REMINDERS about what is needed to apply for Northern Ireland's High Street voucher scheme have been issued ahead of its rollout next Monday.
Demand is expected to be high, with 1.4 million people over the age of 18 eligible for the £100 pre-paid card.
The £145m programme aims to help those businesses in retail and hospitality which were hit by the pandemic.
Economy Minister Gordon Lyons has issued assurances there will be enough time to apply, receive and use the card, and appealed for patience.
How the High Street Scheme will work
"It is important to remember that the portal will be open for four weeks and that that everyone will have at least four weeks to spend their card. So please be patient," he said.
"Help us to successfully manage this process by ensuring that you have all your required information ready when you apply, including your National Insurance number and driving licence if you have one."
The vouchers must be spent by November 30, with registration happening primarily through an online portal which will run from September 27 to October 25.
All applicants will be asked to provide their name, address, age, gender, disability status, National Insurance number, email address and telephone number.
Mr Lyons insisted the portal is "robust" and equipped to deal with more than one million applications over the next month.
"But we expect early demand to be extremely high. Therefore, by being patient and ready with your information, you will be helping yourself and everybody else," he added.
People without online access can register by phone from October 11.
Vouchers should be issued within seven to 10 days of making an application. When an applicant receives their card, they will need to verify the card through a computer-operated phone system or text message and make the first payment using a pin, before they can start to use it for contactless payments.
The cards can be used in all participating businesses across the north. They cannot be used online or for gambling or some financial and legal services.
