What are non dependant deductions from housing benefit?
The council can take money off your housing benefit if other adults live with you. For example, friends or family members.
This is called a non dependant deduction. The council expects adults who live with you to give you some money towards your rent.
Your housing benefit goes down even if the adult living in your home does not give you money.
There are different rules for universal credit.
How much is a non dependant deduction?
The amount taken off depends on your friend or family member's weekly income before tax. This is sometimes called their gross income.
The council might ask to see their wage slips.
If they do not work, the deduction is £19.65 a week.
Table: Non dependant deductions from April 2025
This table shows weekly deductions based on your friend or family member's income.
| Your friend or relative's weekly income before tax | Deduction from your housing benefit each week |
|---|---|
| Less than £183 | £19.65 |
| Between £183 and £265.99 | £45.15 |
| Between £266 and £347.99 | £62.00 |
| Between £348 and £462.99 | £101.35 |
| Between £463 and £576.99 | £115.45 |
| £577 or more | £126.65 |
When there should not be a deduction
The council should not make a deduction if you or your partner get any of these benefits:
attendance allowance
personal independence payment (PIP) - daily living component
disability living allowance (DLA) - care component
armed forces independence payment
Severe sight impairment
There should be no deduction if you or your partner are:
blind
severely sight impaired
A specialist eye doctor must confirm your sight impairment.
Tell the council if this happens after you claim housing benefit.
People who do not count as non dependants
The council should not make a non dependant deduction for these people:
your partner
a joint tenant or lodger
a guest who is visiting you
a friend or relative who is sofa surfing while homeless
your landlord
People who claim benefits
No deductions are made for:
people on pension credit
young people under 25 who get universal credit (UC) and have no earned income
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 a student lives with you and works more than 16 hours a week during the 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 the person 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.
Need more advice?
Last updated: 17 March 2025
