Trying to apply for National Insurance number and getting the run-around

Pandora123_2

hi all,

I just received my residency permit (I'm Canadian, married to a Brit), and thought I would apply for a NI number. I know I'll need one when I get a job, and also to open an ISA, which I would like to do.

However, I was told by the Jobs Centre that I could not apply for a NI number unless I was working or "actively looking for work". The person I spoke to gave me another number to call, and the person at THAT number referred me back to the first number.

Then I was told that I needed to apply for a "temporary" NI number, given a number to call, and THAT person told me there was no such thing as a temporary NI number.

I ended up talking to about half a dozen people, with everyone referring me to someone else and no one wanting to help me or even tell me if it was possible to get a NI number if one is not currently working or "actively looking for work."

So two questions:

1. Is it possible to get a NI number if one is not already working or actively looking for work? If so, how do I go about doing that?

2. When one goes for an interview in order to obtain a NI number (assuming one is "actively" looking for work), do they ask you any questions wrt how exactly you are "actively" looking for work?

Thank you!

CIS

Heres DWP's guidance
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/lifeevent/benefits/ni_number.asp

and HMRC's
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/nimmanual/NIM39325.htm

Voyager2002

When you are interviewed, you have to give a good reason why you need an NI number. If you need one because you plant to work, you will need some evidence that you are applying for jobs, such as a rejection letter from an employer (perhaps your husband could arrange one of those from his workplace).

Your intention to open an ISA would not be a good enough reason, because since you are not working you can open an ordinary bank account and sign a declaration that you are not paying tax, and so the bank will give you the interest without deducting tax.

Pandora123_2

CIS wrote:

Heres DWP's guidance
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/lifeevent/benefits/ni_number.asp

and HMRC's
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/nimmanual/NIM39325.htm

Thanks... I'd seen the first link but not the second one. The HMRC site makes it quite clear:

---

NINOs are not issued for any other purpose, for example ISAs or a mortgage or loan. These companies can make alternative arrangements for people who do not have a NINO. If you are asked about using the number by a third party, (This text has been withheld because of exemptions in the Freedom of Information Act 2000)

---

I'm not sure why no one was able to tell me that of all the people I talked to... just kept fobbing me off on someone else (including one very rude woman who apparently found my difficulties amusing and laughed at me).

I'm also not sure why the above quote from the HMRC site has text withheld. So, what AM I supposed to say if I am asked about using the number by a third party? I guess I'm meant to figure that out myself!

Motherof1

Certainly sounds like you have been passed from piller to post. I am british through my mother although I came here from South Africa. I just went into social services in London at the time. They told me what I needed and I had to wait for a few weeks. I had my interview produced all the paperwork they wanted and that was it. In the meantime they said I could work with a temporary NI number which is in the formal of your date of birth and should appear like this: TNddmmyyF (TN meaning temporary number and F meaning female). You tend to pay emergency tax which is considerably higher on a temporary number but once you receive your office NI card it will be reimbursed.

If I were you go into a few employment agencies, they will probably be more helpful! Good Luck

Pandora123_2

Voyager2002 wrote:

When you are interviewed, you have to give a good reason why you need an NI number. If you need one because you plant to work, you will need some evidence that you are applying for jobs, such as a rejection letter from an employer (perhaps your husband could arrange one of those from his workplace).

Your intention to open an ISA would not be a good enough reason, because since you are not working you can open an ordinary bank account and sign a declaration that you are not paying tax, and so the bank will give you the interest without deducting tax.

Thanks for the info. The reason I wanted to open an ISA now is to tax-shelter as much savings as possible for the future... even though I'm not working now, I will be in future and wanted to give as little as possible to the tax man at that point.

taxi97w

Pandora123 wrote:

Thanks for the info. The reason I wanted to open an ISA now is to tax-shelter as much savings as possible for the future... even though I'm not working now, I will be in future and wanted to give as little as possible to the tax man at that point.

I know what you're going through Pandora. 14 years ago I applied for my NI number. I had the run around for quite a while. The last straw was when I got a letter saying, "We need to know your national insurance number before we can issue you with a national insurance number". Twas then I started to worry about the beauracracy of this country. Nothings changed in 14yrs, except it's got worse.:cool:

Husseinj

Hi,
I have been using this site for a long time but only just got round to registering.

I was in a similar situation about 7 years ago with regards to not having a NI number. At the time I was told I could use a Temporary NI number which was my Birthdate and initial...i.e. 151106H ...I used this to apply for jobs and once I got into employment, I applied for a permanent Ni number at the DSS...got an appointment, they looked at my payslips and I was given a NI number after 4 weeks...Hope this helps you