What if there are other people living with me?

A non-dependant is
• A grown up son or daughter, aged 18 or over
• Any other relative aged 18 or over
• A friend aged 18 or over

A non-dependant is not
• Your partner, if you have one
• A child that you get child benefit for
• A person under 18
• A person in full time education
• A person on a youth training scheme
• A person who normally lives somewhere else

If you have friends, relatives or anyone else aged 18 or over living with you, we call these people non-dependants.
If you have non-dependants in your home, you may get less Housing Benefit, Local Housing Allowance or Council Tax Benefit, as we may have to take an amount out of your benefit for each non-dependant who lives with you.

The amount of the non-dependant deduction will depend on the level of your non-dependant’s gross income. Proof of your non-dependant’s income and savings must be provided. Even if your non-dependant has no income the minimum non-dependant charge will still be taken into account as soon as they reach the age of 18 if they are no longer in full-time education.

However, we will not take any money out of your Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit if
• You receive Attendance Allowance
• You receive the Care part of Disability Living Allowance
• You are registered blind
• The non-dependant is a paid carer provided by a charitable or voluntary organisation
• The non-dependant is under 25 and on Income Support or Jobseeker’s Allowance (Income Based)
• There will be no deduction from Council Tax Benefit if the non- dependant is on Employment and Support Allowance (Income Related) (ESA IR)
• There will be no deduction from Housing Benefit if the non- dependant is under 25 and in the assessment phase of ESA (IR)
• The non-dependant is in receipt of Pension Credit