Do other people living in my
home affect my claim?
Someone who lives with the person claiming benefit is
called a non-dependant and is usually an adult son, daughter, other
relative, friend or other person but not joint tenants, sub
tenants or boarders. They are not treated as being responsible to
make payments in respect of the property but they are expected to
contribute to the household and so a deduction is made from the
claimants benefit entitlement.
The non-dependant will be aged 18 or over and they cannot claim
Housing or Council Tax Benefit for any payments they may make for
their keep.
The amount we deduct depends on the non-dependants gross income.
We take all their income into account and arrive at a weekly
figure. If they are earning we need to see 5 weekly, 3 fortnightly
or 2 monthly payslips or you can get their employer to fill in an
earnings certificate (PDF).
If the claimant is in receipt of Disability Living
Allowance (Care)or Attendance Allowance or if you are blind we
will not make any non-dependant deductions.
There are certain non-dependants who we do not make a deduction
for. No deduction applies for the following non-dependants:
- Anyone on Income Support or Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
however for Housing Benefit there is a deduction if they are aged
25 or more.
- Anyone under 18.
- Non-dependants who are full-time students however for Housing
Benefit there is a deduction in the summer holidays if they take up
work.
- Anyone receiving a Work Based Training Allowance.
- Anyone in prison or otherwise detained.
- Anyone who has been in hospital for more than 52
weeks.
- Anyone who normally lives elsewhere.
- Non dependants who fall within any of the groups who are
'disregarded persons' for Council Tax discount purposes, however
this applies in main Council Tax Benefit only not Second Adult
Rebate. In Housing Benefit there is a deduction.