How does one get an NI number?

[Hasbro]

I thought when people turn 16yrs in the UK they are automatically issued an NI number. However DS, just turned 17yrs and its occurred to me he doesn't have an NI. Is there something we are meant to do to trigger it?

If you haven't received one you should call:- 0800 141 2075

But like you say, most people receive them just before their 16th birthday.

I'm really worried now, so he's supposed to have received it?

They are normally posted out when they turn 16.

Just get him to call them on 0800 141 2075.

Mine turned up automatically. My husband had to complain and go to an immigration centre to receive one even though he was British (like the family has been here since before the Anglo Saxons turned up...). But that was a long while back so maybe you won’t have to do that.

I didn't get one when I was 16, I'm now 27, I'm sure I went to the job centre and managed to get mine through them?

It is meant to be automatic but sometimes people are missed.

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

"If you turned 16 and didn’t get a number
You will normally be sent a National Insurance number automatically just before your 16th birthday if you live in the UK.

If you didn’t get one, call the National Insurance number helpline if you’re under 20."

Telephone:
0300 200 3500

My understanding is that it is not sent automatically if you are not claiming child benefit for them. Both my children had to phone up and then complete a form to get theirs.

I think it is linked to child benefit payments.

Many families stopped claiming child benefit because they had to pay it back through the tax system and that meant they had to fill in self assessment forms ....so their kids no longer automatically get an NI number at 16.

If those young people are still at school and do not do holiday jobs they often do not notice the ommission until they are older.

Fan & Mutts -
thank you very much for the number.

It's really not something to worry about, just ring them and they'll send it out to you.

I am not claiming child benefit by my DS's turned up just before his 16th birthday. I think it was because I had claimed historically prior to the means testing.

Thanks all.

Tee Hee
This is one of the questions in the Life in the UK test