Our fees
A fee might be required for registering your power of attorney (PoA) or for some of the other services we provide. The majority of our fees are due at the time of making an application to us.
However, there are certain circumstances where you may be entitled to claim a fee exemption. You will need to apply to us using our application form if you are claiming a fee exemption. Read our quick guide for more information. Please note that the exemption scheme for powers of attorney started in April 2016 and does not apply retrospectively.
Who is entitled to apply for a fee exemption?
A granter of a PoA or an incapable adult in receipt of any of the following benefits:
- an income-based jobseeker's allowance
- universal credit
- personal independence or adult disability payment
A granter of a PoA or an incapable adult or their spouse/civil partner in receipt of:
- Income-related employment and support allowance
- Income support
- Pension credit guarantee credit only
- *Working tax credit including a disability or severe disability element
- *Working tax credit including child tax credit
- Scottish welfare fund payments (crisis grant or community care grant if granted within a 3 month period before the fee due date)
*Working tax credit eligibility applies if the gross annual income used to calculate working tax credit is £20,592 or less
Civil legal aid
You can apply for a fee exemption if legal aid awarded to help with the costs of making the court application for a guardianship or intervention order. The exemption will only cover our registration fee.
If a fee is payable in connection with work being undertaking by solicitor which qualifies for civil legal aid as a matter of special urgency an exemption may be claimed.
Other
If you feel you have cause to apply for a fee exemption but your situation does not fit into one of the specific categories mentioned above, please completed section 4 of our form and state the reason you believe an exemption should be offered. You must attach relevant evidence to support your claim. If evidence is not available, please telephone us to discuss your situation.
How to apply?
Please complete our application form and return it to us along with the relevant supporting documentation detailed below:
- award statement issued by the Department of Work & Pensions (DWP)
- award issued by HMRC
- award letter issued by a local authority if a Scottish Welfare Fund payment was granted
- legal aid certificate
You will need to send us the completed application form and award statement or legal aid certificate to process any claims for fee exemption.
Please do not send a fee along with your application. If a fee is due we will contact you to let you know.
If applying for exemption from paying a power of attorney (PoA) registration fee, please send your application and supporting evidence along with the PoA document.
If you do not have any information to support your application, please contact us on 01324 678300.