Non-dependants

What is a non-dependant

A non-dependant is someone who normally lives with you such as an adult son, daughter, relative or friend. Boarders, sub-tenants and joint tenants are not classed as non-dependants.

Can a non-dependant claim Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support

No, a non-dependant cannot claim Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support for any payments they make for their keep.

The money paid by the non-dependant for their household contribution is not treated as your income, instead a fixed deduction is made from your Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support. The deductions are fixed amounts based on your non-dependant's gross weekly income.

Non-dependant deductions do not apply if you or your partner are:

• registered blind
• receiving attendance allowance or, a pension age disability payment
• receiving the care component of Disability Living Allowance (at any rate) or, the care component of child disability payment
• receiving the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment or, the daily living component of adult disability payment, or the care component of Scottish adult disability living allowance
• receiving an armed forces independence payment
• receiving Universal Credit and applying for Council Tax Support only

No deductions are made if the non-dependant is:

• aged under 18
• a full time student
• has been in hospital for 52 weeks or more
• a member of the Armed Forces who is absent while on operations
• on state pension credit

Non-dependant deductions

The amount we will deduct from your claim depends on the income of the non-dependant.

Housing benefit deductions from 1 April 2026

Non-dependant aged under 25 and on Income Support or JSA(IB) or ESA(IR) which does not include an amount for the support component or work-related activity component

• no deduction

Non-dependant aged under 25 and on Universal Credit and not in remunerative work

• no deduction

Non-dependant aged 25 or over and on Income Support, JSA(IB) or aged 18 or over and not in remunerative work

• deduction of £20.40

Non-dependant in receipt of main phase ESA(IR)

• deduction of £20.40

Non-dependant in receipt of Pension Credit or a full-time student

• no deduction

Non-dependant working 16 hours or more per week with a gross income of:

• less than £192 - deduction of £20.40
• between £192 and £278.99 - deduction of £46.85
• between £279 and £364.99 - deduction of £64.35
• between £365 and £484.99 - deduction of £105.20
• between £485 and £604.99 - deduction of £119.85
• £605 or more per week - deduction of £131.45

Council Tax Support deductions

Non-dependant in receipt of Income Support, State Pension Credit, JSA(IB), ESA(IR) or UC (with no earnings)

• no deduction

Non-dependant aged 18 and over not in remunerative work, or in receipt of Universal Credit (working less than 16 hours)

• a deduction of £5.20

Non-dependant aged 18 and over and in remunerative work and has a gross weekly income of:

• less than £279 - deduction of £5.20
• £279 to £485 - deduction of £10.60
• £485 to £605 - deduction of £13.30
• greater than £605 - deduction of £15.95

Housing Benefit deductions from 1 April 2025

Non-dependant aged under 25 and on Income Support or JSA(IB) or ESA(IR) which does not include an amount for the support component or work-related activity component

• no deduction

Non-dependant aged under 25 and on Universal Credit and not in remunerative work

• no deduction

Non-dependant aged 25 or over and on Income Support, JSA(IB) or aged 18 or over and not in remunerative work

• deduction of £19.65

Non-dependant in receipt of main phase ESA(IR)

• deduction of £19.65

Non-dependant in receipt of Pension Credit or a full-time student

• no deduction

Non-dependant working 16 hours or more per week with a gross income of:

• under £183 - deduction of £19.65
• between £183 and £265.99 - deduction of £45.15
• between £266 and £347.99 - deduction of £62
• between £348 and £462.99 - deduction of £101.35
• between £463 and £576.99 - deduction of £115.45
• £577 or more per week - deduction of £126.65

Council Tax Support deductions from 1 April 2025

Non-dependant in receipt of Income Support, State Pension Credit, JSA(IB), ESA(IR) or UC (with no earnings)

• no deduction

Non-dependant aged 18 and over not in remunerative work, or in receipt of Universal Credit (working less than 16 hours)

• a deduction of £5

Non-dependant aged 18 and over and in remunerative work and has a gross weekly income of:

• less than £266 - deduction of £5
• £266 to £463 - deduction of £10.20
• £463 to £577 - deduction of £12.80
• greater than £577 - deduction of £15.35