Applying for credit card - no credit record & no entry on electoral role

MrSpicy

This question is actually on behalf of my Mum - sadly my Dad died recently, and she is now trying to get a credit card in her own name for the first time. She's always just been an additional card holder with the card in my Dad's name. They did have a John Lewis card, but that's now been cancelled since Dad's death, and they've refused her application for a card in her name. They've always had good credit - always pay the card off full every month - enjoying the convenience of just paying once a month and the perks of this particular card.

There's going to be a few issues for her in terms of getting a credit reference:
1) She's never had credit in her name. I don't know if she was named on the mortgage (which was paid off years ago), but I suspect not as she was not working with an income during the time they had a mortgage.
2) Her income - we don't know exactly what it will be as we're waiting to hear back on revised pensions/benefits - but we suspect it should be around £10-£12K. No major outgoings other than normal living costs - gas/electric/water/council tax/insurance/food/property upkeep.
3) The major issue is I think that she is not on the electoral role, and cannot be. She is a Swiss national - she has full right to live in the UK, but not to vote as she doesn't have British nationality, so cannot be on the electoral role.

Whilst we try and sort this out I've added her as an additional card holder on a credit card in my name, but if possible would like to try and get her a card in her name at some point.

Is there any way of overcoming the problems listed above - particularly (3)?

TIA

Ref44

See link; it may be of help with 3:

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/immigration/staying-in-the-uk-if-youre-from-the-eu/

MrSpicy

Thanks - that side of things was all sorted last year before Dad died - Mum has full settled status, can legally stay resident in the UK. But she'll never be on the electoral role as she's not a British (or EU) national, so cannot vote in British elections.

Martin_the_Unjust

Depending on your confidence in your mum could you not take out a card and put her as an additional card holder?

[Deleted User]

Start with her bank as they know her and can see her income every month (pension, salary whatever)

If not, try a credit builder card from the likes of Vanquis or Capital One and go from there

My condolences for your loss

Marchitiello

MrSpicy said:

Thanks - that side of things was all sorted last year before Dad died - Mum has full settled status, can legally stay resident in the UK. But she'll never be on the electoral role as she's not a British (or EU) national, so cannot vote in British elections.

She should still be able to vote on local election with a settled status , are you sure she cannot register? 

MrSpicy

Marchitiello said:

MrSpicy said:

Thanks - that side of things was all sorted last year before Dad died - Mum has full settled status, can legally stay resident in the UK. But she'll never be on the electoral role as she's not a British (or EU) national, so cannot vote in British elections.

She should still be able to vote on local election with a settled status , are you sure she cannot register? 

Thanks - you're quite right so it seems. I thought she'd always told me should couldn't. Maybe I misunderstood or that's what she thinks. So perhaps she is on the electoral role - I'll need to investigate further!

Marchitiello

MrSpicy said:

Marchitiello said:

MrSpicy said:

Thanks - that side of things was all sorted last year before Dad died - Mum has full settled status, can legally stay resident in the UK. But she'll never be on the electoral role as she's not a British (or EU) national, so cannot vote in British elections.

She should still be able to vote on local election with a settled status , are you sure she cannot register? 

Thanks - you're quite right so it seems. I thought she'd always told me should couldn't. Maybe I misunderstood or that's what she thinks. So perhaps she is on the electoral role - I'll need to investigate further!

Even before Brexit EU citizens and people with other type of “settled status” (Indefinite leave to remain or permanent residency) could always vote for Local elections.. it is just parliamentary elections that are only open to UK and Irish citizens 

Dobbibill

Welcome to the forum and sorry for you loss.
For the credit card, she could start by checking her credit files to see exactly what information is held. 
You may find she has a current account, mobile phone, energy, water bills all recording information regularly. This means she has some history/data. 
For applications, start with her own bank and if not try one of the sub-prime cards like Vanquis, Aqua etc. 
Use the cards eligibility checker initially - while not guaranteed results, it will give her an idea.