New ID for Elderly

[Userelderly]

My father recently passed away and we're sorting out lots of banking and probate things for my Mum. She let her passport expire and although she has a driving license the picture fails most identity checks (and the passport picture is old also). I've suggested getting a new passport for ID purposes. She's never going to travel so doesn't need the passport for anything other than ID. Has anybody found another accepted form of ID for someone older who is not driving or travelling? Have looked on line and can't find anything. Thanks.

I think universally the passport is the best thing. Do get her a new one. No matter if she never travels. If she has a Blue badge that can be used in some circumstances as ID but not that many. Is she on the benefits she's entitled to? Attendance Allowance? If not then you should get her onto that. And get her the Blue Badge if she hadn't got that. Even if she doesn't drive. Others can use it to pick her up/drop her places.

@BobbyBiscuits

That's a huge assumption you are making to suggest OP mum should have attendance allowance and a blue badge

OP my nanna was able to use her Scottish bus pass for ID sometimes but tbh she never really needed to provide ID after she stopped travelling. I think renewing the passport or driving license update is the best way forward if your DM needs ID.

@arthar I'd rather make that assumption and encourage someone to claim than not mention it. It's not an insult.

You don't need to tell someone to get their parent on AA and get a BB to raise awareness of these things. They may be applicable, but to simply assume a person would qualify based on them being a persons mother is not just insulting but downright ageist.

Won't be useful to many, but passport renewals are free for those born before 1929.

This mentions an ID1 form for use in these circumstances. But in practice, passport will be a lot better, as staff in bank branches etc are often not trained to cope with non-standard forms of id.

@arthar I'm absolutely not accepting you calling my comments ageist or insulting.

Thanks everyone. I do think the passport is probably the best option. Unfortunately she doesn't have a blue badge, my dad did and it was very useful. She probably could apply for one so I might look into that. She wouldn't be eligible for any benefits of any sort.

You told OP to get her mother onto AA and get a BB based on absolutely nothing other than the fact she is OPs mother, if that's not ageist I don't know what is.

Is she on the benefits she's entitled to? Attendance Allowance? If not then you should get her onto that. And get her the Blue Badge if she hadn't got that.

You may not accept it, but it's there in black and white, and I stand by it

Does she have a bus pass? This is all my dad has as ID and so far has been accepted when he's needed to use it including things like solicitors.

@arthar well you're seeing things in completely the wrong way. I'd give that advice to anyone with an elderly parent. I have one myself and know what it's like. I'm quite perplexed you took what I said as insulting. It certainly was meant as the opposite.

She said "if" she has a Blue Badge. I hate ageism but I don't think that post was ageist.

No, I don't think you have to accept that.

Well they were.

@Userelderly thank you. If she's got any kind of illness or disability she can still claim Attendance Allowance. It's not means tested, so it doesn't matter how much money the person has.
Definitely get the Blue Badge, my mum has one even though she doesn't drive but it's helpful for others to pick her up etc. x

@ilovesooty

She said "if" she has a Blue Badge. I hate ageism but I don't think that post was ageis

She said if she is not on attendance allowance 'get her on that' and get a BB. How is making that assumption not ageist, when the only factor to go on was indeed the fact she is older than OP?

You would advise all people with an elderly patent to get them on attendance allowance and get a BB and you don't think that's ageist?

Thanks. x

Getting Blue Badges isn’t that straightforward in many areas! My parents had to be severely disabled to qualify for theirs.

Bobby - people dont just get AA and Blue Badges because they are elderly. Maybe it was the language you used but 'getting someone on to it' indicates that all will be accepted and that is definitely not the case.

My 89 year old Mum was refused AA first and its only when she had to get carers in that it was accepted.

Would the gold card (travel pass) be okay for identification?? I used mine when I voted.

Would a Citizen Card meet the criteria? It's a proof of age card but also accepted as Voter ID, recognised by the police. It's cheaper than a passport renewal.

www.citizencard.com/

She referred to benefits she was entitled to. It's reasonable to suggest an application if there is an entitlement. She didn't suggest applying purely because she is elderly.

Sorry to be going on but Bobby - saying if they have got any type of illness - what anything at all?? That really isnt true and misleading. I have asthma. Is that allowed?

That's not what she said.

@ilovesooty

She referred to benefits she was entitled to. It's reasonable to suggest an application if there is an entitlement. She didn't suggest applying purely because she is elderly.

You must be reading something else.