PUBLISHED 07.02.2018
The Office of the Public Guardian has launched a refund scheme for overcharged power of attorney applicants.
A government scheme has been launched to enable people in England and Wales to claim back some of the fees they paid the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) for registering their Lasting Powers of Attorney. The OPG was told to offer the partial refunds because it significantly reduced its processing costs, between 1 April 2013 and 31 March 2017, without a corresponding reduction in the fees it charged. If anyone paid the fees for registration between those dates, they are entitled to a refund by applying to the OPG.
For more information, and if you would like to claim a refund, please use the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/power-of-attorney-refund
Each refund may be worth between £45 and £54, and can be claimed if a fee was paid to register either
– an Enduring Powers of Attorney; or
– a Lasting Powers of Attorney, between 1 April 2013 and 31 March 2017
The OPG has estimated that up to £89million of refunds may be due, but will only be making payment if claims are made to them. If you think you may be entitled, please apply to the OPG directly using the link above.