Non-dependents

Who is a non-dependent?

A non-dependent is someone aged 18 years or over who lives with you. It does not include someone living in your home who has a legally enforceable agreement to pay rent to you or your landlord.

Examples of a non-dependent would be an adult son or daughter, or an elderly relative.

For more information on non-dependents, please download a leaflet by clicking on the link below:

• Non-dependants leaflet (PDF - 718 kb)

How does a non-dependent affect my benefit payment?

If they usually live with you in your home, we normally have to reduce the amount of Housing and Council Tax Benefit that you receive. This is called a non-dependent deduction.

How much are non-dependent deductions?

The amount of deduction made depends on how much gross weekly income your non-dependent has and whether they are working over 16 hours a week.

By gross income we mean all the money they get including earnings (before tax and National Insurance is deducted), social security benefits and interest paid on savings. We will need to see proof of the non-dependent's income, for example pay-slips if they are working or letters from the Benefit Agency if they are getting Income Support or Job Seekers Allowance. If you don't (or can't) show us  proof of their income then we will have to deduct the maximum amount allowed from your benefit.

Attendance Allowance and Disability Living Allowance don't count as income.

The non-dependent deductions are set by government and change every April. See the table below showing the current deduction levels.

Non-dependent Couples:

If the non-dependents living in your home are married to each other or living together as a couple, we add their incomes together and make one deduction from your benefit.

Are you a Joint Tenant or a Joint Owner?

If you share your home with a joint tenant or joint owner and a non-dependent lives in the home with both of you, we will take only half the normal non-dependent deduction off your benefit.

Non-dependent deduction Table (April 2008)

For Each Non-Dependent	Rent	Council Tax
Not in Paid Work	£7.40	£2.30
In paid work & gross weekly income less than £116	£7.40	£2.30
In paid work & gross weekly income between £116 - £171.99	£17.00	£2.30
In paid work & gross weekly income between £172 - £222.99	£23.35	£4.60
In paid work & gross weekly income between £223 - £295.99	£38.20	£4.60
In paid work & gross weekly income between £296 - £368.99	£43.50	£5.80
In paid work & gross weekly income is £369.00 or more	£47.75	£6.95
On a Youth Training Scheme	Nil	Nil
In hospital for more than 52 weeks	Nil	Nil
Who is in Legal Custody	Nil	Nil
Under 25 and receiving Income Support or Income Based Job Seekers Allowance	Nil	Nil
Aged 25 or over and receiving Income Support or Income Based Job Seekers Allowance	£7.40	Nil
In receipt of Pension Credit	Nil	Nil
Who is a full time student*	Nil	Nil

* A non-dependent deduction in respect of Housing Benefit only will apply if a student takes up work during the summer vacation.

When is a non-dependent deduction not made?

A non-dependent deduction will not be made from your Housing and Council Tax Benefit if you or your partner are:

• registered blind
• receiving Attendance Allowance
• Disability Living Allowance (care component)

Deductions are not made from your benefit if the non-dependent adult living with you:

• is aged under 25 and receiving Income Support
  (or Income Based Jobseeker's Allowance)
• receives a Youth Training Allowance
• has been a hospital in-patient for more than 52 weeks
• is a prisoner
• is a full time student
  (although deductions will be made if they work during the summer holiday)
• usually lives elsewhere
• receives Pension Credit