Non-dependant charges

A non-dependant is normally any adult (over 18 years) who lives with you and isn't your partner, for example a son, daughter, relative or friend.

If you're claiming housing benefit or council tax support and are of pensionable age, and you have a non-dependant living with you, it may affect the amount of benefit you can claim.

We may make a deduction from your benefit to represent the contribution the government expects them to pay towards your housing costs and council tax.

This is called non-dependant deduction.

From April 2020 there is no non-dependant deduction from your council tax support if you're of working age.  

How a non-dependant affects your benefit/support

We take a set weekly amount off your housing benefit and council tax support, based on the non-dependant’s income. The more they earn, the higher the deduction will be.

It’s important that you let us know if your non-dependant’s circumstances change, for instance if they change jobs or their earnings change, as this will affect your deduction. Use our change of circumstances form to do this.

Non-dependant deductions for council tax 2020 (pensionable age only)

Aged 18 or over and in remunerative work or in receipt of Universal Credit with earned income working 16+ hours

Weekly deduction (£)   
Gross income £469 or more per week 12.40
Gross income £377 to £469 10.35
Gross income £217 to £377 8.25
Gross income less than £217 4.05
Others aged 18 or over not in remunerative work 4.05
Aged 18 or over in receipt of Pension Credit, Income Support,
Jobseekers Allowance (income based) or Employment 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 4.05

Non-dependant deductions for housing benefit 2020

Aged 18 or over and in remunerative work or in receipt of Universal Credit with earned income working 16+ hours

Weekly deduction (£)   
Gross income £469 or more per week 102.35
Gross income £377 to £468.99 93.25
Gross income £283 to £376.99 81.90
Gross income £217 to £282.99 50.05
Gross income £149 to £216.99 36.45
Gross income less than £149 15.85
Others aged 18 or over not in work 15.85
Others aged 25 and over on Income Support of Jobseekers Allowance  15.85

Aged 25 and under on Income Support, Jobseekers Allowance (income based)
or Employment Support Allowance (income related) (assessment phase only)

 Nil

In receipt of Pension Credit

 Nil
In receipt of Universal Credit with no earned income Nil
In receipt of Universal Credit with earned income working less than 16 hours 15.85

Exceptions to non-dependant deductions

We don't take any deductions for non-dependants where:

  • you or your partner are receiving Attendance Allowance
  • you or your partner are registered blind
  • you or your partner are receiving the care component of Disability Living Allowance
  • you or your partner receive the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment
  • in some circumstances, the non-dependant's on Income Support or Jobseekers Allowance (income based), Universal Credit, or Savings Credit
  • 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