Deductions for non-dependants
Updated: 12 Feb 2012
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A non-dependant is someone, other than your partner, aged 18 or over, that lives with you, for example a son, daughter or elderly relatives.
The following are not non-dependants:
- boarders and lodgers
- tenants, joint tenants or sub-tenants
- professional carers
- visitors who normally live elsewhere.
What is a non-dependant deduction?
If you have a non-dependant living with you, we usually have to reduce the amount of Housing Benefit you receive to take into account the non-dependant’s contribution to the household expenses. There is normally a deduction for each non-dependant in the home.
However, if two non-dependants are married to each other (or are living together as if they were married) then only one deduction is made.
When is a non-dependant deduction not made?
No deductions are made if you or your partner are:
- registered blind
- receiving Attendance Allowance
- receiving the care component of Disability Living Allowance (at any rate).
No deductions are made if the non-dependant is:
- receiving Pension Credit
- under 25 and gets Income Support or Income Based Job Seekers Allowance
- is a prisoner
- is a student
- has been in hospital for more than 52 weeks.
How much is deducted?
This depends on the type and how much income the non-dependant has. The amounts are changed each year by the DSD. If there is a non-dependant couple then the deduction is worked out on their joint income. If a non-dependant is living with joint tenants then only half the relevant deduction is made.
What if the non-dependant won’t tell me what they earn?
If we don’t know the income of the non-dependant then we may apply the highest rate of deduction. We can provide a form for the non-dependant to confidentially confirm their earnings.
