Hi,

I need to apply for an NI number, and I can't seem to find an alternative number.
It's listed as 0845 6000 643 on the job centre website, and I've searched the database on this site but cannot find it.

Can somebody help?

Cheers,

Dave wrote on Jun 3^rd, 2008 at 12:44pm:


I suspect most of them no longer work as HMRC has had a very vigorous program indeed of closing down geographic alternatives to 0845 phone numbers.  Also why isn't the listing HMRC in the database as no one is going to search for HM Revenue.  People will either enter HMRC (how they brand and present themselves now) or Inland Revenue as their former well established name.  Surely you need to alter all HM Revenue entries in the database to HMRC or at least add HMRC to the name entry as well.

The only main central geographic number I am aware of at HMRC that still works and from which many sections and offices can be reached (if you ask to be transferred) is 0161.

This is not a situation many people will get into, however I hope it might help someone in the future.

I'm an American who just completed my Masters in the UK, and got a work visa. So I tried to apply for an NI number last week. The number to call is 0845 600 0643. Searching in the database says the equivalent geographic number is 0191 225 7006. Apparently this maps to 0845 916 7006, which is the number for enquiries rather than applications.

(Note: The number 0845 600 0643 appears several times in the database on its own, with no corresponding numbers - for removal perhaps.)

So, I tried calling 0191 225 7006, at different times from 8am onwards, on several days and with various phones with and without caller ID / 141. It was always engaged. I also tried other geo numbers I could find, including for my nearest Jobcentre Plus (Kilburn). None of them could help me and just gave me various 0845 numbers. So I conclude that it's not possible to SAY NO TO 0845 in this case.

Luckily for me, one of my old professors wanted to see me today, and he has access to a phone at work which the department pays for. Here's my advice for anyone who needs to call this number:

I called at around lunchtime, and the whole thing can be done in 3 minutes plus waiting time, which was only 2 minutes for me. I spent a bit longer than that since I wasn't paying for the call.

The first thing they will ask is why you want an NI number. If you don't already have a job or job offer, then you need to say you want to be self-employed (as long as your UK visa allows this). Otherwise they may not let you apply.

They will then ask for your visa type, end date of your visa, your nationality, the first time you entered the UK, your name, and your address. So have this information ready before you call. If you are a non-EU citizen AND you first came to the UK in the last few months, you will get a postal application. If not you will need to schedule an appointment at a Jobcentre Plus, so have your calendar ready as well.

I now discovered why my nearest Jobcentre couldn't help me. My appointment was at a further Jobcentre, which isn't even listed on the Excel spreadsheet of geo numbers posted on the Jobcentre thread. So don't waste time trying to find a geo number for your nearest Jobcentre.


So to sum up, this call can be done in about 5 minutes, and only needs to be made once per life. You won't pay more than 60p from a phonebox anyway, and if your mobile charges more than 10p/min you need to get a different SIM.