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non-dependant rules


If you share your home with someone who is not your partner or a dependant your entitlement can be reduced through rules on non-dependant deductions.

A non-dependant is a person who:
  • resides with the claimant, and
  • is over 18, and
  • is not a partner, or dependant child of the claimant and/or their partner, and
  • is not liable for paying the rent or pays rent to you as a sub-tenant.
Non-dependants are often people like grown-up sons or daughters and elderly relatives.

If you or your partner are blind or claiming Disability Living Allowance care component or Attendance Allowance then non-dependant deductions do not apply. The calculator automatically recognises cases where this applies.

In Pension Credit only people claiming for help with housing costs, because they have an outstanding mortgage, are affected by rules on non-dependant deductions.

The rate of non-dependant deduction depends on how much the non-dependant earns. There is no deduction for some groups, depending on the benefit in question.

In Housing Benefit no deductions will be made if:
  • the non-dependant is in receipt of Pension Credit (savings credit cases as well as guarantee credit)
  • the non-dependant is in receipt of a training allowance or a YTS scheme
  • the non-dependant has been a patient in hospital for 52 weeks or more
  • the non-dependant is a full-time student (but deductions may be made during the summer vacation if the student does any paid work in this period)
  • the non-dependant is a prisoner
In Council Tax Benefit no deductions will be made if:
  • the non-dependant is in receipt of Pension Credit (savings credit cases as well as guarantee credit)
  • the non-dependant is severely mentally impaired
  • the non-dependant is over 18 but Child Benefit is still payable for them
  • the non-dependant is a student nurse or apprentice or on Youth Training
  • the non-dependant has been a patient in hospital for 52 weeks or more
  • the non-dependant is living in a residential care or nursing home
  • the non-dependant is a care worker
  • or the non-dependant is a full-time student (even if they work full-time in the summer vacation)
  • the non-dependant is a prisoner
If you share your home with someone who is not your partner they may also be entitled to second adult rebate (alternative Council Tax Benefit).

In Income Support/Jobseeker’s Allowance (income-based) no deductions will be made if:
  • the non-dependant is in receipt of Pension Credit (savings credit cases as well as guarantee credit)
  • aged 16-17 and receiving IS or JSA (income based)
  • aged 18-24 and receiving IS or JSA (income based)
  • receiving a work-based learning for young people allowance

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