Who is a non-dependant and how will they affect your claim
Who is a non-dependant?
A non-dependant is usually someone over the age of 18 living with you. They are expected to contribute to housing and Council Tax costs, so we will take a deduction for them living in your home.
Who we will take a deduction for
Non-dependants who we may take deductions for are:
- children who’ve left education and you no longer receive Child Benefit for
- family members
- friends
Who we won’t take a deduction for
We do not take a deduction if the non-dependant is:
- aged under 18
- on Pension Credit
- a Youth Trainee
- in prison or detention
- a patient in hospital for more than 52 weeks
- a temporary resident whose normal home is elsewhere
- a member of the armed forces away on operations
- a full time student during their period of study
- a full time student during their vacation if not in paid work
- a full time student and you or your partner are aged 65 or over
- aged under 25 and receives:
- Income based Job Seekers Allowance
- Income Support
- Income related Employment Support Allowance (assessment phase)
- Universal Credit (without any earned income)
We do not take a deduction for any non-dependant if you or your partner:
- are severely sight impaired or have recently regained sight
- receive the care component of Disability Living Allowance
- receive Attendance Allowance
- receive the daily living component of Personal Independence Payments
How much of a deduction will we take?
The amount of weekly deduction will depend on how much income the non-dependant has. The more income they have the more we will deduct from your Housing Benefit. You will receive a notification letter with our decision. Our letter will tell you the deduction figure we are taking.
Non-dependant in work (2025)
| Gross weekly income (£) | Weekly deduction (£) |
|---|---|
| £577.00 or more | £126.65 |
| Between £463.00 and £576.99 | £115.45 |
| Between £348.00 and £462.99 | £101.35 |
| Between £266.00 and £347.99 | £62.00 |
| Between £183.00 and £265.99 | £45.15 |
| £176.00 or less | £19.65 |
Non-dependant not in work (2025)
| Age and benefit claimed | Weekly deduction (£) |
|---|---|
| Under 18 and not working | no deduction |
| 18 or over and not on Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance (IB) or Employment Support Allowance | £19.65 |
| Under 25 on Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance (IB) or Employment Support Allowance Assessment Phase | no deduction |
| Under 25 on Employment Support Allowance Main Phase | £19.65 |
| 25 or over on Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance (IB) or Employment Support Allowance Income Related | £19.65 |
Non-dependant in work (2024)
| Gross weekly income (£) | Weekly deduction (£) |
|---|---|
| £554.00 or more | £124.55 |
| Between £445.00 and £553.99 | £113.50 |
| Between £334.00 and £444.99 | £99.65 |
| Between £256.00 and £333.99 | £60.95 |
| Between £176.00 and £255.99 | £44.40 |
| £176.00 or less | £19.30 |
Non-dependant not in work (2024)
| Age and benefit claimed | Weekly deduction (£) |
|---|---|
| Under 18 and not working | no deduction |
| 18 or over and not on Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance (IB) or Employment Support Allowance | £19.30 |
| Under 25 on Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance (IB) or Employment Support Allowance Assessment Phase | no deduction |
| Under 25 on Employment Support Allowance Main Phase | £19.30 |
| 25 or over on Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance (IB) or Employment Support Allowance Income Related | £19.30 |