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Clackmannanshire Council Online

Non-Dependants

Non-Dependants

 
Who is a non-dependant?

A non-dependant is a person over 18 years of age, who normally lives with the claimant for example adult son or daughter, elderly relative, friend.

What is a non-dependant deduction?

The levels of deduction are set by the Government and are meant to reflect how much the Government feels that each non-dependant should contribute to the household bills.

These are fixed amounts and are applied even if the non-dependant contributes nothing to the claimant.

Are there always deductions?

No deduction will be made in respect of a non-dependant if the claimant and/or partner are registered blind, in receipt of Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance (DLA) care component, daily living component of PIP and Armed Forces independence payment.

Are there any exceptions?

If you or your partner are aged 65 or more, then if the impact of a non-dependant moving in results in a decrease to your benefit, the change is delayed for 26 weeks.

If a change results in an increase to your benefit then it applies immediately.

Non-dependants who are a couple

We work out non-dependant deductions that would apply as if they were single claimants. Only one deduction is taken and that is the higher of the two.

However, if one of the couple is working, we add the joint income together to decide which level of deduction to make.

What deduction will be made?

The amount of deduction depends on the non-dependant's gross income and whether they are in remunerative work.

  • Non-dependants in Remunerative Work:
    Applies where the non-dependant is in paid employment and works an average of 16 hours or more each week.
  • Non-dependants not in Remunerative Work:
    The lowest level of deduction applies in both Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction regardless of the level of the non-dependant's income.

Housing Benefit

Deduction Amounts 2025/26
Criteria Housing Benefit
Aged 18+ in remunerative work:  
Working less than 16 hrs per week 19.65
Gross earnings less than £183 per week 19.65
Gross earnings between £183-£265.99 45.15
Gross earnings between £266-£347.99 62.00
Gross earnings between £348-£462.99 101.35
Gross earnings between £463-£576.99 115.45
Gross earnings over £577 126.65
On Pension Credit:  
On Pension Credit and in remunerative work Nil
On Pension Credit and not in remunerative work Nil
Aged 18 or over, not working and not in receipt of Pension Credit Nil
In receipt of IS, JSA/IB, ESA/IR/UC  
Aged 25 on IS, JSA/IB, ESA/IR/UC no earnings Nil
Aged 25 or over on IS, JSA/IB/UC no earnings 19.65
In receipt of Main Phase ESA/IR 19.65

Council Tax Reduction

Deduction Amounts 2025/26
Criteria Council Tax Reduction
Aged 18+ in remunerative work: £
Working less than 16 hrs per week 5.35
Gross earnings less than £273 per week 5.35
Gross earnings between £273-£473.99 10.55
Gross earnings between £474-£585.99 13.40
Gross earnings above £586 15.95
On Pension Credit:  
On Pension Credit and in remunerative work 5.35
On Pension Credit and not in remunerative work 5.35
Aged 18 or over, not working and not in receipt of Pension Credit 5.35
In receipt of IS, JSA/IB, ESA/IR/UC  
Aged 25 on IS, JSA/IB, ESA/IR/UC no earnings Nil
Aged 25 or over on IS, JSA/IB/UC no earnings Nil
In receipt of Main Phase ESA/IR Nil

The level of non-dependant deduction will be shown on your benefit notification letter.

For Further Information Contact

Revenue Services
Kilncraigs, Greenside Street, Alloa, FK10 1EB
Tel: 01259 450000
Email: