Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction
Non-dependants
What is a non-dependant?
A non-dependant is someone who lives with you on a regular basis and is someone who is not dependant on you for financial support. Non-dependants can be people such as an adult son or daughter or an elderly relative. Some people are not treated as non dependants. These include:
- sub tenants (rent received exclusive of meals)
- boarders (rent received including meals)
- foster children
- children you receive Child Benefit for
- joint tenants
- joint owners
- people visiting who normally live elsewhere
- carers who are engaged by voluntary or charitable organisation which charges for the care, even if it is paid by another person
If you have a non-dependant living with you it may affect the amount of Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit you are entitled to.
Non-dependant deductions in respect of Housing Benefit
Non-dependants under 60
If you are claiming Housing Benefit and you have a non-dependant living in your household, a deduction has to be made from your entitlement if the non-dependant falls within a certain group. For non-dependants who work for more than 16 hours a weeks and have a gross income of:
- £394.00 a week or more
a deduction of £73.85 a week will be made - Between £316.00 and £393.99 a week
a deduction of £67.25 a week will be made - Between £238.00 and £315.99 a week
a deduction of £59.05 per week will be made - Between £183.00 and £237.99 a week
a deduction of £36.10 per week will be made - Between £124.00 and £182.99 a week
a deduction of £26.25 per week will be made - Less than £123.99 per week
a deduction of £11.45 per week will be made
In addition to the above, a deduction of £11.45 a week will also be made for non-dependants over the age of 25 who are in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance (Income based), non-dependants who are over the age of 18 but who are not working and non-dependants who work less than 16 hours per week or earn less than £123.99 per week.
Non-dependants over 60 and in receipt of Pension Credit
No deduction applies.
Non-dependant deductions in respect of Council Tax Benefit
Non-dependants under 60 and over 60 but not in receipt of Pension Credit
If you are claiming Council Tax Benefit and you have a non-dependant living in your household, a deduction has to be made from your weekly entitlement if the non-dependant falls within a certain group. The groups for which a deduction will be made for Council Tax Benefit purposes are:
For non-dependants who work for more than 16 hours a weeks and have a gross income of:
- £394.00 a week or more
a deduction of £9.90 a week will be made - Between £316.00 and £393.99 a week
a deduction of £8.25 a week will be made - Between £183.00 and £315.99 a week
a deduction of £6.55 per week will be made - Up to £182.99 per week
a deduction of £3.30 will be made
For any non-dependants who are aged between 18 and 60 and not in remunerative work
- a deduction of £3.30 will be made
Please note that from 6th October 2003 there will be a delay of 6 months before implementing any increase in Council Tax Benefit non-dependant deductions for all claimants over 65 in receipt of Pension Credit. Also please note that there are certain cases where non-dependant deductions do not apply. If you require further details on these cases please do not hesitate to contact a member of staff in the Housing Benefits and Council Tax Benefits section.
