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Home > Housing Help > Housing Benefit > Non-dependents

Non-dependents

In this section

A non-dependent is a person who lives with you, other than your partner or children for whom you receive Child Benefit.  This would include an elderly relative or adult child(ren).

How would a non-dependent affect a claim for housing benefit

If you are awarded Housing Benefit and there are non-dependents living in your home, there may be a deduction from your award for those people.

This deduction is made because they may be expected to help with your household costs (even if your non-dependent makes no contribution to your household’s expenses).

For a non-dependent couple (married to each other or living together as if they were married) in your household we will only take one amount.

Exceptions

No deductions will be made if you (or your partner) is:

  • registered blind
  • receiving Attendance Allowance
  • receiving Disability Living Allowance (DLA) care
  • receiving Personal Independence Payment (PIP) daily living component

No deduction(s) will be made if your non-dependent is:

  • receiving pension credit
  • is on a training course
  • is a prisoner for more than 52 weeks
  • is a full time student
  • has been in hospital for more than 52 weeks.
  • is under 25 years and gets
    • Income Support
    • Job Seekers Allowance (Income Based)
    • ESA assessment phase, or
    • Universal Credit with no earned income

Non-dependents do not include:

  • boarders
  • lodgers
  • tenants, joint tenants or sub-tenants.
  • professional carers
  • visitors whose normal home is elsewhere

Amount deducted for a non-dependent

The amount taken off your Housing Benefit award will depend on the non-dependent’s type and amount of income.

We will need proof of their income; otherwise we may apply the highest rate of deduction.

Click on the tables below for the current weekly deductions made for rent and rates which depend on the non-dependent's circumstances.

Circumstances

  • Aged < 25 and in receipt of Income Support or Job Seekers Allowance (IB): NIL
  • Aged < 25 and in receipt of ESA (IR) assessment phase: NIL
  • Aged < 25 and in receipt of Universal Credit calculated on the basis of no earned income: NIL
  • In receipt of Pension Credit: NIL
  • Full time student: NIL
  • In receipt of main phase ESA (IR): £15.25 per week
  • Aged 25 or over and in receipt of IS or JSA IB): £15.25 per week
  • Aged 18 or over and not working 16 hrs or more per week: £15.25 per week

Circumstances

  • Gross income – less than £139.00 per week: £15.25
  • Gross income - £139 to £203.99 per week: £35.00
  • Gross income - £204 to £264.99 per week: £48.05
  • Gross income - £265 to £353.99 per week: £78.65
  • Gross income - £354 to £438.99 per week: £89.55
  • Gross income - £439 or more per week: £98.30

Circumstances

  • In receipt of Income Support or Job Seekers Allowance (IB): NIL
  • In receipt of ESA (IR) assessment phase: NIL
  • In receipt of Universal Credit calculated on the basis of no earned income: NIL
  • In receipt of Pension Credit: NIL
  • Full time student: NIL
  • Aged < 18 and not working: NIL
  • In receipt of main phase ESA (IR): £3.30
  • Aged 18 or over and not working 16 hrs or more per week: £3.30

Circumstances

  • Gross income less than £183 per week: £3.30
  • Gross income £183 to £315.99 per week: £6.55
  • Gross income £316 to £393.99 per week: £8.25
  • Gross income £394 or more per week: £9.90

You can use the Housing Benefit Calculator to see how a non-dependent may affect your claim. This calculation will only give you an indication of how much you might receive, it is not the actual amount. 

Change in Circumstances

It is vital if you have a change in circumstances (for example, if the non-dependent moves out or one moves in) you tell us immediately.  This may affect your Housing Benefit.

Advice disclaimer

The information in this section is for general advice only. We recommend that you contact your local Housing Benefit office if you have any queries.

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Making a claim for Housing Benefit
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