Claiming benefits - lost NI number

Stoodles

poppasmurf_bewdley wrote: »

How has someone gone through the last 20 years without using his NI number? I find it difficult to believe.

He hasn't worked or claimed any benefits in that time, having been dependant on his partner. It hasn't been needed.

danandjens_worldtravels

Have a look at their birth certificate or order a copy, it should arrive pretty quickly. Also contact their GP as it may be on health records.

Make the claim, and deal with the delay of finding the NI number, at least it's lodged should you need it backdated.

nannytone_2

your NI number isn't on your birth certificate and your doctor will only have your NHS number

NYM

Stoodles wrote: »

This is what he did 11 weeks ago, but sadly they haven't yet sent him his NI no. THe problem is how he can claim JSA/ESA and Housing Benefit with no NI number. It doesn't seem likely that it's not possible to access any interim benefits at all.

On the HB form, it does say "You must tell us the National Insurance numbers of you and your partner.
If you do not, we cannot deal with your claim."

I suppose it's a matter of Identity checks.

Did he and his partner ever claim HB before ? Did they have to provide the NINO at that time ?

Stoodles

No, neither had ever claimed anything. He tried to make the claim weeks ago,but was told it couldn't be done without an NI number. I can't believe that is actually true.

p00hsticks

Stoodles wrote: »

No, neither had ever claimed anything. He tried to make the claim weeks ago,but was told it couldn't be done without an NI number. I can't believe that is actually true.

I can't comment on HB as that's done by the Local authorities, but I can believe it of any benefits paid by DWP - their systems use the NI number as the main key to the records, you woudn't be able to set a claim up without it.

Stoodles

So what are people supposed to live on while waiting for the system to churn out an NI no? So far all he has had is a letter to the foodbank from CAB.

poppasmurf_bewdley

Stoodles wrote: »

So what are people supposed to live on while waiting for the system to churn out an NI no? So far all he has had is a letter to the foodbank from CAB.

I suppose the government could dole out lots of money to everyone who claims they've lost their NI Number.

It's not the government's fault that he cannot produce his NI number, but they have to be careful that they are not issuing one to somebody who is not entitled to have one.

As your relative is now finding out, having an NI number is a passport to all sorts of benefits, and many go to great lengths to obtain them under false pretences. Fortunately, the government does make obtaining one rather more difficult than just ringing up and saying "Please can I have a new one as I can't find mine!"

Stoodles

But there should be a clear record from the time he was working. It should be traceable, based on his date and place of birth.

He has always lived and when he was able, worked in the same town. He has been registered with the same GP, received treatment from the same two hospitals. It's incomprehensibly frustrating that it can take 11 weeks to achieve nothing and leave him with no way to pay rent or buy food.

Studebacher_Hoch

I've started claims off with people who couldn't remember their national insurance number - they had to clear extra security questions to identify them though. In fact in one case we only got the NINo when it arrived on the front of the Service User's PIP form (SU previously thought there were 8 numbers in it).

If they've been off the radar for a while it could be harder to identify them. Try again and say you can't remember the NINo but ask if they can identify them through other questions, see if that works.