i have been working on trying to find out how to get my NIN for the past few days. what a pain in the...
anyway, i have found that most of the Job Centres around the area have absolutely NO CLUE as to what is going on. i have been given so many numbers to call that are either dead end numbers, numbers to places that no longer have the particular dept. that i need, numbers to places that no one answers the telephones, or numbers that connect to even more people that have no clue and give me more numbers to call. *sigh* :\\\'(
i called the Derby Job Centre, and finally spoke to someone that knows what's going on.
here is the deal...
i have an employer that is interested in hiring me. (*takes a bow*) this will (hopefully) be my first job in the UK. the employer needs to give me a letter, like a job offer, saying they want to hire me to start on whatever day, working however many hours at £___ pay per hour, etc.
once i have that, i can phone the Derby Job Centre at: (01332) 243 754 to make an appointment for an interview to get my NI Number. appointments are usually made within the week that you call, and it takes about 3-6 weeks to get your number. Meanwhile, i guess they will give me a temporary number to use (for the employers' bookkeeping records, etc).
then i guess i will be ready for work!
i was also told by the DWP (Dept. of Work and Pensions) that i have up to 1 year to work without a NI Number, but i really just want to get this sorted as soon as possible.
you DO NOT make your own tax credit temporary reference number, they said. they would give it to you. this temporary reference is NOT a NI #. they will use the number to process your claim, but it does not mean that they will be able to pay tax credits. the temp # will be an 8 digit number beginning with the letters OO, and it may appear on letters you or your employer recieve about your tax credit claim. this temp. reference will only be used by the Tax Credit Office, not any other part of the Inland Revenue, Dept for Work and Pensions, or any other govt dept.
i hope this info may be helpful...