national insurance number

[mimi-moomoo]

i have just been posted my national insurance numbercard. Now what? There is nothing on the back about age but I did think you had to be 16 before you can go into work. I'm still 15 for a few more months now but as I have the card, can I go out and find a job?

[gina32]

not sure about the job thing but everyone gets one automatically when they are 15, if they dont they should apply for one

[mimi-moomoo]

okey doke :) thanks i'll get some applications done anyway

[dzug]

Yep you can apply for a job. You don't have to be 16 to work (not part time anyway) and your NI card has no real significance until you are 16 anyway

[Buenchico]

Your NI card has been posted to you so that you'll have it ready when you start full-time employment after you've officially left school (i.e. after 26 June 2009). Until then you can only work for a limited number of hours per day (and limited number of hours per week in total) and only in jobs approved by your local education authority (and with a permit provided by that authority):
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/ParentsRig hts/DG_4002945

The 26 June date applies to everyone in your school year group, irrespective of whether they've been 16 for many months already (e.g. since last September) or won't be 16 until well after that date (e.g. at the end of August). You all become eligible for full-time work at exactly the same time.

Chris

[TCL-MUMPING]

The June date does not apply in Scotland. A pupil can leave secondary school when they are:

16 years old between 1 March and 30 September - they can leave on the 31 May, or
16 years old between 1 October and end of February - they can leave at the Christmas holidays.