Apply for NI number

imran22

Hello members

My wife does not have NI number. I did not bother applying for one because she is a house wife and there were no plans for her to work until our children are of school going age.

I have now realised that she is eligible for national insurance credits even if we don't claim child benefits. This means she needs an NI number.

When we booked an appointment we were asked why we want NI number for her and I just had to come up with something on the phone.

But when she attends the interview can we say that we want NI number so that my wife can claim national insurance credits. Is this enough justification to ask for one?

Also I was recently buying travel insurance and in the eligibility some of them demand that the person has NI number. Also she can't hire a car either. Can all these reasons be quoted for application?

She became a British national 4 years ago does that automatically make here eligible as well for NI number.

Sorry for two many questions but thanks in advance for your help.

xylophone

https://www.gov.uk/apply-national-insurance-number

https://www.entitledto.co.uk/help/child-benefit-claim

imran22

Thank you for your reply.

My question is not about how to apply or whether we are eligible for child benefits.

My question is about whether we need to justify why we need NI number. If yes then just saying that we need it so my wife can get national insurance credits provides enough justification?

Or being a British national makes you eligible for NI number and we do not need to provide further evidence why we need NI number.

sheramber

Are you entitled to apply for child benefit?

She can only get NI credits if you are entitled to get child benefit but choose not to receive the money e.g. due to high income.

w06

that's not right i don't htink sheramber, https://www.gov.uk/child-benefit/what-youll-get

Imran, a friend I've just asked doesn't recall having to justify why she wanted the NI number at all when she got one after getting her visa. If you're born here you get it automatically at 16 and so if she has right to work or recourse to public funds it shouldn't be an issue at all.

calcotti

sheramber wrote: »

Are you entitled to apply for child benefit?

She can only get NI credits if you are entitled to get child benefit but choose not to receive the money e.g. due to high income.

You get credits if you receive child benefit or are are entitled to it but have chosen not to receive it.

imran22

Thank you for your replies.

I come under high-income bracket therefore I decided not to claim as I have to fill forms to then pay tax on the claimed benefits.

My understanding is that my wife can still claim for national insurance credits because she is a full-time parent.

On first page of child benefits form it says you should apply for child benefits when in high income bracket but opt to not take the money. This will protect state pension of my wife and allow my children to receive NI numbers.

My intention is to complete the form and give it to my wife to take along to the NI number interview as a reason to apply.

Will that work?

w06

sounds a good plan, that's my understanding of the entitlement to credits too - if the little ones are under I think it's 12.

imran22

Is there a chance that they might say to my wife that if you do not have the NI number then your husband can apply for credits?

Does anyone know if a person is a UK national then they should have the NI number and we don't need any justification for our application

sheramber

calcotti wrote: »

You get credits if you receive child benefit or are are entitled to it but have chosen not to receive it.

You don't need to claim NIC credits if you are getting child benefit - you automatically receive them.

If you claim it bit do not take the payment then you need to claim it.

calcotti

sheramber wrote: »

You don't need to claim NIC credits if you are getting child benefit - you automatically receive them.

If you claim it bit do not take the payment then you need to claim it.

I thought that was what I’d said.