If you have any queries about National Insurance, you should call this helpline. This number is open seven days a week. Make sure you write down your query before you call. This will help you avoid mistakes and prevent confusion.
A NI number is a unique number used to identify people’s contributions to the National Insurance system in the United Kingdom. It has a format of two prefix letters and six digits followed by a suffix letter.
NI number
The NI number is used to keep track of your National Insurance contributions and tax, so it’s important that it’s kept safe. Your NI number is made up of two prefix letters, six numbers and one suffix letter (for example, QQ123456C). It never changes. You can find it on your NI card or by calling the HMRC helpline.
If you have a valid NI number, you should receive your card before you start work in the UK. You should also keep it safe, as it’s unique to you and can be used only by you. You may need it to claim benefits, or when applying for a mortgage or loan. You can also use it to check your National Insurance record online.
Your NI number is important because it keeps a record of your NICs, which you’ll pay over your working life to qualify for certain state benefits. You’ll need a valid NI number to be employed in the UK, and it’s also used to track your earnings.
If you have a NI number, you can write to the HMRC at the address below with any National Insurance queries except complaints. The helpline is open from Monday to Friday, but it’s closed on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays. You should include your NI number with all correspondence, as it’s a useful reference for HMRC staff.
NI card
A NI card is a document showing your National Insurance number (NINO) and details of any other benefits you may be entitled to. You can get one if you have a job or are looking for work in the UK. NI cards are issued by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). You will usually need to attend a face-to-face interview with an HMRC official as part of your application. These interviews are called ‘evidence of identity interviews’ and are designed to help you prove your identity.
You can find your NI number on documents from HMRC, such as payslips and PAYE coding notices. You can also check your NI number online by signing up to your Personal Tax Account. Once you have your NI number, you can use it to claim benefits, update your address, or apply for a tax refund.
NI numbers are unique to everyone who lives in the UK, whether they are born in England, Scotland, or Wales. They are used to identify people in the National Insurance system, and to record the taxes and contributions they pay. Having a NI number does not guarantee that you have the right to work in the UK, and employers should carry out checks before hiring people.
Your NI number is in the format of 2 letters, six digits, and then an A, B, or C, like QQ123456A. You can use your NI number to check if you have the correct format, and a letter from HMRC will confirm your NI number if you need it.
NI record
The National Insurance record (NIR) is a document listing all the National Insurance contributions you have paid and the NI credits you have received. It also includes any gaps in your NI payments and how you can fill them. It’s important to check your NI record regularly as the rules change frequently. You can find it on letters from HMRC and pay slips. It’s usually in the format of two prefix letters, six digits and one suffix letter.
You’ll be issued a NI number shortly before your 16th birthday, and it will be used by all sorts of people and bodies – including employers and pension providers, local councils, student finance agencies, banks and building societies. It is a unique identifier for you and is used to administer the UK’s social security system.
A gap in your NI records can be caused by years or partial years when you didn’t pay National Insurance contributions (or receive NI credits). These could be because you were unemployed, you spent time caring for family members, or you worked abroad.
It’s worth checking whether you can fill any gaps in your NI record before the deadline in 2025. According to Money Saving Expert, doing this could boost your State Pension by thousands of pounds. But it’s worth remembering that the decision to pay voluntary NICs depends on your circumstances.
HMRC helpline
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) helpline is a government telephone number that you can use to get assistance with your tax and National Insurance queries. The HMRC helpline is free to call and offers a variety of options, including webchat, phone, and post. You can also visit an HMRC office for face-to-face support. Alternatively, you can appoint someone to deal with HMRC for you. This can be a family member, friend, or an adviser from a voluntary organisation.
However, there are still long waits to get through to the HMRC helpline. On average, people who try to call the self-assessment line wait 12.5 minutes before they are answered – a minute and a half longer than last year. This is because the HMRC has fewer people working on the call centres than in previous years.
The Treasury Committee has written to HMRC asking if they have fully considered the impact of closing the self-assessment helpline and whether they plan to reopen it in time for the 20/21 tax return deadline. In addition, the committee wants to know if they will improve the online service and increase availability of advisers on webchat and on the extra support team helpline.
The committee has also asked HMRC if it will consider providing a separate phone number for people with disabilities, who might find it difficult to use the webchat service. ביטוח לאומי טלפון