A non-dependant is often any adult over 18 years old who lives with you and isn't your partner. This could be a son, daughter, relative or friend.
If you have a non-dependant living with you, the amount of Council Tax Support or Housing Benefit you receive may be reduced. This is called a non-dependant deduction. The deduction is the amount the government expects the non-dependant to pay towards your housing costs and Council Tax.
We take a set weekly amount off your benefit based on the non-dependant’s income.
Non-dependant deductions for Council Tax Support
These are the deductions for Council Tax Support for the period 2025-26.
If you're pensionable age
Deductions if the non-dependant is aged 18 or over and in paid work, or in receipt of Universal Credit with earned income working 16+ hours
| Gross income per week | Weekly deduction |
| £577 or more | £15.35 |
| £463 to £576.99 | £12.60 |
| £266 to £462.99 | £10.20 |
| Less than £266 | £5.00 |
Other deductions
| Criteria | Weekly deduction |
| Aged 18 or over not in paid work | £5.00 |
| Aged 18 or over in receipt of Pension Credit, Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance (income based) or Employment and Support Allowance (income related) |
Nil |
| In receipt of Universal Credit with no earned income | Nil |
| In receipt of Universal Credit with earned income working less than 16 hours | £5.00 |
If you're working age
| Criteria | Weekly deduction |
| Non-dependant aged 18 or over earning more than £200 per week | £7.50 |
Non-dependant deductions for Housing Benefit
These are the deductions for Housing Benefit for the period 2025-26.
Deductions if aged 18 or over and in paid work, or in receipt of Universal Credit with earned income working 16+ hours
| Gross income per week | Weekly deduction |
| £577 and above | £126.65 |
| £463 to £576.99 | £115.45 |
| £348 to £462.99 | £101.35 |
| £266 to £347.99 | £62.00 |
| £183 to £265.99 | £45.15 |
| Less than £183 | £19.65 |
Other deductions
| Criteria | Weekly deduction |
| Aged 18 or over not in work | £19.65 |
| Aged 25 and over on Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance (income based) or Employment and Support Allowance (income related) (assessment phase only) | £19.65 |
| Aged 24 and under on Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance (income based) or Employment and Support Allowance (income related) (assessment phase only) | Nil |
| Any age on Employment and Support Allowance (income related) (main phase only) | £19.65 |
| In receipt of Pension Credit | Nil |
| Aged 24 and under in receipt of Universal Credit with no earned income | Nil |
| Aged 25 and over in receipt of Universal Credit with no earned income | £19.65 |
| In receipt of Universal Credit with earned income working less than 16 hours | £19.65 |
Exceptions
We don't take any deductions for non-dependants where:
- you or your partner get Attendance Allowance
- you or your partner are registered blind
- you or your partner get the care component of Disability Living Allowance
- you or your partner receive the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment
- the non-dependant's a full time student, or on a youth training scheme
- the non-dependant's in hospital for 52 weeks or more
- in some cases the non-dependant receives Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance (income based), Universal Credit or Savings Credit
Changes to a non-dependant's circumstances
You need to tell us if there's any changes to the circumstances of your non-dependant, such as if they change job or their earnings change. Any changes may affect your deduction.
You can tell us about any changes by filling in our online form.