What are non dependant deductions from housing benefit?
The council might reduce your housing benefit if other adults live with you, like friends or family members.
This is called 'making a non dependant deduction.'
Your housing benefit is reduced because adults who live with you are usually expected pay towards your rent.
The council reduces your housing benefit even if the adult who lives with you does not give you money for rent.
There are different rules for universal credit.
How much is a non dependant deduction?
The amount taken out depends on your friend or family member's income before tax every week. This is sometimes called their gross income.
The deduction is £19.30 a week if they are not working.
Table: Non dependant deductions from April 2024
| Your friend or relative's weekly income before tax | Deduction from your housing benefit each week |
|---|---|
| Less than £176 | £19.30 |
| Between £176 and £255.99 | £44.40 |
| Between £256 and £333.99 | £60.95 |
| Between £334 and £444.99 | £99.65 |
| Between £445 and £553.99 | £113.50 |
| £554 or more | £124.55 |
When your housing benefit should not be reduced
The council must not reduce your housing benefit if you or your partner get any of these benefits:
personal independence payment (PIP) - daily living component
disability living allowance (DLA) - care component
attendance allowance
armed forces independence payment
The council must not reduce your housing benefit if you or your partner are registered blind.
Adults in your home who do not count
These people do not count as non dependants:
your partner
lodgers or other joint tenants
guests who only stay with you sometimes
People who claim benefits
No deductions are made for young people under 25 who get:
universal credit (UC) - unless they are in work
income based jobseekers allowance (JSA)
income support
No deductions are made for someone who gets pension credit.
Full time students
No deductions are made for full time students during:
term time
holidays - unless they work over 16 hours a week during summer holidays
You need to tell the council if the student works more than 16 hours a week during the university summer holidays.
A family member who is away
Your housing benefit should not be reduced if your family member is away from home. For example, because they're in prison or serving in the armed forces.
Asking someone you live with to pay more
Explain why you need them to help you with rent.
They might not know your benefits are reduced because they live with you.
Tell them:
how much the rent is
how much your housing benefit is reduced by
what you need them to pay
Non dependants cannot get housing benefit to pay towards your rent.
Do not risk rent arrears. You could lose your home.
Last updated: 28 July 2024
