A non-dependant is someone, usually 18 or older, who normally lives in your home. They are often:
- an adult son or daughter;
- another relative;
- any adult who does not pay rent or Council Tax at the property.
Non-dependants are not:
- dependant family members for whom benefit is paid, for example, a partner, young son or daughter;
- people who own all or part of your home;
- a joint tenant or sub tenant;
- professional carers;
- someone who lives in the property on a commercial basis.
How is Housing Benefit Affected?
If you have a non-dependant living in your household the amount of benefit that can be paid may be reduced. This is because it is reasonable to expect the non-dependant to make a contribution towards the household expenses.
The amount of deduction is set each year by the government and depends on the income of the non-dependant. For April 2003 to March 2004 the amount of weekly deduction is:
| Non-Dependant | Gross Income | Deduction |
Aged 18 or over and in paid work | £308 or more | £47.75 |
| | £247 - £307.99 | £43.50 |
| | £186 - £246.99 | £38.20 |
| | £144 - £185.99 | £23.35 |
| | £98 - £143.99 | £17.00 |
| | Less than £97 | £7.40 |
| In receipt of Pension Credit (Guaranteed Credit) or aged 25 or over and on Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or aged 18 or over and not in paid work. | | £7.40 |
How is Council Tax Benefit Affected?
If you have a non-dependant living in your household the amount of benefit that can be paid may be reduced. This is because it is reasonable to expect the non-dependant to make a contribution towards the household expenses.
The amount of deduction is set each year by the government and depends on the income of the non-dependant. For April 2003 to March 2004 the amount of weekly deduction is:
Non-Dependant | Gross Income | Deduction |
| Aged 18 or over and in paid work | £308 or more | £6.95 |
| | £247 - £307.99 | £5.80 |
| | £144 - £246.99 | £4.60 |
| | Less than £144 | £2.30 |
| Others aged 18 or over | | £2.30 |
| In receipt of Pension Credit (Guaranteed Credit) and in paid work | | £2.30 |
| In receipt of Pension Credit (Guaranteed Credit) and not in paid work | | NIL |
| In paid work and studying for a qualification accredited by the National Council for Vocational Qualifications (NCVQ) | | |
When is a non-dependant deduction not made?
No deduction is made where:
- a claimant or partner is registered blind;
- a claimant or partner is in receipt of Attendance Allowance or a care component of Disability Living Allowance;
- a non-dependant is a student or receives a youth training allowance;
- a non-dependant has been an hospital in-patient for more than six weeks.
More than one non-dependant
A separate deduction is made for each non-dependant in the household. If two non-dependants are married to each other or are treated as a couple, only one deduction will be made for them. The amount of the deduction is based on the joint income.
