Benefit Changes 2012

 

Increase in Non-dependant charges - Housing benefit change from April 2012

Important information for tenants claiming housing benefit

A non-dependant is a person who lives with you that the Government says should help pay towards the rent,

From April 2012, if you have a non-dependant adult child, family member or friend living with you, their income could affect the amount of housing benefit you receive. This is called a non-dependant deduction.  The higher their income, the greater the reduction in your housing benefit, which means you will have to pay more of your rent.

The table below shows the new charges for non-dependants working 16+ hours per week based on our 48 weeks rent payment cycle. Also refer to the associated library document on this page for more information about the new benefit rates based on 52 weeks rent payment cycle.

Non-dependant earnings (weekly)

2011/2012 Deductions (weekly)

New rates from April 2012 Deduction (weekly)

Less than £122.00

£10.18

£12.41

£122.00-£179.99

£23.35

£28.44

£180.00-£233.99

£32.07

£39.11

£234.00-£309.99

£52.49

£63.97

£310.00-£386.99

£59.80

£72.85

£387.00+

£65.65

£80.00

Please make sure that you and any non-dependants living with you consider the following advice to plan for how these changes may affect you:

  • Check if your housing benefit claim details are up to date.
  • Make sure you have the correct income details for any non-dependants living with you.
  • Is your non-dependant contributing enough?  As their income will reduce the amount of housing benefit you receive, they may need to contribute more.
  • If rent arrears go up, even because of the non-dependant deduction, the whole household could be evicted.

If you are concerned about these changes or need more information, call our Income Management Team on 01332 711000.

Information for non-dependants

If you are an adult living with the tenant(s) of a council property, you are classed as a non-dependant.  From April 2012, changes to the Housing Benefit rules will mean that your income could reduce the amount of housing benefit the tenant receives.  This is called a non-dependant deduction.

The council tenant(s) you are living with will need to pay more of their rent themselves because of you, so make sure you are paying or contributing enough to the household budget.

Remember, if rent arrears build up, the whole household could be evicted.