application form icon
How we calculate your Council Tax reduction

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 reduction 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 reduction

For a Council Tax reduction claim by someone of working age

For working-age applicants, a standard deduction is applied for non-dependants aged 18 or over. 

The deduction is £7.50 a week for those who are not in remunerative work, and £15 week for those who are in remunerative work. 

In the case of a couple, the deduction to be made is £7.50 if neither member of the couple is in remunerative work, or £15 if one or both members of the couple are in remunerative work.

For a Council Tax reduction claim by someone of pension age

Non-dependent in paid work (16+ hours per week) with a combined weekly incomeAmount to be deducted weekly
£0.00 - £265.99£5.00
£266 - £462.99£10.20
£463.00 - £576.99£12.80
£577.00 or more £15.35
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
not covered by the above£5

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 £577 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 reduction 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 or daily living component of Personal Independence Payment