Anyone cashed in premium bonds recently?

[alltoomuchrightnow]

I have some big car expenses that are quite urgent...
I'd forgotten I had some premium bonds; basically when I was a child , family paid into that like a savings account. I didn't know much about it but my dad reminded me the other day (in view of my car issues) and handed me the papers for it and there's 2k which would be a lifesaver right now...

Apparently the way to cash them in has now changed... can anyone explain to me how they did it if was recent? ( I struggle with dyscalculia and have got really awful brain fog right now too... I find forms etc a challenge and I have no one to help)
I'm worried I don't have the relevant ID..
Right now I have.. no in date passport, no driving license and no birth certificate.
When I left domestic violence last year a lot of things got lost or destroyed.
I've applied for a new birth certificate as I couldn't get a new driving license
without one (DVLA sent back my filled in form) Trouble is it's not turned up.
All I have is bank card and utility bills.. would this be enough?
(and yes I do realise it's illegal to drive without my license but I'm doing my best to try and get a new one..)

@alltoomuchrightnow Are you able to login to your NS&I account online?

Yes I got money out very easily - I had set up my account online here https://www.nsandi.com/online-registration and as part of it had given my bank details and got the money in a few days by bank transfer. If you have moved since bonds bought you might need to call them.

Well, if you can login to your NS&I account

1 Login to your NS&I account
Need - NS&I number (not your bond numbers) - Surname, - password

2 Select ‘Your Dashboard’
(This is usually what you are presented with first anyway)

3 Under ‘Premium Bonds’ click ‘Cash in’

4 Give the Amount
Click ‘Cash in’
They say: You'll receive the money in your bank account within 3 banking days

You just log in and press the big orange button that says 'cash out'

A very simple google search could have saved us having to read all those words.

my dad reminded me the other day (in view of my car issues) and handed me the papers for it and there's 2k which would be a lifesaver right now...

It seems pretty unlikely the OP has an on-line account though.

Yes, it's easy once it is all set up, but you have to go through all that first.

But it sounds very much like OP doesn't have a NS&I account - her Dad has literally just handed her the bond certificates that were likely purchased in the 1970s.
OP, your best bet is to call them. They will advise how to release the cash and the ID requirements.

Info here

I have tried online
They say they'll send a password through the post
I guess I can't access anything until then.

Holycrabsticks, isn't Mumsnet about reading words? I said I have dyscalculia, I'm also suffering hugely right now from brain fog, bereavement and PTSD.. forms are an issue for me. Just wanted some friendly help. Thanks to those who replied.

Jobmatch, yes , started in early 70s!

Holy, if it was that easy, I'd have done that...
that's why I asked on here. How can I just log in to something I'm not registered with? I have now registered and can't just withdraw. There is no 'cash out' button. I have to prove who I am first. Unfortunately they say they will send a password by post.. not email

Your password should come through the post quite quick, think it says up to 7 days but mine was about 3 if I recall correctly.

Then you verify the online account and withdraw to your bank, usually a couple of days till it’s actually in the bank.

Pre the internet I remember getting a form from the post office that you had to send off attaching the bonds you wanted to cash in - wonder if they still do that or just assume everyone uses the online facility, I imagine a lot of older people maybe don’t.

Result though having Premium Bonds you forgot about and if you have moved house there may even be some prizes sitting waiting for you 😀

I remembered a few years ago that I used to have at least one, and filled in a form with decades of previous addresses for NS&I to search for it for me. They found it. In four decades, it had won absolutely nothing but was still worth every penny of the £5 my parents invested around 1980.

Since then I've bought and sold them easily online. I still have the original one. It still hasn't won anything.

Back, it's an absolute lifesaver given my car expenses right now..it's been one thing after the other and as a first time homeowner after leaving DV I do not have savings... for years I kept winning £25 per year (as an adult) but nothing
for several years now

Are you saying you’re currently driving without a license? So also no insurance?

I have insurance! I'm trying to replace a lost license

How can I just log in to something I'm not registered with? I have now registered and can't just withdraw. There is no 'cash out' button. I have to prove who I am first. Unfortunately they say they will send a password by post.. not email

All of which might be a bit frustrating when you could do with the money yesterday, but is actually quite reassuring, objectively, that it wouldn't be / hasn't been so easy for a fraudulent withdrawal of your money, so the money your parents invested in bonds for you all those years ago, is still there for you when you need it