Get a national Insurance number: Homes for Ukraine
How to get a national insurance number if you are working or are claiming benefits.
Every person in the UK from 16 years old has a National Insurance (NI) number. It is made up of numbers and letters, never changes, and is unique to you.
It is used to make sure that any tax and national insurance payments you make are added to your record.
You can start work before you receive your National Insurance number if you can prove you have the right to work in the UK.
If you have a biometric residence permit (BRP)
If you have a BRP, you might have a National Insurance number already. It will be printed on the back of your BRP if you do.
If you do not have a National Insurance number, you must apply for one if you plan to work. You can only apply when you’re in the UK.
If you are applying for benefits
You do not need to apply separately for a National Insurance number. The benefit team will start the process for you as part of your application.
When you are assessed for benefits you will receive a text message to your phone which contains a link (URL) to apply for a National Insurance Number on gov.uk.
You must click the link and complete the application as soon as possible to avoid any delays.
If you are not applying for benefits
You can look for and start work without a National Insurance number if you can prove you have the right to work in the UK.
You can prove you have the right to work in the UK by showing your employer your:
- Biometric Residence Permit
- visa in your passport
Employers must make Right to Work checks on all potential employees. Having a National Insurance number is not part of these checks and having a National Insurance number does not prove that an individual has a right to work.
The employer you want to work for will tell you what documents you need to show.
If you do not have a National Insurance number, you can apply for one (this service is not translated). You are told which documents you need to provide when making your application.
If you leave the UK on a temporary basis
If you go abroad, you can continue to get Universal Credit for up to 1 month.
You must:
- be eligible for Universal Credit when you’re going abroad
- remain eligible for it while you’re abroad
- tell your work coach that you’re going, and let them know when you return