Other people who live with you

Your benefit may be affected if you have non-dependants living in your household.

Who is a non-dependant?

A non-dependant is someone aged 18 or over, for example, an adult son or daughter, a relative or even a friend who lives with you on a non-commercial basis.

A non-dependant does not include:

• Dependant members of your family, i.e. a partner or child for whom you get child benefit.
• Lodgers or boarders who live with you on a commercial basis.
• Tenants or sub-tenants
• People who own part or all of your home, i.e. a joint owner
• Professional carers.

What are non-dependant deductions and why are they made?

The government expects non-dependants to contribute towards the running expenses of the household, which includes rent and/or council tax.

Many householders receive money from their non-dependants to cover housekeeping costs.  However, even if the non-dependant pays little or nothing standard, fixed sum deductions will still be made from the householder's Housing Benefit (HB) and /or Council Tax Benefit (CTB).

These deductions are calculated on the non-dependant's gross income, so it is important to let us know of any changes in that person's income. If their income increases or decreases this may affect the deduction.

It is also important we are kept up to date with any other changes that occur regarding a non-dependant.

When is a non-dependant deduction not made?

Deductions are not made if you or your partner are:

• Registered blind
• In receipt of Attendance Allowance or care component of Disability Living Allowance.

In addition no deduction is made if the non-dependant is:

• Is aged 25 or under and receives either Jobseekers Allowance (income based) or Income Support.
• Gets a work based training allowance.
• Usually lives somewhere else.
• Has been a hospital inpatient for more than six weeks.
• Is a prisoner or otherwise detained.
• Is in receipt of Pension Credits. Is a student - specific rules apply. Please contact us for further information.

How much is a non-dependant deduction?

The amount of the deduction depends on the level of gross income the non-dependant receives.   The current weekly amounts (from April 2007 and may change from April 2008) are as follows.

Aged over 25 and in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance (income based) or Income Support. Or aged 18 or over and not in remunerative work (over 16 hours) - there is a deduction of £7.40 from HB.  No deduction from CTB.

If they are working full time with;

• Gross weekly income less than £111.00  - a deduction of £7.40 from HB and £2.30 from CTB.
• Gross weekly income between £111.00 - £163.99 - a deduction of £17.00 from HB and £2.30 from CTB.
• Gross weekly income between £164.00 - £212.99 - a deduction of £23.35 from HB and £4.60 from CTB.
• Gross weekly income between £213.00 - £282.99 - a deduction of £38.20 from HB and £4.60 from CTB.
• Gross weekly income between £283.00 - £352.99 - a deduction of £43.50 from HB and £ 5.80 from CTB.
• Gross weekly income greater than £353.00 - there will be a deduction of £47.75 from HB and £6.95 from CTB.

Page last reviewed 13 Feb 2008