Local employer doesn't have staff payroll numbers but student loans is demanding one

Peter92

This is being a bit of a pain, I work part time at a small local pub and have got a letter from student loans saying they want my employment details, or more specifically, the PAYE number and 'works/payroll/branch' number.
I asked and was told they don't have a PAYE or payroll number for the staff. What exactly do I do?

Alternatively, I worked temporarily as an invigilator at my old school and got those numbers (I think anyway, got a pay slip at least), if all else fails should I submit those numbers? I only do it for a few weeks every half a year, so it hardly looks like it's providing support.

[Deleted User]

They must have a PAYE no if they are deducting tax. If they are not then you should be doing it yourself and can sort your own arrangement with student loans as self employed.

Peter92

How long does it take to set it up as self employed? I'm earning less than £100 per week so it's not a massive amount anyway

Peter92

I got through to a much more helpful person when I called up again who found out what I should do (after the previous person only came out with 'oh, your employer should have that, maybe try contacting HMRC'). For the record she'd never dealt with anyone without a PAYE number so even if someone is earning under £112, it's obviously not common :P

Here are the details for anyone else with the same problem:

You need to send an employer letter, your own letter and bank statements from the last 3 months (online banking printouts are fine) to their Correspondence Department.

The employee letter should be headed, signed and dated, and needs to confirm the gross earnings and explain why they have no PAYE number (reason being in this case the staff not earning enough).
Your own letter should say this is a letter in regard to employment details, and contain your full name, customer reference number, and full address.

Good thing I didn't leave this to last minute like I usually do :P