Housing costs contributions: non-dependant deductions

A non-dependant is an adult member of the claimant’s household (or ‘extended benefit unit’) and will normally be a family member. That person is usually expected to contribute towards the rent and the claimant’s housing cost element is reduced accordingly. A ‘housing cost contribution’ is equivalent to a ‘non-dependant deduction’ under the housing benefit rules. It applies to claimants who are renting their home.

There is a single rate of housing cost contribution. This is set at £77.87 per month for each non-dependant.[1]

A housing cost contribution will not be deducted where the claimant (or their partner) is:[2]

• registered blind

• in receipt of the care component of disability living allowance (middle or highest rate), attendance allowance, the daily living component of personal independence payment or they are entitled to one of these payments, but are not receiving it as a consequence of receiving support under other legislation.

No housing cost contribution is deducted if the non-dependant is:[3]

• aged under 21

• in receipt of pension credit

• in receipt of the care component of disability living allowance (middle or highest rate), attendance allowance, the daily living component of personal independence payment or they are entitled to one of these payments, but aren’t receiving it as a consequence of receiving support under other legislation

• in receipt of carer’s allowance

• a prisoner

• a carer of a child aged under 5.

• a child (or step-child) in the Armed Forces who: [4]

• is away ‘on operations’. This does not necessarily mean on duty outside the UK, it also covers pre-deployment training and post-operation leave (ie ‘normalisation’) 

• was living at the claimant's home immediately before leaving to go on operations

• intends to return to the claimant’s home.