Universal Credit (UC) housing costs element - Universal Credit (UC): What if I have another adult living with me?

If you have other adults living with you who aren’t your partner and do not have to pay rent, they might be treated as your non-dependant.

This means that an amount will be taken off your housing costs element because this other person is expected to help with the rent. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) call this a Housing Costs Contribution.  £85.73 per month is taken off your Universal Credit for each other adult in your home.

You won’t have money taken off your housing costs element for a non-dependant if:

• You (or your partner) are certified blind or severely sight impaired
• You (or your partner) receive Attendance Allowance, the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), the daily living component of Adult Disability Payment, the care component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) at middle or higher rate, high or middle rate care component of Child Disability Payment or Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP).

You also won’t have any money taken off your housing costs element for any other adult who:

• Is under 21; or
• Is responsible for a child under 5; or
• Is getting Attendance Allowance, Personal Independence Payment (PIP) daily living component, Adult Disability Payment daily living component, Disability Living Allowance (DLA) care component at middle or high rate, or Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP); or
• Is getting Carer’s Allowance; or
• Is getting Pension Credit.

You won't have money taken off your award for a non-dependant if you are an owner-occupier.

Updated: April 2023