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

The following information shows the deductions for Council Tax Support for the period 2026-27.

If you're working age

If you're working age, the weekly deduction made to Council Tax Support for non-dependants is as follows:

Non-dependant criteria	Weekly deduction to Council Tax Support
Aged 18 or over earning more than £200 per week	£7.50

If you're pensionable age

If you're pensionable age, the weekly deduction made to Council Tax Support for non-dependants aged 18 or over who are in paid work, or in receipt of Universal Credit with earned income working 16+ hours, are as follows:

Non-dependant gross income per week	Weekly deduction to Council Tax Support
Under £279	£5.20
£279 to £484.99	£10.60
£485 to £604.99	£13.30
£605 or more	£15.95

Other deductions

If you're pensionable age, other deductions made to Council Tax Support for non-dependants are as follows:

Non-dependant criteria	Weekly deduction to Council Tax Support
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

Non-dependant deductions for Housing Benefit

The following information shows the deductions for Housing Benefit for the period 2026-27.

Non-dependant aged 18 or over in paid work, or in receipt of Universal Credit with earned income working 16+ hours

The weekly deduction made to Housing Benefit for non-dependants aged 18 or over and in paid work, or in receipt of Universal Credit with earned income working 16+ hours, are as follows:

Non-dependant gross income per week	Weekly deduction to Housing Benefit
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

Other deductions made to Housing Benefit for non-dependants are as follows:

Non-dependant criteria	Weekly deduction to Housing Benefit
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.