My wife (who hasn't worked for many years) needed her National Insurance number recently, and could find any record of it. She then tried various agencies like the CAB and Benefits/DSS (whatever they're called today), but could not make any headway as these were mostly unable to find the number with her name/address, and in one case not willing even to consider discussing the topic on the phone (they subsequently wrote saying they couldn't find it either).
Question is : which government agency is the owner of our NI numbers ? And who should my my wife approach to determine what hers is ?
The inland revenue are notorious for giving out the wrong NINo. I have came across over a dozen cases in the 18mths I spent allocating NINos. They also tend to just look on the NIRS (Nat.Ins.recording system) and many older women who haven't worked for a long time are not recorded on this and even some younger people who haven't earned enough to pay nat.insurance are missing fromthis system.
If your wife had one then she may need to write to the DWP give her full name, any previous name she has used (maiden name etc) DOB and a if there's not too many, previous addresses, particularly around the time she was working, Her last employers name (when she was paying NI) may also help as if there are several possible matches a check of NI postings should enable a difinitive trace on the DCI (Dept Central Index) If it's not on there then it doesn't exist (unless it was missed when they where transfered to computer many year ago). If the DWP cannot trace it with all the info perhaps a prev.emp(or emp.pension scheme) may have it. If it cannot be traced maybe she naver had one & she'll have to apply for a new one.
The DWP will not give NINo.s over the phone for security reasons.
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