Economy Minister, Gordon Lyons Has Said that Northern Ireland’s High Street Voucher Scheme will open on 27th September 2021 for applications.

 

What is it:

Every Adult in Northern Ireland, over the age of 18 will be eligible to apply for a £100 pre-paid card to encourage spending at retailers who have been badly affected by the Covid-19 lockdowns.

 

Key Dates:

Opens for Applications: Monday 27th September 2021

Closes for Applications: Monday 25th October 2021

Please note that it can take up to 5 weeks for cards to be delivered.

£100 to be spent by: Tuesday 30th November 2021

 

In order to receive your voucher, you must :

1. Be over the age of 18
2. Live in NI
3. Must be on NI’s Electoral Register as your identity will be checked against the Electoral database.
4. The application will be available online through the NI Direct website. There will be a phone service available from 11 October 2021 for anyone who cannot access the online application.
5. The following information will be needed for your application: – Name/ Address/ DOB/ Gender/ Disability/ National Insurance Number/ Driving Licence Number (If Applicable)/ Mobile Phone Number and Email Address.
6. You can register to complete an application on behalf of a limited number of other people, however, you must have their permission to do so & their personal details.
7. Once submitted, the information provided will first be checked against the electoral register database followed by the Driver Vehicle Licencing Agency.
8. Once your identity is confirmed, you will be sent information on your pre-paid card provider and when you should expect to receive this.
9. Once you receive the card – You will be required to verify it by SMS/ Phone or Computer before you are able to use it.
10. You cannot use this card to purchase anything online or pay for financial/ legal services.
11. Everyone will have a minimum of 4 weeks to use their pre-paid card, with the scheme closing on 30th November 2021.

 

The Electoral Office of NI (EONI) has clarified that the old register, which is being updated through a canvass, has not been wiped. It means that people will still receive their voucher if they are currently on the register.

You can register to be on the electoral database by   –  Clicking Here

 

How to Apply:

You will need an email address and your National Insurance number to submit an online application. If you wish to apply on the behalf of someone else, you will need access to their personal details. Please note you may only apply on behalf of four others including yourself.

Click here to apply online 

 

If you are unable to apply online, telephone applications will open on 11 October 2021. The deadline to apply using this method is 25 October 2021. More details on this will be announced closer to the time.