Frequently Asked Questions

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Who is a Non-dependant?

This question is asked for DFGs solely to determine whether the Relevant Person should be awarded a Severe Disability Premium.

A non dependant is someone who is NOT:

• The relevant person or partner, or children for whom he is responsible
• A joint owner or tenant
• A professional carer
• Caring for the relevant person or their partner and being paid to do so by a charity or voluntary organisation
• Someone who lives there on a commercial basis, paying the relevant person for "board and lodging" or simply renting a room(s) in the relevant person's dwelling.

Grants legislation prohibits a commercial arrangement between the relevant person and a relative living in the same dwelling, or any arrangement that is not on a commercial basis.

This means that a non-dependant will normally be a relative or a son or daughter who is no longer a child or young person. There may be occasions when another person lives in the same dwelling as the relevant person and only pays a "peppercorn" rent (for example someone who acts as a carer or companion). In such cases that person would be deemed to be a non dependant.

A person resides with another only if: they share any accommodation except a bathroom, a lavatory, or a room or rooms of common access BUT NOT if each person is separately liable to make payments in respect of his occupation of the dwelling to the Landlord.