Non-dependants
A non-dependant is someone aged 18 or over who lives in your home or is using your home as a main residence other than on a commercial basis but is not:
- your husband/wife/partner/civil partner
- a child that you are receiving child benefit for
- someone jointly liable to pay rent and/or council tax with you
An example of a non-dependant would be a grown up son/daughter or other relative.
Will my benefit be affected?
We may have to reduce your benefit for each non-dependant who
is living with you. This reduction is called a non-dependant
deduction and the amount is based upon income bands set by the
government. The amount of deduction will depend on the
non-dependant’s income.
It is the gross income of the non-dependant that is taken into account, not the amount that they pay you. A non-dependant deduction will still be made even if they do not pay towards their keep.
No deduction is made for non–dependants:
- under the age of 25 who are in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance (income based) or Income Support
- in receipt of Guarantee or savings credit
- aged 25 and over in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance or Income Support - for council tax benefit only
- non-dependants who are students (but in housing benefit cases only there is a deduction in the summer holiday if the claimant and any partner are under 65 and the student works)
- receiving a work based training allowance
- in prison
- whose home is elsewhere
- who have been in hospital for over 52 weeks
- who fall into a disregarded category for council tax purposes
Changes in a non-dependant’s circumstances
You must let us know if there is a
change in your non-dependant's
circumstances.
- someone moves in or out of your home as this may affect your benefit
- a non-dependant starts or changes a job or has an increase or decrease in their earnings or income
- someone over the age of 18 stops full time education
Proof of a non-dependant’s income
Proof of the non-dependant’s income is required unless you or
your partner fall into one or more of the following categories:
- in receipt of the care component of Disability Living Allowance
- receiving Attendance Allowance
- registered blind
Types of proof
Until we see proof of you non-dependant’s income we will make
the highest deduction from your benefit entitlement.
The following are examples of proof of income:
- wage slips
- an employers certificate of earnings
- award letter from the Benefits Agency
- accounts for self employed non-dependants