Can you claim a refund on your LPA application?
If you applied for a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) or Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) between 1 April 2013 and 31 March 2017, you were overcharged and can now claim a refund of up to £108.
Around one million people will be eligible but so far, less than 200,000 valid claims have been dealt with. So although you have plenty of time - until 31 January 2021 - it's worth making a start on the paperwork.
Savings not passed on
The Office of the Public Guardian introduced the scheme to allow donors or attorneys to claim a refund after savings made by a more efficient application process were not passed on to consumers in the form of lower fees.
You can claim for both types of LPA, the one covering property and financial affairs and the one for health and welfare, as well as EPAs made between the specified dates with a sliding scale of what you can claim depending on when you submitted the application.
The table below gives full details.
April to September 2013 - £54
October 2013 to March 2014 - £34
April 2014 to March 2015 - £37
April 2015 to March 2016 - £38
April 2016 to March 2017 - £45
You can only apply if the registration application related to LPAs and EPAs made in England and Wales. Half the refund will be available if an application for a remission was made. It is also possible for an executor or administrator to apply for a refund if the donor has died.
Other useful information:
- You can make an application for a refund online, by post or on the phone;
- The online form takes around 10 minutes to complete and you will need details of the donor's bank account number and sort code;
- If they don't have a bank account, or have died or you are a court appointed deputy, you will need to call the refunds line on 0300 456 0300. Claims take up to 12 weeks to be paid.
Further information about the refund scheme can be found on the Government website about how to claim a power of attorney refund.
If you have any queries or would like advice and information about LPAs please contact Wards Solicitors' Wills Probate and Mental Capacity team.