PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Self-employment Income Support Scheme: Northern Ireland (31 May 2020)

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, for what reason people in Northern Ireland applying for the Self Employment Income Support Scheme are required to undergo additional credit checks after providing Northern Irish driving licenses and Irish passports.

Asked by:
Alison McGovern (Labour)

Everyone applying for the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) undergoes the same process for confirming their identity.

People who have engaged with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) online in the past using an existing Government Gateway credential – for example, in order to file their Self-Assessment tax return – can reuse their existing online Government Gateway credentials to claim the grant. Most people who are eligible to claim have credentials already.

Those dealing with HMRC online for the first time will be required to verify their identity. HMRC worked quickly with the Driving and Vehicle Licencing Agency to enable people to use a GB driving licence to verify their identity for SEISS. It has not been possible to add non-UK passports or non-GB driving licences to the Government Gateway authentication service in the same timeline. HMRC are currently exploring whether it is possible to connect to Northern Ireland Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) and Irish Passport Service data, as part of their continuing improvement of the Government Gateway.

Those who do not have a UK passport or GB driving licence can use the multiple-choice questions option to verify their identity. This uses a financial checking service that does not require a passport or driving licence. Anyone who is unable to verify their identity in this way can make their claim by telephone.

Answered by:
Jesse Norman (Conservative)
3 June 2020