Applying For A Bus Pass - Asking For NI Number?

TELLIT01

It's one small step in trying to avoid fraudulent claims.  Everybody of pension age should have an NI number and if it can't be provided it will raise suspicions about eligibility.  It may not be managed by DWP but every 'benefit' is funded by government at one level or another and therefore comes from taxation of some kind.

poppasmurf_bewdley

They need the NI number to check that you're legally entitled to be in the country, surely.  

Muttleythefrog

poppasmurf_bewdley said:

They need the NI number to check that you're legally entitled to be in the country, surely.  

NiNo doesn't tell you who is legally entitled to be in the country... it tells you who has had a right to work or claim benefits at some point in time and was either given such or applied for such... in other words some people without a Nino are legally here (a migrant for example who never applied for a Nino as didn't intend to work or claim benefits, or have an immigration status that prevents both e.g. Fiance Visa) and some with a Nino may be illegally here (migrant overstayer for example). The way to check who is legally allowed to reside in the country is through UK citizenship (grants unrestricted right to enter and live in UK) or if non UK citizen the immigration status (shifting to an online system now away from Biometric Residence Permit card) and I'm not sure if such checks are conducted for the concessionary bus passes.

Murphybear

I have just looked at the bus pass application form for Dorset, where I live.  It asks for NINo but clearly says this is optional. 

It looks as if different counties have slightly different rules.