Non-Dependants
- Who is a non-dependant?
A non-dependant is a person over 18 years of age, who normally lives with the claimant for example adult son or daughter, elderly relative, friend.
- What is a non-dependant deduction?
The levels of deduction are set by the Government and are meant to reflect how much the Government feels that each non-dependant should contribute to the household bills.
These are fixed amounts and are applied even if the non-dependant contributes nothing to the claimant.
- Are there always deductions?
No deduction will be made in respect of a non-dependant if the claimant and/or partner are registered blind, in receipt of Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance (DLA) care component.
- Are there any exceptions?
If you or your partner are aged 65 or more, then if the impact of a non-dependant moving in results in a decrease to your benefit, the change is delayed for 26 weeks.
If a change results in an increase to your benefit then it applies immediately.
- Non-dependants who are a couple
We work out non-dependant deductions that would apply as if they were single claimants. Only one deduction is taken and that is the higher of the two.
However, if one of the couple is working, we add the joint income together to decide which level of deduction to make.
- What deduction will be made?
The amount of deduction depends on the non-dependant's gross income and whether they are in remunerative work.
- Non-dependants in Remunerative Work:
Applies where the non-dependant is in paid employment and works an average of 16 hours or more each week. - Non-dependants not in Remunerative Work:
The lowest level of deduction applies in both Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit regardless of the level of the non-dependant's income.
- Non-dependants in Remunerative Work:
| Criteria | Housing Benefit | Council Tax Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Aged 18+ in remunerative work: | ||
| Gross income of £382 or more per week | 47.75 | 6.95 |
| Gross income of £306.00 to £381.99 per week | 43.50 | 5.80 |
| Gross income of £231 to £305.99 per week | 38.20 | 4.60 |
| Gross income of £178.00 to £230.99 per week | 23.35 | 4.60 |
| Gross income of £120.00 to £177.99 per week | 17.00 | 2.30 |
| Gross Income less than £120.00 per week | 7.40 | 2.30 |
| Aged under 25 on IS, JSA/IB, ESA/IR | Nil | Nil |
| Aged 25 or over on IS, JSA/IB, ESA/IR | 7.40 | Nil |
| On Pension Credit: | ||
| On Pension Credit and in remunerative work | Nil | Nil |
| On Pension Credit and not in remunerative work | Nil | Nil |
| Aged 18 or over, not working and not in receipt of Pension Credit | 7.40 | 2.30 |
The level of non-dependant deduction will be shown on your benefit notification letter.
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Contact information
For further information about this page please contact:
Finance & Corporate Services, Benefits Team
Lime Tree House, Castle Street, Alloa, FK10 1EX
Tel: 01259 226239 / 450000
Email: benefits@clacks.gov.uk
Or use the on-line contact form
