Social Security Benefits

Question

Information on the nationality of claimants at the point of National Insurance number (NINo) registration is not used for benefit purposes so is not held on any benefit lines. As detailed in the background information and methodology, the administrative data generated from the Adult NINo Allocation and Registration service is analysed to produce the quarterly statistical publication on ‘National Insurance number allocations to adult overseas nationals entering the UK’. The administrative data which underpins this publication is the Migrant Workers Scan (MWS) and it is sourced from the HMRC National Insurance and PAYE Service (NPS) which is not used for benefit purposes.

DWP policy responsibility lies in establishing the eligibility of non-UK / Irish claimants to claim benefits. An individual’s specific nationality, either at the time of NINo registration or at the time of benefit claim, does not play a role in this. Eligibility differs by benefit but is usually determined by an individual’s immigration status, alongside their ability to meet the requirements of the Habitual Residence Test (for income-related benefits), the Past Presence Test (for disability benefits), and / or having the necessary National Insurance contributions (for contributions-based benefits).