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How non-dependants affect your benefit
A non-dependant is often any adult over 18 years old who lives with you and isn't your partner. This could be a son, daughter, relative or friend.
If you have a non-dependant living with you, the amount of Council Tax Support or Housing Benefit you receive may be reduced. This is called a non-dependant deduction. The deduction is the amount the government expects the non-dependant to pay towards your housing costs and Council Tax.
We take a set weekly amount off your benefit based on the non-dependant’s income.
Non-dependant deductions for Council Tax Support
These are the deductions for Council Tax Support for the period 2026-27.
If you're pensionable age
Deductions if the non-dependant is aged 18 or over and in paid work, or in receipt of Universal Credit with earned income working 16+ hours
| Gross income per week | Weekly deduction |
|---|---|
| Under £279 | £5.20 |
| £279 to £484.99 | £10.60 |
| £485 to £604.99 | £13.30 |
| £605 or more | £15.95 |
Other deductions
| Criteria | Weekly deduction |
|---|---|
| Aged 18 or over not in paid work | £5.20 |
| Aged 18 or over in receipt of Pension Credit, Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance (income based) or Employment and Support Allowance (income related) |
Nil |
| In receipt of Universal Credit with no earned income | Nil |
| In receipt of Universal Credit with earned income working less than 16 hours | £5.20 |
If you're working age
| Criteria | Weekly deduction |
|---|---|
| Non-dependant aged 18 or over earning more than £200 per week | £7.50 |
Non-dependant deductions for Housing Benefit
These are the deductions for Housing Benefit for the period 2026-27.
Deductions if aged 18 or over and in paid work, or in receipt of Universal Credit with earned income working 16+ hours
| Gross income per week | Weekly deduction |
|---|---|
| Less than £192 | £20.40 |
| £192 to £278.99 | £46.85 |
| £279 to £364.99 | £64.35 |
| £365 to £484.99 | £105.20 |
| £485 to £604.99 | £119.85 |
| £605 or more | £131.45 |
Other deductions
| Criteria | Weekly deduction |
|---|---|
| Aged 18 or over not in work | £20.40 |
| Aged 25 and over on Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance (income based) or Employment and Support Allowance (income related) (assessment phase only) | £20.40 |
| Aged 24 and under on Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance (income based) or Employment and Support Allowance (income related) (assessment phase only) | Nil |
| Any age on Employment and Support Allowance (income related) (main phase only) | £20.40 |
| In receipt of Pension Credit | Nil |
| Aged 24 and under in receipt of Universal Credit with no earned income | Nil |
| Aged 25 and over in receipt of Universal Credit with no earned income | £20.40 |
| In receipt of Universal Credit with earned income working less than 16 hours | £20.40 |
Exceptions
We don't take any deductions for non-dependants where:
- you or your partner get Attendance Allowance
- you or your partner are registered blind
- you or your partner get the care component of Disability Living Allowance
- you or your partner receive the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment
- the non-dependant's a full time student, or on a youth training scheme
- the non-dependant's in hospital for 52 weeks or more
- in some cases the non-dependant receives Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance (income based), Universal Credit or Savings Credit
Changes to a non-dependant's circumstances
You need to tell us if there's any changes to the circumstances of your non-dependant, such as if they change job or their earnings change. Any changes may affect your deduction.
You can tell us about any changes by filling in our online form.