ISP or gov database can't accept my surname

All200

hi my surname is a single letter/character like "J" or "X" . I can't switch from plusnet to bt home essential as neither companys database accepts only one letter/character to check my national insurance number even though its written clearly on my benefits award letter and plusnet account bills.

After searching extensively for a solution with no result, can anyone offer some direction?
Thank you

tacpot12

Change your name to Jay or Exe. 

Neil_Jones

So spell it out then.  As above.

You don't need to change your name legally, just be a bit creative.

All200

Neil_Jones said:

So spell it out then.  As above.

You don't need to change your name legally, just be a bit creative.

They tried that but it came back as 'Not Found.'

I could change it by Deed Poll which costs money but that's an extreme move to legally change my surname and the cost has a knock on effect e.g. pay for a new driving licence, update of tenancy contract (£50) etc

RobM99

Is it not possible just to make it known you wish to be called (for exampe) Jayexe? After all, people's names are often changed e.g. Jim for James, Liz for Elizabeth and so on.

RobM99

Further, I know  "O" is a surname in France, or at least used to be, how do they manage?

All200

The trouble is it's not BT or Plusnet. Their entering my details into government's natural insurance database to check for elegibility. When I went to the govs N/I website myself and tried, it returned the same rejection. It's really stumped everyone. 

All200

RobM99 said:

Further, I know  "O" is a surname in France, or at least used to be, how do they manage?

Idk. I guess our government is less capable of building a proper database that covers all bases

Neil_Jones

All200 said:

The trouble is it's not BT or Plusnet. Their entering my details into government's natural insurance database to check for elegibility. When I went to the govs N/I website myself and tried, it returned the same rejection. It's really stumped everyone. 

Maybe you should change the name you have registered with (presumably) the DWP to become "Jay" or whatever suitable equivalent is available.  That doesn't mean you have to change your legal name.

The main issue here is an edge case, because a single letter surname is almost unheard of in the UK (two letters are more common and often the minimum).  Until the edge case is fixed, this situation will continue to occur unfortunately so it may be a case of working with the system.

All200

Neil_Jones said:

All200 said:

The trouble is it's not BT or Plusnet. Their entering my details into government's natural insurance database to check for elegibility. When I swent to the govs N/I website myself and tried, it returned the same rejection. It's really stumped everyone. 

Maybe you should change the name you have registered with (presumably) the DWP to become "Jay" or whatever suitable equivalent is available.  That doesn't mean you have to change your legal name.

The main issue here is an edge case, because a single letter surname is almost unheard of in the UK (two letters are more common and often the minimum).  Until the edge case is fixed, this situation will continue to occur unfortunately so it may be a case of working with the system.

Yes, I think you're right. I had a Google and found the number for the government national insurance department. So I'll call them on Monday. I think it'll result in having to change my surname with the dwp. 

[Deleted User]

Might be for the best. People with names like Null have also found that they break many computer systems.