You can make a claim if you: had a deputy previously are acting on behalf of someone who had a deputy and has died The deputyship must have been active between 1 April 2008 and 31 March 2015. If you’re still acting as a deputy, you do not need to apply. Any overcharged fees will be refunded automatically. If you had a deputy previously If you had a deputy but you now make your own decisions, you can apply for a refund. You can also ask your property and financial affairs attorney to make a claim on your behalf. If you’re acting on behalf of someone who has died If the person who used to have a deputy (the ‘client’) has died, the executor of the will must claim the refund. If there is no executor, an administrator of the estate can apply. If there is no estate administrator, a family member can apply. What you do with the refund Any refund received should be divided between the beneficiaries of the client’s estate. If the client’s estate has already been settled, you can get help from Citizens Advice or a solicitor to make sure you comply with the law.

What you'll need to claim

To claim, you’ll need details of the person who had a deputy (the ‘client’). This includes their: name date of birth address when the deputyship ended date of death (if relevant) You’ll also need to provide details of the bank account you’d like the refund to be paid in to (if you do not want to be refunded by cheque). Documents you’ll need to provide You’ll need to send proof of your: name address right to apply (if you’re not the client) You can send scanned and photocopied documents. You can also send original documents. They will be returned to you by post. You need to send a different piece of evidence for each type of proof. Proof of your name This can be: current signed passport (copy of the page showing your name and photograph) original birth or adoption certificate current UK or EEA photocard driver’s licence (not provisional licence) full old-style driving licence EEA member state identity card or national identity photo card benefit book or original notification letter from the benefits agency Proof of your address This can be: utility bill (not a mobile phone bill) from the last 12 months current council tax bill bank, building society or credit union statement or passbook dated within the last 3 months original mortgage statement issued for the last full year council or housing association or rent card or tenancy agreement for the current year Proof of your right to apply Include a copy of: grant of probate (executors) letters of administration (administrators) death certificate (family members) If you’re a property and financial affairs attorney, you’ll need to provide the lasting power of attorney reference number.

You will need to complete a form and send it with your evidence . Claim by email Send the form and evidence as email attachments to: DeputyshipFeeRefunds@justice.gov.uk You’ll need to attach scanned copies or clear photographs of original documents. The email size limit is 10MB but you can send more than one email. Write ‘Deputyship fee refund application’ as the email subject. Claim by post Post the form and your evidence to: Deputyship Fee Refunds Office of the Public Guardian PO Box 10796 Nottingham NG2 9WF Claim by phone If you cannot claim by email or fill in the form yourself, contact the helpline. You’ll still need to send evidence. Refunds Helpline DeputyshipFeeRefunds@justice.gov.uk Telephone: 0300 456 0300 (choose option 6) Textphone: 0115 934 2778 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 9am to 5pm Wednesday 10am to 5pm Find out about call charges

You’ll be told by email or letter: when your application has been received if any information is missing whether your claim is successful the refund amount and when it’ll be paid the reasons for any rejection When you’ll get the refund It can take up to 10 weeks to get a decision and a further 2 weeks to receive the refund. If your claim is rejected You can appeal by contacting the Refunds Helpline. Refunds Helpline DeputyshipFeeRefunds@justice.gov.uk Telephone: 0300 456 0300 (choose option 6) Textphone: 0115 934 2778 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 9am to 5pm Wednesday 10am to 5pm Find out about call charges

Claim a deputyship fee refund

Overview

You might be eligible for a refund if you were overcharged deputyship fees by the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) for England and Wales.

The refunds are only for deputyship assessments and annual supervisions which took place between 1 April 2008 and 31 March 2015.

This page is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

To find out if you’re owed any money and how much you’ll get, you’ll need to make a claim to the OPG.

If you’re a deputy acting under a current court order, you do not need to apply for a refund. Any overcharged fees will be refunded automatically.

The deadline for refund claims is 4 October 2022.

What you’ll get

How much you get will depend on:

how much you paid and at what rate
how long you paid for
whether you have unpaid fees

Most refunds will be less than £200. You’ll also get 0.5% interest.

View a printable version of the whole guide

Claim a deputyship fee refund

Overview

What you’ll get

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Claim a deputyship fee refund

Overview

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