High Street Voucher Scheme Application Process

Lots of queries yesterday on the scheme please see answers below. 

𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲:

 ✅   Application portal will be launched in mid-September. 

✅   First tranche of cards to roll out mid-September with a further four tranches expected after. 

✅   A telephone service is anticipated to launch later in September. 

✅   Both the portal and telephone service is expected to close in mid-October for applications.

✅  It is planned that everyone will have a minimum of six weeks to use the cards with the scheme expected to close to any further payments by the card at the end of November.

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻 (𝗺𝗶𝗱 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿) 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝘁:

 ❇️   Register online on NI Direct. You will be presented with an information page on the High Street Scheme and a button to launch the registration process.

 ❇️   8 pieces of information will be requested during the registration process;

1️⃣              Name

2️⃣              Address

3️⃣              DOB

4️⃣              Gender

5️⃣              Disability

6️⃣              National Insurance Number

7️⃣              Driving Licence number - OPTIONAL!

8️⃣              Mobile phone number and email address. 

Please note that all fields are mandatory except driving licence number. Inputting your driver licence number will assist the checking process for your application.

❇️  You can register to complete an application on behalf of a limited number of other people however you must have their permission and their personal details.

 ❇️   Following completion of the online registration process, you will receive an email confirming the receipt of the application. The information provided will first be checked against electoral register database followed by Driver Vehicle Licencing Agency. This is an automated process with no access to your personal information.

 ❇️   Once your identity has been confirmed the details required to complete the process will be sent to the pre-paid card provider and you will receive an email to inform you that the registration process is now complete and when you should expect to receive your card.

 ❇️   If you are unsuccessful in the first phase of checks then your identity will be checked against a further suite of government databases. If you identity is confirmed then your details will be forwarded to the pre-paid card provider and you will receive a confirmation email. If your application is unsuccessful, you will be informed and directed to the appeals process.

𝗗𝗘𝗧𝗔𝗜𝗟𝗦 𝗢𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗨𝗔𝗟 … 𝗧𝗵𝗲 £𝟭𝟬𝟬 𝗣𝗿𝗲-𝗣𝗮𝗶𝗱 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗱

 ✅   Following a successful application to the scheme, you will be provided with a £100 pre-paid card which can be used in any local business with debit/credit card technology. The card can be used in card terminals that include a swipe facility as well as a pin facility.

 ✅  Once you receive your card you will be required to verify it by SMS, phone or on the computer before you are able to use it. You will be able to use it alongside other forms of payment subject to the merchant’s agreement.

 ✅   You can use the card to order and pay over the phone to purchase services from local businesses however you will not be able to purchase online service or products, to pay for financial services or to purchase legal services.