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If someone in your home is over 18, not in full time education, works or claims benefit, they will be expected to pay a contribution to your rent.

A non-dependant is someone aged 18 years or over - for example, an adult son or daughter or elderly relative - who lives with you other than on a commercial basis. If you only share a bathroom, lavatory, hall or passageway with them, they are probably not non-dependants.

A non-dependant does not include:

  • dependant members of your family for whom you get benefit for example, a partner, young son or daughter;
  • lodgers or boarders who live with you on a commercial basis;
  • tenant or sub-tenants;
  • people who own all or part of your home, eg a joint owner;
  • professional carers.

The current levels of deductions from Housing Benefit aged 18 or over and in paid work:

Deductions from Housing Benefit
Gross Income Amount of deduction
£469 and above £102.35
£377 to £468.99 £93.25
£283 to £376.99 £81.90
£217 to £282.99 £50.05
£149 to £216.99 £36.45
less than £149 £15.85

The current levels of deductions from Council Tax support aged 18 or over and in paid work.

Deductions from Council Tax
Gross Income Amount of deduction
£447.40 or more £12.20
£360.10 - £447.39 £10.20
£207.70 - £360.09 £8.10
less than £207.70 £4.00
Others aged 18 or over £4.00

Pensioner in receipt of Pension Credit or Employment Support Allowance (income based) or Income Support/Job Seekers Allowance (income based) - Nil