jobcentre asking for friends national insurance number?

velirya

ive been waiting for income support to be sorted since the start of august. i currently live with a male friend, and since no ones allowed friends of the opposite sex, they had to check it out.

ive just had a letter through the door asking for my friends national insurance number, his DOB and my signature.

now my friend works, a very decent job, that i would no way at all risk him losing because someone reckons we're together.

does anyone know why they would have sent this letter to me?

thanks

Dunroamin

Why would you think he would be risking hie job by your giving his NI number and DOB?

velirya

because ive seen it happen before, when people get refused because they are apparently in a couple, when actually theyre not.

lld01

I can't see any reason why you supplying his NI number would affect his job

It's quite possible they could refuse your Income Support if you fail to give it - although if he is working and paying tax they should be able to trace his details if they needed them.

[Deleted User]

Well I would write back and say you don't know it. I wouldn't be comfortable asking any of my friends for this personal information and I wouldn't really want to give it out to anybody either!

missapril75

Part of considering if two people are a couple (remember there are people who are couples but deny it) includes a past history of sharing accommodation.

Having his NINO would enable them to check previous addresses.

If you don't feel comfortable asking for his NINO, maybe you could just give his d/b. They can track his NINO with that.

Chances are they can find it anyway but it could take ages if a common name.

tattycath

Personally, I don't see why they would expect a third party to give out personal information belonging to someone else. I would tell them I don't know it or suggest they write to him then he can give them that info himself.

PippaGirl_2

I wouldn't give out the information either. I'd just say I don't know it. Who owns the property or rents it? Do you have a rental agreement with him, how do you contribute towards the bills or is that included in the rent? Do you have any financial links with him? All those things are relevant and what they should be asking you, not for his NI number.

missapril75

PippaGirl wrote: »

All those things are relevant and what they should be asking you, not for his NI number.

Yes they are and they may have been asked already. But so might a history of sharing previous addresses (be relevant), as I posted above.

Maybe those things not asked yet might be on the agenda for an interview. Maybe having his NINO and, thus, access to past addresses that might mean that with other info they already have, they decide to take it no further.

Sometimes what seems "not right" actually helps with a speedy conclusion, because of information they already have.

princessdon

Why not give it? Or more to the point ask HIM to give it (this is his information)

It would surely help your situation to have this resolved quickly.

Why stand in the way of something so easy to resolve.

He won't lose his job - all they will do is check previous addresses, bank accounts (to see if they are shared with yourself), and income level.

You are not giving his inside leg measurement or anything personal - this is information that is given freely to many organisations. If you want them to "find it themselves" - which they can and prolong the investigation then feel free to refuse this, but then don't go complaining if they take any action based on that.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

a NINO is private and confidential to that individual anyone asking me for mine would result in a flat no in this case.

is he or in a relatioship with someone else? this would disprove that your a couple living together.

ultimately it is upto him if he wishes to disclose this information.

if he doesnt then it not you fault you cant provide this information regarding what they have requested.

they have to prove your a couple not the other way round.