How does the Scheme verify that I am a resident in Northern Ireland?
You are resident for the purpose of the Scheme if your identity can be verified against:
- the Electoral Register Northern Ireland; or
- the Driver and Vehicle Agency Driver Licensing Database; or
- the Department for Communities Benefits Database
When you apply, these checks will be carried out automatically. Information on this process can be found in the Scheme's Privacy Notice.
If you apply using a different address to that on the databases above, or if you are not on these databases, your application may not be able to be verified initially. In that case, you will need to provide further evidence. You will be provided with a link to upload additional evidence to support your application. This evidence must be submitted as soon as possible and no later than seven days of receiving the e-mail.
Further Evidence
The required evidence to prove your primary address must be one of the following (issued within the last twelve months):
- Bank, building society or credit union statement – the Department will not ask to see your bank account details, this is only to verify your address
- Debit or credit card statement – the Department will not ask to see your bank account details, this is only to verify your address
- Mortgage statement – the Department will not ask to see your bank account details, this is only to verify your address
- Rates bill
- Electricity, gas, water or telephone bill (including mobile phone)
- HM Revenue and Customs P2 notice of Coding form or Tax credit award letter
- Benefit statement issued by the Department for Communities
- Driving licence (photographic part issued within last 3 months)
- Tenancy agreement issued by housing association
- Electoral Office Certificate of Registration
- Letter from a DfE trusted partner (these are individuals or bodies identified by the Department to act as address verifiers for vulnerable members of society – these are listed in the FAQs)
- Any other evidence the Department is satisfied confirms residency (see the FAQs).
Name Changes can be evidenced by:
- Marriage Certificate
- Divorce Certificate
- Adoption Certificate
- Deed poll change of name
How does the Scheme verify I am old enough to apply?
Your age can be verified against:
- The Electoral Register Northern Ireland; or
- The Driver and Vehicle Agency Driver Licensing Database; or
- The Department for Communities Benefits Database
When you apply, these checks will be carried out automatically. Information on this process can be found in the Scheme's Privacy Notice.
If it has not been possible to verify your age initially, you may also be asked for further evidence to demonstrate you are 18 or over on 25 October 2021. The evidence of Date of Birth must be one of the following:
- Birth certificate; or
- Statutory declaration as to date of birth; or
- Passport (valid); or
- Driving licence (valid); or
- Bus Pass/Senior Citizen/DfI Smart Pass; or
- Electoral Identity Card; or
- NHS Medical Card (which clearly shows date of birth and address); or
- International Citizen Card; or
- Residence Permit.
What is the legal basis for testing residency in this way?
This test has been set out in The High Street (Coronavirus, Financial Assistance) Scheme Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021. Under paragraph 4(2) of those regulations, the Department has power to specify, by way of determination, the conditions to be satisfied as to residency. The determination is set out at High Street Scheme - resident determination.