Mother over 65 - but has never had an NI Number...

nobile

She has never worked or claimed benefits. A hardworking housewife - UK passport holder from birth.

Lived in the UK for 45 years. Never needed it to claim Family Allowance for us like you would thesedays.

We've been trying to get things like Winter Fuel Grants etc etc - but you need an NI Number.

In fact you need one for virtually everything that we have been told she is legally entitled to - but she cant appy for them without it!

She went to the Job Centre - only to be told she couldnt get an NI number because she is over 60.

All her friends seem to be getting a lot of help with grants etc....except her.

Is she entitled to an NI number? She was even offered P/T work as a cleaner - the employer even gave her a letter of commencement, yet the JC refused to give her a NI Number.

Cant find anything online re this. Need help

Thanks

tanith

If she has worked then she must already have a N/I number.. if not then I am not sure how it works... there is some info HERE

Blackpool_Saver

OP said her mother had never worked....

tanith

Blackpool_Saver wrote: »

OP said her mother had never worked....

thanks I missed that , should read more carefully...

Cazza

Try here..... http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/BeginnersGuideToBenefits/DG_10014073

Under the "How to Apply" section it says... "If you need an NI number to claim benefits this will be done as part of the claim process when you or your partner claim benefit." So by the sounds of things, the departments she is applying to should be the ones helping her to get an NI No, I guess that they just don't realise it because so few people are in her situation.

nobile

She hasnt tried to apply for any state benefits - just neccessitis like the fuel allowance.

Its pathetic how the agencies keep bleating about 'low take up' of these things - yet put up obstacle after obstacle in front of old people when they actually try!

Out of interest, what would my mother be entitled to legally??

McKneff

She should have been claiming family allowance since the birth of her children. Family allowance has been around since about 1945. These days its called Child Benefit.

Is she not claiming state retirement pension. She should have been doing so since she was 60.

Even if she had not even worked a day - she should still have an NI number.

You automatically get fuel allowance if you are on a state pension.

Why hasnt she been claiming all these years.

tanith

nobile wrote: »

She hasnt tried to apply for any state benefits - just neccessitis like the fuel allowance.

Its pathetic how the agencies keep bleating about 'low take up' of these things - yet put up obstacle after obstacle in front of old people when they actually try!

Out of interest, what would my mother be entitled to legally??

Well a little thing like no National Insurance number is a fundamental necessity not an obstacle when claiming, so she has to apply for one try reading through the posts that have helpful links.. as for what she would be entitled to thats like how long is a piece of string it would depend on her circumstances , health and other variables... applying for the N/I no is going to take time and effort so its a good place to start... I can't understand why she hasn't claimed State Pension either?

stazi

The OP's mother will not be entitled to a State Pension (SP) on her own record if she's never worked. She could only get a SP based on her husbands NI records provided he is over 65 and claiming SP.

chesky369

What has she been living on for all these years?

cavework

Don't you need an NI number to be registered with a Doctor?
Does your Mum have a Doctor or Dentist?