Meeting tomorrow and no documents

[HailtotheBop]

Wise women of Mumsnet,

Please can you advise about something fairly urgent in relation to my DM.

DM is hoping to move into sheltered housing. This will be great for her and is much needed because she's struggling to manage in her present home and feels isolated. She's been bidding for a council run sheltered housing place for a long time and never been successful, until now!

She finally has an appointment to view a flat tomorrow. My brother and I both live some distance away from DM, but I'm going there tomorrow to be with her for the viewing.

I've literally just learned that the appointment tomorrow is for an affordability check as well as DM seeing the flat. It turns out DM needs three months' recent bank statements, photo ID and letters relating to pension / benefits etc. Here's the kicker - I've discovered she doesn't have any of these things! She tells me she's shredded her bank statements, can't find any relevant letters and I already knew she might be struggling with photo ID as she has no passport or driving licence.

I'm going to set off extra early in the morning so we can call at her bank in person to request the statements. (She doesn't do internet or phone banking as she gets confused and can't remember passwords etc).

Any bright ideas as to how we might solve the ID and benefit / pension letters issue? There seems little point turning up to the meeting without the relevant documents.

Thank you.

Hopeful bump - anyone?

Bus pass?

I think honesty is your best option here. Explain what the circumstances are and that you will request the statements asap and pop them in when they have been received.
Has your mum got absolutely no photo ID? Passport etc. did she vote and take ID? If no take her bank card and anything with her current address on to show that she is genuine and ask them what else they would accept.
Lastly don't loose sleep over this. She won't be the first person unable to show documentation in the day. The fact she is in the housing system shows at some point she has been verified.
I hope it goes well for her 💐

Get the bank statements, phone the council for a copy of the benefits letter. Then attend the meeting, view the property and say you'll forward on the other documents later. They'll be able to see the benefits coming into the bank so it shouldn't stop the discussions, you just won't be able to move forward until they've ticked the boxes.
Look online about government issued photo ID. Or search for expired passports (expired passports were still OK for voting - they still show who you are etc).

Can you set up an on line account to get her DWP pension etc info?
as pp have said, this won’t be the first time this has happened

her pension and benefits income will be on her bank statements. Not as good as actual pension and benefits statements, but a start anyway!

Thanks everyone. Your replies are very reassuring. Mum does have a bus pass, yes! So we can take that along.

Mum's had a postal vote for years, so I don't think she's ever needed to produce ID.

We're planning to attend the meeting tomorrow and hopefully provide the documents later - we can definitely get copies of bank statements and pensions info.

Thank you again, it's definitely helpful to be reminded that it won't be the first time this has happened. The opportunity to view the flat came at short notice so we've been caught on the hop!

Just to update - Mum viewed the flat today and has accepted it! No issues with the missing documents, as long as she has them before she signs the tenancy, all will be well. Thank you again!

They will be used to this sort of thing, and as long as you show willing to produce the necessary documents, it should surely be fine. Hoping the viewing goes well and your DM likes the flat.

Excellent. It's not easy!

Excellent news. I hope she's happy in her new home.