Non-Dependents

Having a non-dependent live with you may affect the amount of council tax you pay or the amount of Housing Benefit you receive.

In most cases, this is because Government benefit schemes assume non-dependents contribute towards household costs. For more information, please browse the following links:

• What is a non-dependent?
• How much is deducted each week?
• OPENGedling

For all other enquiries, please contact our Benefits section at the Civic Centre on (0115) 901 3970 or email housingbenefits@gedling.gov.uk

What is a non-dependent?

Non-dependents are classed as anyone living with you who are not financially dependent on you. Similarly, non-dependents are considered to be anyone not paying rent on a commercial-basis, but someone who is receiving meals and other services and sharing most of your accommodation.

Examples of non-dependents include grown-up children, elderly parents and other adult relatives and friends. However, the following do not count as non-dependents:

• The benefit claimant and their partner
• A child/foster child of the claimant/partner in full-time education if under the age of 20
• A child/foster child of the claimant/partner not in full-time education but under 18
• Someone of equal status to the claimant/partner i.e. co-owner or co-tenant
• Someone living with the claimant to provide care to the claimant/partner if employed by a charitable or voluntary body that charges for the service provided
• A tenant, sub-tenant, boarder or lodger of the claimant/partner who is sharing the home on a commercial basis

How much is deducted each week?

The amount deducted is based on the non-dependant's age, gross income and whether or not they are in paid employment for an average of at least 16 hours per week.

A deduction applies for each non-dependant unless any of them are married to each other or living together as husband and wife, where they would attract only one deduction.

Please note that there will be no non-dependent deductions if the claimant or partner is receiving Attendance Allowance or the care component of Disability Living Allowance; or if the claimant or partner is registered or treated as blind.

Where we have no knowledge of a non-dependent's gross income, the maximum deduction will be applied.

OPENGedling

Our new OPENGedling service allows residents of the borough to access their council tax and benefits information online. For more information, please visit our OPENGedling information pages.

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