This is to remind all our clients who registered either Enduring Powers of Attorney (EPA) or Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA) between 1st April 2013 and 31st March 2017, that they are entitled to a partial refund of the registration fee they paid.
The scheme is being run by the Office of Public Guardian (OPG) and will close on 31st January 2021.The reason for the refund is because the OPG’s processing costs have been reducing in recent years. This lead to the Ministry of Justice lowering the application fee in April 2013 from £130 to £110 per registration, and again in 2017 from £110 to £82 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 form of profit from the services that they offer. In view of the sums involved we are encouraging our clients to make the application for a refund themselves, but of course we are happy to provide help if required.
If you, or someone you are acting for, thinks they may be eligible for a refund visit the website for more details and make a claim using the online service: www.claim-power-of-attorney-refund.service.gov.uk
Only the person that made the LPA or EPA (the ‘donor’), their attorney or deputy, or personal representative can apply for the refund. Only the person that made the LPA or EPA, or their personal representative if they have died, can receive the funds.
Only one application is needed per donor, as the OPG’s computer system will pick up all the refunds due to the person from the details provided. Interest will be applied to the refund at a rate of 0.5% from the date that the original registration fee was paid. The application process has been designed to be as easy to use as possible. Basic information about the donor, such as their name, address, date of birth, name and date of birth of at least one attorney, and the donor’s bank details will be needed to complete the application. The process is likely to take around 12 weeks from start to end.
If you don’t have internet access, or find dealing with issues online difficult, please contact the refund helpline by calling OPG on 0300 456 0300 or alternatively contact Liz Hooley at websters on 01223 507080.