The Department of Economy has confirmed that databases other than the electoral register will be used for the High Street Voucher scheme.
Concerns had been raised that people who have been living and working in Northern Ireland for a number of years, yet are not classed as citizens, would be unable to sign up for the scheme as they are unable to sign up to the electoral register.
Michael from North Belfast told Belfast Live his Chinese wife was unable to apply for the register and he became worried that other people in her position would struggle to sign up for the scheme.
He said: "When we heard of the High Street Voucher Scheme we thought it was a great idea and were both eager to sign up for it.
"However, all of the information that I have heard regarding the scheme has said that people will be verified based on them being on the electoral register.
"While this will work for those of us from Northern Ireland, those who are living here from outside of the EU or UK cannot sign onto the electoral register, such as my wife.
"To me, it would appear to be very unfair if this is the only basis for people being apply to use the scheme as there are thousands of people living here who will not be able to sign up to the register yet have lived and worked here for a long time, with many of these being on the front lines of the health service during the pandemic.
"I hope that other ways of verifying people onto the scheme, such as those registered with National Insurance, to ensure that everyone is able to apply for it."
The Department for the Economy has said that every person who lives in Northern Ireland aged 18 and over will be eligible for the High Street Voucher scheme and while the electoral register will be used as the primary data set to confirm people's details, other government databases will also be used to check those not on the register.
A spokesperson said: “Every person resident in Northern Ireland, aged 18 and over, will be eligible to register for the scheme.
"The electoral register will be the primary data set to check peoples’ personal details. Other government databases will be used to check personal details for those individuals who are not on the electoral register.”
