What is National Insurance?
National Insurance contributions are a type of tax levies by the UK Government. They are collected from wages on a Pay As You Earn (PAYE) basis, e.g. weekly or monthly depending on how your wages are paid. The Government uses the money they collect to fund the National Health Service.
The amount of National Insurance contributions you pay determines how much State Pension you will receive when you retire from work. The minimum qualifying period for a State Pension is twelve working years in the UK.
About you National Insurance Number
When you start work in the UK your employer will ask for your National Insurance Number. If you need to register for a number you must ring the Jobcentre Plus at 0845 600 0643 to arrange an appointment. The contact centre will ask for a few details and then agree a suitable time and day for you to attend the interview at the Jobcentre. Their address is:
Jobcentre Plus
No. 1 Cathedral Square
Cloth Market
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 1EE
If you require directions please ring 0191 215 2047.
About your National Insurance Number application
Once you have attended your interview, the completed form you will fill out at the interview will be sent to the Jobcentre allocation office called the Central Control Unit. This office will consider the application and contact you if further information is necessary. They will then send you a letter to tell you what you NI Number is or the reason your application was unsuccessful.
Please allow two weeks for the letter to arrive. If you do not receive the letter you should ring 0845 641 5036. You will be asked for your reference number beginning with the letter "A". This can be found on the receipt given to you at your interview.
After this letter your NI Number Card should arrive within 13 weeks. If you change address before you receive your letter and card please write a letter and post it to:
Freepost Plus
Jobcentre Plus
Glasgow CCU
Baird Street
G90 8BN
If you change your address after you receive your letter and card you notift Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs (HMRC) at 0845 302 1479.
At any time in the future you may request a new National Insurance Number Card by ringing 0845 915 7006.
Job Shop Frequently Asked Questions
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