Can You Get an LPA Fee Reduction or Exemption?
How to pay less — or nothing at all — for your LPA registration fee.
Written by James Tyrrell · Reviewed by Anthony Dalton · Last reviewed
If you are on a low income or receiving means-tested benefits, you may not need to pay the full £92 registration fee for your LPA. The Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) offers fee reductions and full exemptions that could bring your cost down to £46 — or nothing at all.
At a glance
- If you receive means-tested benefits such as Universal Credit, the £92 LPA registration fee is waived entirely
- If your gross annual income is below £12,000, you qualify for a 50% reduction (£46 per LPA)
- The exemption or reduction applies to each LPA individually, potentially saving up to £184 for both types
- Eligibility is based on the donor's income and benefits, not the attorney's
Who Qualifies for a Full Exemption?
You do not have to pay the registration fee at all if you receive any of the following means-tested benefits at the time you apply to register your LPA:
- Universal Credit
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Housing Benefit
- A combination of Working Tax Credit and a disability element (or with a gross annual income of £12,000 or less)
- Council Tax Reduction (also known as Council Tax Support, depending on your local authority)
- Local Housing Allowance
The exemption applies to each LPA individually. So if you are making both a Property and Financial Affairs LPA and a Health and Welfare LPA, both registration fees are waived — saving you £184 in total.
Key point: The exemption is based on the donor's income and benefits, not those of the attorney or any other person involved in the LPA.
Who Qualifies for a 50% Reduction?
If you do not receive a qualifying benefit but have a low income, you may qualify for a 50% reduction. The current threshold is a gross annual income of less than £12,000. This reduces the fee from £92 to £46 per LPA.
"Gross annual income" means your total income before tax and other deductions. It includes earnings from employment, self-employment, pensions, rental income, and most other sources of income. It does not include certain benefits that are not means-tested, such as the State Pension or Disability Living Allowance.
If you are making both types of LPA, the 50% reduction applies to each, bringing the total from £184 down to £92 for both.
Universal Credit and LPA Fee Exemptions
Universal Credit is the most common qualifying benefit for a full fee exemption. If you receive any amount of Universal Credit — even a very small payment — you qualify for a complete waiver of the £92 registration fee.
You must be receiving Universal Credit at the time you apply for registration. If your claim has ended or been suspended, the exemption does not apply. Make sure your benefit is active before submitting your LPA.
If you are unsure whether your specific Universal Credit claim qualifies, the OPG helpline can advise you.
How to Apply for a Fee Reduction or Exemption
Applying for a fee reduction or exemption is built into the LPA registration process. You do not need to make a separate application. Here is how it works:
If Applying Online
When you use the government's online LPA tool, there is a section during the payment stage that asks whether you want to apply for a fee reduction or exemption. Select the appropriate option and you will be prompted to provide details. The tool will tell you what evidence to include when you post your signed LPA documents. You will not be charged the full fee at the online payment stage if you indicate that you qualify.
If Applying by Post
If you are sending a paper LPA application, complete the fee remission/exemption section of the application form (called LPA120). This form asks for your income details or benefit information and must be included with your LPA documents and evidence when you post them to the OPG.
What Evidence Do You Need?
The OPG requires documentary proof to support your claim for a fee reduction or exemption. The type of evidence depends on your grounds:
- For means-tested benefits: A copy of your benefit award letter or a recent statement showing you receive the qualifying benefit. The letter should clearly show the benefit name, that it is currently being paid, and that it is in the donor's name.
- For low income (under £12,000): Evidence of your gross annual income, such as recent payslips, a P60, tax return, or pension statement. If you have multiple income sources, provide evidence for each.
Send copies, not originals, as the OPG does not return documents. If you are applying online, you will post the evidence along with your signed LPA forms.
The OPG will review your evidence and confirm whether the reduction or exemption applies. If they need more information, they will write to you. This may add a few weeks to the overall registration time.
What If Your Application Is Rejected?
If the OPG decides you do not qualify for a fee reduction or exemption, they will contact you and ask you to pay the full £92 fee before proceeding with registration. Your LPA will not be rejected outright — you simply need to pay the difference.
If you believe the OPG's decision is wrong, you can contact them to discuss it. In most cases, providing additional evidence will resolve the issue. For more about the registration fee itself, see our guide on the government LPA registration fee.
Key Rules for LPA Fee Reductions and Exemptions
Keep these points in mind when applying:
- The reduction or exemption applies only to the government registration fee. If you use a solicitor or online service, their preparation fees are not affected.
- It is the donor's financial situation that matters, not the attorney's. Even if the attorney is paying on the donor's behalf, the donor must meet the eligibility criteria.
- You must qualify at the time of application. If your circumstances change after you apply, the fee already paid or waived is not affected.
- The exemption covers both types of LPA individually. You do not need to choose between them to save money.
For a broader look at all the costs involved in making an LPA, visit our guide on how much an LPA costs. And for details on what happens after you submit your fee, see our guide on how to register an LPA with the OPG.
For a full breakdown of what you'll pay, see our LPA pricing page, or learn how our guided service works.
Key Takeaways
- Universal Credit triggers a full exemption — any active UC claim at the time of registration means the £92 fee is waived completely
- Low income earners get 50% off — gross annual income below £12,000 reduces the fee from £92 to £46 per LPA
- Evidence is required — send copies (not originals) of benefit award letters, payslips, or P60s with your LPA application
- Only the government fee is affected — solicitor or service preparation fees are not covered by the reduction or exemption
- You must qualify at the time of application — if your circumstances change after submission, the fee already paid or waived is not affected
What People Ask About LPA Fee Reductions
What income threshold qualifies for a 50% LPA fee reduction?
If your gross annual income is less than £12,000, you qualify for a 50% reduction on the LPA registration fee, bringing it down from £92 to £46 per LPA. This is based on the donor's income, not the attorney's.
Does Universal Credit qualify me for a full LPA fee exemption?
Yes. If you receive any amount of Universal Credit at the time you apply to register your LPA, you qualify for a complete waiver of the £92 registration fee. Your claim must be active at the time of application.
What evidence do I need to claim an LPA fee reduction?
For means-tested benefits, you need a copy of your benefit award letter or recent statement. For low income, you need evidence such as payslips, a P60, or a pension statement showing your gross annual income is under £12,000. Send copies, not originals, as the OPG does not return documents.
Does the fee exemption apply to both types of LPA?
Yes. The exemption or reduction applies to each LPA individually. If you qualify, both your Property and Financial Affairs LPA and your Health and Welfare LPA registration fees are waived or reduced, potentially saving you up to £184 in total.
This guide was last reviewed and updated on . Information is based on current legislation and OPG guidance for England and Wales.
Official Guidance
Further reading from GOV.UK
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