Essentials: National Insurance Number
What is a Natural Insurance Number?
Your National Insurance (NI) number is your own personal account number. It is unique to you and you keep the same number your whole life. Your NI number makes sure that your National Insurance and tax payments are properly recorded. Every NI number is different and is made up of letters and numbers like this:
QQ 12 34 56 A
(Please note that this National Insurance number is just an example and should not be used as your own number)
Why do I need one? Who pays National Insurance?
Everyone pays National Insurance when they are over 16 and working, as long as their pay is high enough. It is automatically taken off your pay by your employer. If you are self-employed, your National Insurance is added to your tax at the end of the financial year. Your payments to National Insurance go towards funding things like your pension, maternity leave and any job seeker benefits you receive.
Who uses my National Insurance number?
You will have to give your National Insurance number to:
- HM Revenue & Customs
- your employer
- Department for Work and Pensions (which includes Jobcentre Plus and Pension, Disability and Carers Service)
- if you claim state benefits, your local council
- if you claim Housing Benefit
- the Student Loans Company if you apply for a student loan
It's very important you keep your number safe and don't give it to anyone who does not need it. This will help prevent identity fraud!
How do I get one?
Your NI Number Application will be / or will have been carried out by your social worker when you turn(ed) 15. If you don’t think this happened, contact your connector, social worker or someone at the Why Not? Trust to seek clarification and get help.
You can apply at https://www.gov.uk/apply-national-insurance-number/how-to-apply
Help! I’ve lost my NI number!
If you've lost or can't remember your number, you might be able to find it on official paperwork like a payslip or your P60 (end of year tax statement, given to you by your employer).
You can ask HMRC to confirm your NI number by completing and returning form CA5403 (click here) or by contacting the National Insurance Registrations Helpline on 0845 915 7006 (lines open 8.30 am to 5.00 pm Monday to Friday). HMRC cannot confirm your National Insurance number by telephone - they will write to you instead, so keep an eye out for the mail.