Sophie Hayes

Learner with no NI number

Edited

None

We have an asylum seeker who wants to start attending our Tailored Learning ESOL provision. They meet the residency funding criteria but don't have a NI number yet. As far as I can tell, NI numbers are now mandatory for TL and will create errors if one isn't present. Is there a workaround for this or do we have to wait until the learner has a NI number before we can enrol them?

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Steve Hewitt

There are no validation rules on NINOs except for Apprentices, so it won't error without one. Also, I don't think the ILR Spec even says they are *compulsory* for any other funding stream...

Sophie Hayes

Thanks for clearing that up, Steve - I think I'd quickly looked at the ILR spec and seen it was a 'Collection Requirement' for the TL funding stream, but didn't read the notes... 

Angela Wilson

Hi there, just if it helps, we explore the circumstances as to why they don't have an NI number, if they intend to work or claim benefits they should have one or intend getting one, and the ILR spec does say anyone claiming benefits should have NINO provided via ILR, so as long as you're comfortable they aren't on benefits you should be able to put them through.  It tends to only be Asylum Seekers we find who may not have them 'yet' or the odd older person who is maybe retired and not claiming benefits or intending to work but as Steve said it's not mandatory but very much encouraged.  We get probably about 97% of NINOs but have to allow for the odd one that doesn't have one for valid reasons.