Talk to us:

01566 772375

Talk to us:

01566 772375

Are you entitled to a fee refund for your Lasting Power of Attorney?

Recently a scheme has been launched to refund anyone who paid more than they should have done when applying to register a power of attorney.

If you applied to register a Lasting Power of Attorney or we did so on your behalf with the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) between 1st April 2013 and 31st March 2017 and paid application fees then you may be due a partial refund.  This scheme will run for three years.

The application fee was reduced by the Ministry of Justice in April 2013 from £130.00 to £110.00 per registration and again in 2017 from £110.00 to £82.00 per registration.

The refund scheme allows those who paid a higher fee when costs were reducing to claim a partial refund as the government is not allowed to make any sort of profit from the services that they offer.

If you, or someone acting for you, thinks you may be eligible for a refund then visit www.claim-power-of-attorney-refund.service.co.uk for more details.

Please note that only the person that made the LPA or EPA, the Donor or Attorney or a Deputy or a Personal Representative can apply for the refund.  Also only the person that made the LPA or EPA or their personal representative if they have died, can receive the funds.

There is a helpline to contact at the OPG being 0300 456 0300 and option 6 should be selected.

Only one application is needed per Donor as the OPG’s computer will pick up all the refunds due to the person from the details provided.

Interest will also be applied to the refund at a rate of 0.5% from the date the original registration fee was paid.  The process is likely to take around 12 weeks from start to end.

How much will you get?

This very much depends on the fees you have paid and as confirmed above you will also receive 0.5% interest.  You can still claim a refund even if you don’t know when you paid the fees.

When you paid the fee – April to September 2013 – Refund for each power of attorney – £54.00

October 2013 to March 2014 – Refund for each power of attorney – £34.00

April 2014 to March 2015 – Refund for each power of attorney – £37.00

April 2015 to March 2016 – Refund for each power of attorney – £38.00

April 2016 to March 2017 – Refund for each power of attorney – £45.00

It does take about 10 minutes to claim online and you will need the Donor’s UK bank account details and sort code.

You must claim by phone if:-

  • The donor doesn’t have a UK bank account.
  • The Donor has died.
  • You are a Court appointed Deputy.

The refund helpline number is 0300 456 0300 (chose option 6)

If you claim is approved the refund will be paid to the Donor’s bank account and you can appeal if your claim is rejected by contacting the refund helpline on the number above or by email to:

poarefunds@justice.gsi.gov.uk

 

Katherine Flashman Kitson

Katherine Flashman Kitson

Katherine is a Director and Head of the Litigation Department. She joined Parnalls in 1996 and became a Partner and subsequently Director of the business. Katherine specialises in various aspects of litigation including personal injury, accident claims, clinical negligence, employment, defending clients from public prosecutions and road traffic offences.
Katherine Flashman Kitson

Katherine Flashman Kitson

Katherine is a Director and Head of the Litigation Department. She joined Parnalls in 1996 and became a Partner and subsequently Director of the business. Katherine specialises in various aspects of litigation including personal injury, accident claims, clinical negligence, employment, defending clients from public prosecutions and road traffic offences.

Share this post:

Share this post: