Surrey Welfare Rights Unit

Who is in a Benefit Household?

This is a surprisingly difficult concept. The benefit household may include the following who live together: a single person or couple, children for whom they are responsible if there are any, who are under 16, or between 16 and 19 who are in non-advanced education, The end date of the child elements of Universal Credit, Child Tax Credit, Housing Benefit, and Child Benefit can be seen at the respective links.

Anyone else who lives in the same accommodation with you is part of a separate benefit household.  This includes adult children, grandparents, friends etc. They may have an effect on the calculation of your benefit entitlement but are not part of the same benefit household.

A child who would otherwise be part of your benefit household will not be if they are receiving Universal Credit in their own name.

If you are single and have no children, then the only person in your benefit household is you, even if you live with other people.