Housing & Council Tax Benefits

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:

• £322.00 a week or more
  a deduction of £47.75 a week will be made
• Between £258.00 and £321.99 a week
  a deduction of £43.50 a week will be made
• Between £194.00 and £257.99 a week
  a deduction of £38.20 per week will be made
• Between £150.00 and £193.99 a week
  a deduction of £23.35 per week will be made
• Between £101.00 and £149.99 a week
  a deduction of £17.00 per week will be made
• Less than £101.00 per week
  a deduction of £7.40 per week will be made

In addition to the above, a deduction of £7.40 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 £101.00 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:

• £322.00 a week or more
  a deduction of £6.95 a week will be made
• Between £258.00 and £321.99 a week
  a deduction of £5.80 a week will be made
• Between £150.00 and £257.99 a week
  a deduction of £4.60 per week will be made
• Up to £150.00 per week
  a deduction of £2.30 will be made

For any non-dependants who are aged between 18 and 60 and not in remunerative work

• a deduction of £2.30 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.