) - where the award does not include an amount for the support component or work-related activity component/ Universal Credit with no earned income.

£0 (Nil)

£0 (Nil)

£0 (Nil)

Aged 25 or over and in receipt of Income Support/Job Seekers Allowance (income based)/Employment and Support Allowance (income related)/Universal Credit with no earned income

£19.30

£0 (Nil)

£0 (Nil)

In receipt of main phase income related Employment and Support Allowance (award includes an amount for the support component or work-related activity component)

£19.30

£0 (Nil)

£0 (Nil)

In receipt of Pension Credit

£0 (Nil)

£0 (Nil)

£0 (Nil)

Aged under 18

£0 (Nil)

£0 (Nil)

£0 (Nil)

Any other circumstance not listed

£19.30

£4.00

£4.90

 

 

Non Dep Deduction Table 2023

Non Dependent Deduction - gross weekly income

Gross Weekly Income From Earnings (for those working more than 16 hrs pw)

Housing Benefit Deduction

Council Tax Support Deduction (where claimant is Working Age)*

Council Tax Support Deduction

(where claimant is Pension Age)*

Less than £162

£18.10

£4.00

£4.60

£162 to £235.99

£41.60

£4.00

£4.60

£236 to £307.99

£57.10

£4.00

£9.40

£308 to £409.99

£93.40

£4.00

£9.40

£410 to £510.99

£106.35

£4.00

£11.80

£511 and above

£116.75

£4.00

£14.15

 

Other Circumstances

Housing Benefit Deduction

Council Tax Support Deduction (where claimant is Working Age)*

Council Tax Support Deduction

(where claimant is Pension Age)*

Aged under 25 and in receipt of Income Support/Jobseekers Allowance (income based)/Employment and Support Allowance (Income related) - where the award does not include an amount for the support component or work-related activity component/ Universal Credit with no earned income.

£0 (Nil)

£0 (Nil)

£0 (Nil)

Aged 25 or over and in receipt of Income Support/Job Seekers Allowance (income based)/Employment and Support Allowance (income related)/Universal Credit with no earned income

£18.10

£0 (Nil)

£0 (Nil)

In receipt of main phase income related Employment and Support Allowance (award includes an amount for the support component or work-related activity component)

£18.10

£0 (Nil)

£0 (Nil)

In receipt of Pension Credit

£0 (Nil)

£0 (Nil)

£0 (Nil)

Aged under 18

£0 (Nil)

£0 (Nil)

£0 (Nil)

Any other circumstance not listed

£18.10

£4.00

£4.60

 

Additional circumstances where a Non-Dependant deduction will not apply (based on the Non-Dependant's circumstances):

  • receiving a youth training allowance
  • full time student
  • has been a hospital in-patient for more than 52 weeks
  • not living with applicant because they are a member of the armed forces away on operations
  • in prison
  • normally lives elsewhere

Non-Dependant deductions do not apply where you (the claimant) or your partner:

  • are registered blind, or
  • receive DLA (care component), or
  • receive attendance allowance, or
  • receive the daily living component of personal independence payment

*A claimant who has reached Pension Age is anyone who has reached the qualifying age for state pension credit. Therefore, anyone who has not reached this age will count as a Working Age claimant.

Boarders and Sub-tenants

If someone other than a non-dependant pays rent for part of your property, they are classed as a sub-tenant. If that rent includes money for meals, they are classed as a boarder.

Boarders and sub-tenants are treated differently for Housing and Council Tax Support purposes. Instead of taking a set deduction from your benefit for them, part of the rent you receive is used to assess how much you are entitled to.

Contact Benefits

Last updated: 14 March 2024