We can see you at home or at work, day or evening in London, Hertfordshire, Essex, Beds, Bucks and Berks and beyond and we have clients from Cornwall to Birmingham.

Lasting Power of Attorney - fee exemptions

If the Donor is in receipt of any of the following means-tested benefits and has not been awarded damages of more than £16,000, which were disregarded when determining eligibility for the benefit they are eligible for a full exemption:
• Income Support
• Employment and Support Allowance (income related)
• Income-based Job-Seeker’s Allowance
• Pension Guarantee Credit element of State Pension Credit
• A combination of Working Tax Credit and either Child Tax Credit, Disability Element Working
Tax Credit or Severe Disability Element (within the Working Tax Credit). This does not include
Disability Living Allowance or Invalidity Benefit;
• Housing Benefit
• Council Tax Benefit (not the 25% single person reduction or exemption);
• Local Housing Allowance.
In order to apply for an exemption of fees, you must enclose copies of recent letters (dated within the last three months) confirming receipt of the benefits above, such as letters from the DWP or benefit provider.

Lasting Power of Attorney - fee remissions

If the Donor’s gross annual income is less than £12,000, they will be eligible for a 50% reduction of the fee (the full fee is £82 from April 2017). Gross annual income may come from employment, non-means-tested benefits (such as Attendance Allowance and Disability Living Allowance), pensions and interest from capital investments.

In order to apply for a remission, you should send proof of the Client’s gross annual income, such as wage slips, bank statements or statements from a pension provider. The evidence provided should cover a period of at least three months.

Hardship
If the Donor does not qualify for remission or exemption but the payment of fees would cause undue hardship, for example make it difficult to meet normal living expenses, you can still apply to have fees waived by writing to the OPG with supporting statements and documents.

Review
If the application for fee exemption or remission is unsuccessful, you can request a review of the decision within four weeks by writing to the Head of Corporate Services at our address. If the original decision to refuse the remission or exemption is upheld, it will be referred to the Public Guardian and Chief Executive for confirmation.