Google will not honor pixel 4a appeasement options without proof of purchase

This is so far my experience with the pixel 4a appeasement options. I installed the latest update and as expected it has badly affected the battery. I went for the 100USD option to use towards a new phone, but it turns out that i have to submit proof of purchase. Well, the phone is bought back in Nov 2020 and I must have deleted the email for proof of purchase. The funny thing is that on the batter replacement programme page, this was not a definitive requirement to benefit from the programme. It looks like this whole appeasement options are just a show. Out pixel 4a s will die with no appeasement. Just so you know everyone with a pixel 4a who are hoping to benefit from appeasement options.

Edit: I just checked this page here https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/15701861?visit_id=638717865671652586-3271645595&p=pixel4a_battery&rd=1, and nowhere it suggests that one should provide proof of purchase. It mentions of 'proof of ownership'. The other things is that this could be a gifted phone as well.