Sara Tancock, AFF Overseas Assistant, has been finding out why signing up for online government accounts to access services is a good idea for those planning an overseas assignment…
Until recently a Government Gateway account has been an easy way to keep a track of UK services and benefits, from child benefit and tax-free childcare to pensions and National Insurance contributions. Wherever you are in the world, you should be able to view, amend and submit important documents as your personal circumstances change.
Sara says: “Families need to be aware that currently this doesn’t automatically enrol you into a suite of services. Once you have your unique 12-digit Government Gateway user ID, you need to register for other online services separately.”
GOV.UK ONE LOGIN ROLLOUT
However, change is on the horizon. The new GOV.UK One Login aims to provide a single way for you to create an account, log in and prove your identity to access central government services, providing one ‘front door’. This programme is led by Government Digital Service (GDS).
The GOV.UK One Login system is now operational for some services. You can set up an account, sign in and then prove (and reuse) your given information to access a growing list of government services, including the HM Armed Forces Veteran Card.
GOV.UK One Login expects to onboard more than 100 services this year, including the Office for the Public Guardian, Companies House, HM Revenue and Customs, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, and the Department for Work and Pensions. See gov.uk for more details.
GOV.UK Wallet
The GOV.UK Wallet is the government’s secure digital wallet, designed to make it easier for you to store and share your government-issued documents in one place.
It will provide you with a secure and convenient way to access your documents instantly whenever you need them. It will also give you more control over your documents – so you can share what you want, when you want.
The GOV.UK Wallet will be rolled out in stages, with the first digital version of a document being the HM Armed Forces Veteran Card, followed by a digital driving licence later in the year. More documents, and more functionality, will be rolled out over the following years.
Veteran Card
The digital version of the Veteran Card will be available to use alongside your existing physical card this summer. Your digital Veteran Card will give you a secure and convenient way to show you are a veteran on your smartphone device.
If you do not have a Veteran Card yet, you can apply for one through GOV.UK. Currently, a UK address is required to apply, however veterans who do not have a UK address will be able to apply later this year. If you left service after 2018 you should have automatically received your Veteran Card.
While these new smartphone friendly apps will undoubtedly help those mobile army families within the UK, the potential value for those going overseas could be exponential. No more lost documents! However, AFF is aware that not everything always runs smoothly and we will be monitoring what works and what doesn’t for families overseas as the rollout expands.
If you have experienced any digital administrative difficulties overseas relating to UK government services, or if you have any questions on the implications of the new digital driving licence for those on overseas assignments, do let us know by contacting overseassupport@aff.org.uk