How to get a Government Gateway ID

Brie

Hey

I'm trying to help someone I know check her potential state pension.  And I know that can be done online if one has a Gateway ID.  So this is the problem.  She doesn't have one.  She does have a NI no.  But as far as I'm aware she has none of the other things needed to get an ID.  She obviously would have a credit of some sort I believe but given she's had a minimal income over the last 20 years I don't believe she has ever had a credit card or loan.  I know she and her husband have never had a mortgage.  

So is there any way for her to get an ID?  And if not how can she get a SP forecast?  FYI - phoning HMRC is not an option so anything would have to be done by post.

Before you start

To use this service, you’ll need to sign in using your Government Gateway user ID and password.

You’ll have to prove your identity to register for Government Gateway if you have not used it before.

You’ll need your National Insurance number or postcode and 2 of the following:

• a valid UK passport
• a UK photocard driving licence issued by the DVLA (or DVA in Northern Ireland)
• a payslip from the last 3 months or a P60 from your employer for the last tax year
• details of a tax credit claim if you made one
• details from a Self Assessment tax return if you made one
• information held on your credit record if you have one (such as loans, credit cards or mortgages)

molerat

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/application-for-a-state-pension-statement

QrizB

Not quite the same situation, when my youngest needed photo ID for college applications the easiest way to get one was to apply for a provisional driving licence.

This might be an option?

squirrelpie

Brie said:

FYI - phoning HMRC is not an option

Is it phoning in general or phoning HMRC that is the problem? Because as molerat's link points out, phoning HMRC is the wrong thing to do. You need to phone the Future Pension Centre, which is part of the DWP, not HMRC. And as the link also says they have ways of dealing with various sorts of people who can't use a phone for one reason or another. But writing to them is also possible.

Nebulous2

I've helped somebody in a similar position complete and send off a BR19 recently. Unfortunately the information he received was limited. It did not give detail on full years or part years of NI, only what he would be entitled to as a state pension. 

Brie

squirrelpie said:

Brie said:

FYI - phoning HMRC is not an option

Is it phoning in general or phoning HMRC that is the problem? Because as molerat's link points out, phoning HMRC is the wrong thing to do. You need to phone the Future Pension Centre, which is part of the DWP, not HMRC. And as the link also says they have ways of dealing with various sorts of people who can't use a phone for one reason or another. But writing to them is also possible.

Phoning at all would be difficult.  Waiting on the phone wouldn't be a problem as she's got the time and patience but the cost of the call would be prohibitive as even the cost of charging her phone is a stretch.  Add to that a very very thick foreign accent which makes her difficult to understand in person - I doubt anyone on a busy phone line would make the effort.

I'll see about getting her to fill out the BR19 so she at least knows if she will get anything.  Missing years won't be an issue as there's no ££ to buy more in any case.  

JoeCrystal

Is UK text relay an option? Can be used on the phone and type out the answers? Can be linked to a computer as well. There is a discount using it as well.

https://www.relayuk.bt.com/

Albermarle

QrizB said:

Not quite the same situation, when my youngest needed photo ID for college applications the easiest way to get one was to apply for a provisional driving licence.

This might be an option?

Also you can do this at the post office, if you are not computer savvy,

Brie

Albermarle said:

Also you can do this at the post office, if you are not computer savvy,

Wot?  Get their gateway ID?

QrizB

Brie said:

Albermarle said:

Also you can do this at the post office, if you are not computer savvy,

Wot?  Get their gateway ID?

Apply for a provisional driving licence.

Consumer3

I finally got this done for my MIL today as we had the same problem some months ago. I suggested she got a new passport, then at least she can go abroad as well as have a photo ID. She never learnt to drive so only had a bus pass as photo ID. 

I selected the passport and credit reference options and wasn’t sure if it would work as she hasn’t had to apply for any form of credit for years. It then went through all the credit questions eg have you had a mortgage in the last year/4 years/7 years or not at all etc. I had to keep ticking the 7 years or not at all option until it finally gave up, then added the passport number and finally it was done. 

….we’ll probably have to take her on holiday now!