Non-dependents

A non-dependent is someone who normally lives with you, such as an adult child, relative, or friend and is not liable to pay Council Tax.

They are not:

  • a joint tenant
  • a sub-tenant
  • a resident landlord or a member of the resident landlord’s family
  • someone who lives with you to care for you or your partner, and is employed by a charitable or voluntary body which charges you for the care
  • your child and you receive Child Benefit for them
  • your partner

An amount for each non-dependent is deducted from your maximum Council Tax support entitlement. This is to reflect the non-dependent’s assumed contribution to your housing costs. Any actual contribution towards Council Tax is ignored. The amount varies according to the age and income of the non-dependent.

We will make a deduction for each non-dependent. Only one non-dependent deduction applies for non-dependent couples but this would be based on their combined income.

Non-dependent deductions for Council Tax support

For a non-dependent of working age:

Non-dependent in paid work (16+ hours per week) with a combined weekly incomeAmount to be deducted weekly
£0 – £187.99£5.00
£188.00 - £325.99£10.00
£326.00 - £405.99£15.00
£406.00 or more£20.00
For a non-dependent not in paid work who is:Amount to be deducted weekly
in receipt of Pension Credit£0.00
in receipt of Income Support, Income-based JSA, Income-related ESA, Universal Credit with no earnings£3.70
not covered by the above£5.00

For a non-dependent of pension age:

Non-dependent in paid work (16+ hours per week) with a combined weekly incomeAmount to be deducted weekly
£235.99 or under£4.60
£236.00 to £409.99£9.40
£410.00 to £510.99£11.80
£511.00 or over£14.15
For a non-dependent not in paid work who is:Amount to be deducted weekly
in receipt of Pension Credit, Income Support, Income-based JSA, Income-related ESA, Universal Credit with no earnings£0.00
not covered by the above£4.60

Highest deduction

When we are unable to work out the income of your non-dependent we will apply the highest deduction. This assumes that your non-dependent’s gross weekly income is £484 or more.

No deduction will be taken if the non-dependent:

  • has been in hospital for more than 52 weeks
  • is a full-time student.
    • we may take a deduction from your Council Tax support in the summer holidays if the student works, unless you or your partner are aged 65 or more
  • is under 18
  • normally lives elsewhere
  • has a severe mental impairment status applied on the council tax account

We also do not take a non-dependent deduction if the claimant or their partner:

  • is registered blind or is treated as registered blind
  • receives Attendance Allowance
  • receives the care component of Disability Living Allowance