Non-dependant deductions

A non-dependant is someone aged 18 and over who normally lives with you such as an adult daughter, son, relative or friend.

A non-dependant deduction is an amount taken from your Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support entitlement because you have a non-dependant living with you.

The following people are not non-dependants:

  • your partner
  • children you get child benefit for
  • joint owners
  • tenants
  • someone who lives with you to care for you or your partner if they are employed by a charity or voluntary organisation that charges for this service.

Deductions

The amount of money taken from your Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support depends on the income of the non-dependant.  If you have a couple living with you, one deduction is made based on their joint income.

The amount deducted each week is listed below:

See the deductions for:

When you are exempt from non-dependant deductions

No deduction will be taken if you or your partner are registered blind or receive one of the following benefits:

  • Disability Living Allowance (DLA) - Care Component
  • Attendance Allowance
  • Personal Independence Payment (PIP) - Daily Living Component
  • Armed Forces Independence Payment

You will need to provide proof of your circumstances.

Circumstances when we will not make a deduction

No deduction will be taken if the non-dependant is:

  • aged under 18
  • receiving Pension Credit (savings credit or guarantee credit) - a rate of £4.50 per week applies under the working-age Council Tax Support scheme
  • under 25 and receiving Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance (IB), Employment and Support Allowance (IR) assessment phase or Universal Credit with no earned income - a rate of £4.50 per week applies under the working-age Council Tax Support scheme
  • receiving a training allowance or a Youth Training Scheme
  • a patient in hospital for 52 weeks or more
  • a full-time student (but deductions may be made during the summer vacation if the student does any paid work in this period)
  • detained in prison

Housing Benefit Deductions from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026

  • Non-dependant gross income less than £183, deduction from housing benefit: £19.65
  • Non-dependant gross income £183 to £265.99, deduction from housing benefit: £45.15
  • Non-dependant gross income £266 to £347.99, deduction from housing benefit: £62.00
  • Non-dependant gross income £348 to £462.99, deduction from housing benefit: £101.35
  • Non-dependant gross income £463 to £576.99, deduction from housing benefit: £115.45
  • Gross income £577 and above, deduction from housing benefit: £126.65
  • State Pension Credit, deduction from housing benefit: NIL
  • Employment Support Allowance (IR), deduction from housing benefit: £19.65 Income Support / Job Seekers Allowance (aged 18 or over), deduction from housing benefit: £19.65
  • Income Support / Job Seekers Allowance (aged 25 or over), deduction from housing benefit: £19.65
  • No deduction is charged for non-dependants who are aged under 25 and get one of the following benefits:
    • Income Support (IS)
    • income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA(IB))
    • ESA(IR) which does not include an amount for the support component or work-related activity component
    • UC where the award is calculated on the basis that the non-dependant does not have any earned income

The amount taken from your Council Tax Support will depend on the non-dependant's income and whether you are a pensioner or working age claimant getting Universal Credit(UC).

Council Tax Support Deductions From 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026

  • Non-dependant gross income less than £144
    • Pensioner claimant deduction: £5.00
    • Working age claimant not receiving UC deduction: £9.00
    • Working age claimant receiving UC deduction: £4.50
  • Non-dependant gross income £144 to £259.99
    • Pensioner claimant deduction: £5.00
    • Working age claimant not receiving UC deduction: £9.00
    • Working age claimant receiving UC deduction: £17.75
  • Non-dependant gross income £266 to £462.99
    • Pensioner claimant deduction: £10.20
    • Working age claimant not receiving UC deduction: £17.75
    • Working age claimant receiving UC deduction: £17.75
  • Non-dependant gross income £463 to £576.99
    • Pensioner claimant deduction: £12.80
    • Working age claimant not receiving UC deduction: £22.25
    • Working age claimant receiving UC deduction: £17.75
  • Non-dependant gross income £577 and above
    • Pensioner claimant deduction: £15.35
    • Working age claimant not receiving UC deduction: £26.50
    • Working age claimant receiving UC deduction: £17.75
  • Pension Credit
    • Pensioner claimant deduction: NIL
    • Working age claimant not receiving UC deduction: £3.30
    • Working age claimant receiving UC deduction: £3.30
  • Employment Support Allowance (IR)
    • Pensioner claimant deduction: NIL
    • Working age claimant not receiving UC deduction: £4.50
    • Working age claimant receiving UC deduction: £4.50
  • Employment Support Allowance (C)
    • Pensioner claimant deduction: £5.00
    • Working age claimant not receiving UC deduction: £4.50
    • Working age claimant receiving UC deduction: £4.50
  • Job Seekers Allowance (C)
    • Pensioner claimant deduction: £5.00
    • Working age claimant not receiving UC deduction: £9.00
    • Working age claimant receiving UC deduction: £4.50
  • Income Support / Job Seekers Allowance / Employment Support Allowance assessment phase/ Maximum UC (aged 25 and under)
    • Pensioner claimant deduction: NIL
    • Working age claimant not receiving UC deduction: £4.50
    • Working age claimant receiving UC deduction: £4.50
  • Income Support / Job Seekers Allowance / Maximum UC (aged 25 and over)
    • Pensioner claimant deduction: NIL
    • Working age claimant not receiving UC deduction: £4.50
    • Working age claimant receiving UC deduction: £4.50
  • Aged 18 and over (not employed)
    • Pensioner claimant deduction: £5.00
    • Working age claimant not receiving UC deduction: £9.00
    • Working age claimant receiving UC deduction: £4.50