cdfergus

So, I have been in touch via phone and mail with HMRC for ages and they cannot locate a number for me. I am traveling to UK in Sept to find a place to live and will be staying with my cousin. I know it is probably not kosher, but could I apply while I am there and use his address do you think? From the UK.gov website it looks as though I could phone for a number as I am not applying for benefits. Thoughts anyone?

BTW, I need a number to apply for housing

Thanks

Pulaski

How old were you when you left the UK?

So you're bringing your American husband, on a spouse visa? .... What sort of housing are you applying for that you need an NI number?

cdfergus

18. I was born in 1951 and at that time you had to apply for one. This changed in the 70's after I left. I never worked, and my family never claimed benefits so I never got one.

cdfergus

With the local housing authority.

LondonSquirrel

You might want to check that your wife is allowed assistance with housing under a spouse visa.

BristolUK

I started work in 1973 and, as you say, I applied for one.

6 months later it was a major part of my job to issue NI numbers

I'm not sure exactly when it was, maybe not until the 80s but NINOs were then triggered as a result of parents applications for child benefit, so people got numbers without necessarily knowing they had one and they were ready for when it was needed.

Many years later, around 2000 and with a completely new system, I was again involved with their issue occasionally and you could only get one if there was a need - a need being employment/tax or a benefit or pension claim that was to be paid by DWP (not local authority, although they would like one)

It sounds like you won't have one. Temporary numbers were generally issued when an application for a permanent one was made.

I imagine your only reason for needing one now would be tax and any potential Pension Credit application.

There should be no problem using a temporary or indefinite address so long as you have plenty to verify ID.

When I was doing the job an acknowledgment letter was issued and that would have the temporary NINO on it and this would satisfy the LA inlieu of the permanent one some weeks or months later depending on other difficulties.

verystormy

You do know that local authority housing is incredibly short supply and even priority cases can take years, while you will be regarded as very low priority. You may be waiting many years.

scot47

I can point out Housing Associations in Scotland that have empty properties waiting for tenants.

mrken30

scot47

These are the ones we keep for dim-witted English visitors.

cdfergus

cdfergus

Thanks, I did check and we are OK on that!

cdfergus

Thank you!

mikelincs

They should be allowed local authority housing, but NOT housing or Council tax benefit.

cdfergus

Yes, that is my understanding too. Thanks