How do other people living with me affect my benefit?
What is a Dependant?
A child is defined as a someone under the age of 16 years old. A 'young person' is defined as someone aged 16 or over who is not in receipt of:
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Job Seekers Allowance (Income Based)
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Employment Support Allowance (Income Related)
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Income Support
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nor a person aged 16 or 17 years old who would be excluded from Housing Benefit because of the Children Leaving Care Act.
A qualifying 'Young person' is:
- a person aged 16, from their birthday up to and including the 31 August that follows this date; or
- a person aged 16 and over, but under 20 years old who is undertaking a course of full time, non advanced education started before reaching the age of 19 i.e. at a Further Educational establishment such as Sussex Downs College; or
- a person aged 16 years old or over but under 20 years old who is undertaking apporved training that is not provided through a contract of employment and that was started before reaching the age of 19.
If you have any children or dependants in your household you will need to provide us with details of any Child Benefit you receive for them. From 2 November 2009 all Child Benefit Income is fully disregarded in our calculations for Housing Benefits and Council Tax Benefits.
You will still need to tell us of any changes you have to the number of dependants you have in your household.
You will still need to tell us of any changes you may have to your Child Tax Credits or Working Tax Credits.
In most cases the government expects other adults living with you to contribute towards your rent. Adults such as relatives, grown up children and friends who live with you are called non-dependants.
We make a non-dependant deduction from your Housing Benefit for most people who live with you aged 18 years old or over. These deductions vary depending on their circumstances. We need proof of their income and savings. No deduction is made for anyone under 18, or for youth trainees, full time students (except during the summer vacation if they are in renumerative work), or anyone in hospital for more than 52 weeks or in legal custody.
If you are over 65, in some circumstances there may be a delay of up to 26 weeks before the deduction is applied. If you or your partner are registered blind, receiving Attendance Allowance or the care component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) then nothing will be taken off your benefit for non-dependants.
What is a 'non-dependant'?
A non-dependant is someone aged 18 or over who lives with you as part of your family but is not your partner. Examples of non-dependants are adult sons and daughters, elderly relatives or friends, boarders, sub-tenants and joint tenants.
Can non-dependants claim benefit?
No, non-dependants cannot claim benefit for any payment they make for their keep.
What effect does having a non-dependant living with me have on my benefits?
Normally, we take a certain amount off your weekly benefit for each non-dependant who lives with you. This amount is called a non-dependant deduction.
The amount we take off your benefit depends on the circumstances of the non-dependant and how much income they get. The Government sets non-dependant deductions and normally changes them every year.
