SCHEDULE 6Housing Costs
Non-dependant deductions
19.
(1)
Subject to the following provisions of this paragraph, the following deductions from the amount to be met under the preceding paragraphs of this Schedule in respect of housing costs are to be made—
(a)
in respect of a non-dependant aged 18 or over who is engaged in any remunerative work, F1£102∙35
(b)
in respect of a non-dependant aged 18 or over to whom head (a) does not apply, F1£15∙95
(2)
In the case of a non-dependant aged 18 or over to whom sub-paragraph (1)(a) applies because that non-dependant is in remunerative work, where the claimant satisfies the Department that the non-dependant’s gross weekly income is—
(a)
less than F2£149∙00, the deduction to be made under this paragraph shall be the deduction specified in sub-paragraph (1)(b);
(b)
(c)
(d)
F11(2A)
Where a non-dependant deduction is being made under the Loans for Mortgage Interest Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017, the amount of the deduction under sub-paragraph (1) or (2) is to be reduced by an amount equal to that non-dependant deduction.
(3)
Only one deduction is to be made under this paragraph in respect of a couple or, as the case may be, the members of a polygamous marriage, and where, but for this sub-paragraph, the amount that would fall to be deducted in respect of one member of a couple or polygamous marriage is higher than the amount (if any) that would fall to be deducted in respect of the other, or any other, member, the higher amount is to be deducted.
(4)
In applying the provisions of sub-paragraph (2) in the case of a couple or, as the case may be, a polygamous marriage, regard shall be had, for the purpose of sub-paragraph (2), to the couple’s or, as the case may be, all the members of the polygamous marriage’s, joint weekly income.
(5)
Where a person is a non-dependant in respect of more than one joint occupier of a dwelling (except where the joint occupiers are a couple or members of a polygamous marriage), the deduction in respect of that non-dependant is to be apportioned between the joint occupiers (the amount so apportioned being rounded to the nearest penny) having regard to the number of joint occupiers and the proportion of the housing costs in respect of the dwelling occupied as the home payable by each of them.
(6)
No deduction is to be made in respect of any non-dependants occupying the dwelling occupied as the home of the claimant, if the claimant or any partner of the claimant is—
F12(a)
certified as blind or severely sight impaired by a consultant ophthalmologist, or who is within 28 weeks of ceasing to be so certified;
(b)
receiving in respect of that claimant or that claimant’s partner either—
F13(zi)
armed forces independence payment,
(i)
an attendance allowance, F14...
(ii)
the care component of the disability living allowance; F15or
F16(iia)
the care component of child disability payment;
(iii)
the daily living component.
(7)
No deduction is to be made in respect of a non-dependant—
(a)
if, although the non-dependant resides with the claimant, it appears to the Department that the dwelling occupied as the non-dependant’s home is normally elsewhere;
(b)
if the non-dependant is in receipt of a training allowance paid in connection with training provided or arranged by the Department for Employment and Learning under sections 2 and 3 of the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act or section 1(1) of the Employment and Training Act for which persons aged under 18 are eligible and for which persons aged 18 to 24 may be eligible;
(c)
if the non-dependant is a full-time student during a period of study or, if the non-dependant is not in remunerative work, during a recognised summer vacation appropriate to the non-dependant’s course;
(d)
if the non-dependant is aged under 25 and in receipt of income support, an income-based jobseeker’s allowance or an income-related allowance F17and they are still in the assessment phase in accordance with regulation 4 ;
(e)
in respect of whom a deduction in the calculation of a rent rebate or allowance falls to be made under regulation 72 of the Housing Benefit Regulations (non-dependant deductions);
(f)
to whom, but for regulation 71(5) (definition of non-dependant) paragraph (4) of that regulation would apply;
(g)
if the non-dependant is not residing with the claimant because the non-dependant has been a patient for a period in excess of 52 weeks, or is a prisoner, and for these purposes—
(i)
“patient” has the meaning given by paragraph 5(13) and “prisoner” has the meaning given by regulation 69(2) (special cases); and
(ii)
in calculating a period of 52 weeks as a patient, any 2 or more distinct periods separated by one or more intervals each not exceeding 28 days is to be treated as a single period; F18...
(h)
if the non-dependant is in receipt of state pension credit ; F19or
F20(i)
if the non-dependant is aged less than 25 and is entitled to an award of universal credit which is calculated on the basis that the non-dependant does not have any earned income.
F21(7A)
For the purposes of sub-paragraph (7)(i), “earned income” has the meaning given in regulation 51 of the Universal Credit Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016.
(8)
In the case of a non-dependant to whom sub-paragraph (2) applies because that non-dependant is in remunerative work, there is to be disregarded from that non-dependant’s gross income—
(a)
(b)
F24any Grenfell Tower payment F25, a child abuse payment or a Windrush payment or any payment made under F26or by the Macfarlane Trust, the Macfarlane (Special Payments) Trust, the Macfarlane (Special Payments) (No. 2) Trust, the Fund, the Eileen Trust F27, MFET Limited F28, the Skipton Fund, the Caxton Foundation F29, the Infected Blood Payment Scheme for Northern Ireland, the Scottish Infected Blood Support Scheme, an approved blood scheme F30, the London Emergencies Trust, the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund F31, the National Emergencies Trust or the Independent Living Fund (2006) which, had that non-dependant’s income fallen to be calculated under regulation 104 (calculation of income other than earnings), would have been disregarded under paragraph 21 of Schedule 8 (income in kind); and
(c)
any payment which, had that non-dependant’s income fallen to be calculated under regulation 104 would have been disregarded under paragraph 40 of Schedule 8 (payments made under certain trusts and certain other payments).
F32(d)
any payment made under or by a trust, established for the purpose of giving relief and assistance to disabled persons whose disabilities were caused by the fact that during their mother’s pregnancy she had taken a preparation containing the drug known as Thalidomide, and which is approved by the Secretary of State.