What are non dependants?

A non-dependant is usually someone, such as an adult son or daughter, relative or friend, who lives with you on a non-commercial basis. Non-Dependants cannot claim Housing Benefit for any payments that they make to you.

The following do not count as Non-Dependants:

• Sub-Tenants, boarders and people who are jointly liable to pay the rent or council tax with you are not counted as non-dependants - The amount of money you receive from them will be taken into account in the calculation of your benefit less amounts for food and heating if included
• Dependant Children - children aged up to 20 years for whom you or your partner receive child benefit
• Joint tenants - they will have to claim Housing or Council Tax Benefit in their own right

If in doubt about someone's status in your house contact us for advice.

Any money the non dependant pays to you as 'board' is not taken into account in the calculation of your benefit but a deduction will be made from your benefit based on the non-dependants gross weekly income. If you have non-dependants who are a couple then one deduction will be made based on their joint income. The deductions taken as set amounts as shown in the table below.

When Are Non-Dependant Deductions Not Made?

No deduction is made if you or your partner are:-

• Registered blind
• In receipt of Attendance Allowance
• In receipt of the Care Component of Disability Living Allowance

No deductions is made also if the non -dependant is:-

• aged under 18
• aged over 18 but still in fulll time education and you still get child benefit for them
• on a youth training scheme
• a full time student at college (although a deduction may be made if they work during the summer holidays)
• normally living elsewhere
• is under 25 and received Income Support or Job Seekers (Income Based) Allowance - this applies to Housing Benefit Only
• Is receiving Income Support, Job Seekes (Income Based) Allowance or Employment Support Allowance (income related) - this applies to Council Tax Benefit Only
• in prison or otherwise detained
• is receiving employment and support allowance (Income Related)

If you or your partner are 65 years of age of over and a non-dependant moves in with you no deduction will be taken for the first 26 weeks that they live with you but you must still tell us as soon as they move in.