The Government has announced there are to be increases to non dependant deduction amounts. These will begin on 1 April 2011 and will continue to increase in 2012 and 2013.
Q What is a non-dependent?
A non dependant is someone who normally lives with the Housing Benefit/Council Tax Benefit claimant such as an adult son, daughter, relative or friend.
Boarders, sub-tenants and joint tenants are not non-dependants.
Q Can non-dependants claim housing benefit?
Non-dependants cannot claim housing benefit for any payments they make for their keep.
Q Does the money paid by non-dependants for their household contribution count as income
No. This money is not treated as the claimant's income, instead a fixed deduction is made from the claimant's entitlement to housing and or council tax benefit.
Q Are these deductions related to what a non-dependant pays for their housing contribution?
No. These deductions are fixed sums dependant upon the non-dependant's gross weekly income.
Q What are the current levels of deduction?
|
Non-dependant deduction from 1 April 2011
|
housing benefit
£
|
council tax benefit
£
|
|
Aged 25 or over and on IS/JSA(IB) or aged 18 or over and not in remunerative work
|
9.40
|
2.85
|
|
gross income less than £122.00 weekly
|
9.40
|
2.85
|
|
gross income not less than £122.00 but less than £180.00
|
21.55
|
2.85
|
|
gross income not less than £180.00 but less than £234.00 weekly
|
29.60
|
5.70
|
|
gross income not less than £234.00 but less than £310.00 weekly
|
48.45
|
5.70
|
|
gross income not less than £310.00 but less than £387.00 weekly
|
55.20
|
7.20
|
|
gross income more than £387.00 weekly
|
60.60
|
8.60
|
Q Are there any exceptions?
Yes. No deductions are made if you or your partner are:
- Registered blind
- Receiving attendance allowance
- Receiving the care component of disability living allowance (at any rate)
No deductions are made if the non-dependant is:
- Receiving pension credit
- Aged under 18
- Aged under 25 who are on Income Support or Job Seekers Allowance (Income Based)
- Aged under 25 who are in the assessment phase (first 13 weeks) of ESA (income related)
- A prisoner
- A student (but in HB only, and only if the claimant and any partner are under 65, there is a deduction in the summer vacation if they take up remunerative work)
- Has been in hospital for 52 weeks or more