Non dependant deductions and universal credit

Money is taken off your universal credit (UC) housing element if:

• an adult friend or relative lives in your home

• the DWP expects them to pay something towards your rent

Adults who live in your home are sometimes called 'non dependants'.

The deduction is sometimes called a 'housing cost contribution'.

How much is taken off?

The DWP takes off £91.47 a month for each non dependant adult who lives with you.

This happens even if your relative or friend pays you little or no money.

You may need to ask your relative or friend to help with your rent.

Be open and honest with them if you need them to help. Do not risk rent arrears.

When there should not be a deduction

The DWP should not make a non dependant deduction in these situations:

• you are blind or severely sight impaired

• you or your non dependant get certain disability benefits

• your non dependant does not count for another reason

Severe sight impairment

There should be no deduction if you are:

• blind

• severely sight impaired

For joint UC claims, either of you could be blind or have a severe sight impairment.

A specialist eye doctor must confirm your sight impairment.

Let the DWP know if this happens after you claim UC.

Disability benefits

There should be no deduction if you or your non dependant get any of these benefits:

• attendance allowance

• personal independence payment (PIP) - daily living component

• disability living allowance (DLA) - middle or high rate care component

For joint UC claims, either of you could be getting one of these benefits.

Let the DWP know if any of you start getting these benefits.

Other reasons a non dependant does not count

The DWP must not make a deduction for your child if they are in the armed forces and away on operations. Step children are included in this.

The DWP must not make a deduction for anyone who normally lives in your home and is:

• under 21

• in prison

• responsible for a child under 5

• getting pension credit or carers allowance

People who do not count as non dependants

The DWP 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

Some of these people might affect your housing element in other ways.