Using an LPA at the Post Office
How to use your Lasting Power of Attorney to manage Post Office savings, Premium Bonds, and NS&I products on behalf of the donor.
Written by Anthony Dalton · Reviewed by James Tyrrell · Last reviewed
Premium Bonds, Post Office savings accounts, NS&I products — millions of people in the UK hold money through these government-backed services. If you are acting as an attorney under a Property and Financial Affairs LPA, you may need to manage these accounts on the donor's behalf. What catches many attorneys out is that the Post Office itself is not the organisation you deal with. This guide explains exactly how the process works.
At a glance
- Post Office savings and Premium Bonds are managed by NS&I, not the Post Office — you register the LPA directly with NS&I by post
- Never send the original LPA document; always send a certified copy by recorded delivery
- Some Post Office-branded accounts are provided by Bank of Ireland UK and require a separate registration process
- Processing typically takes two to four weeks once NS&I receives your documents
Post Office Savings and NS&I: Who Actually Holds the Money?
The Post Office itself does not hold your savings. Post Office savings accounts and many of the products sold over the counter — including Premium Bonds — are actually managed by National Savings and Investments (NS&I), a government-backed savings provider. The Post Office acts as an agent, providing a convenient place to access these products.
This distinction matters because when you need to register an LPA for these products, you deal with NS&I directly rather than with the Post Office branch. Worth knowing: some Post Office-branded accounts are actually provided by the Bank of Ireland UK, and these require a separate registration process entirely.
If the donor also has high-street bank accounts, you will need to register the LPA separately with each institution. Our guide on how LPAs work with banks covers the process for major UK banks.
Registering Your LPA With NS&I
To manage NS&I products such as Premium Bonds, Income Bonds, or Direct Saver accounts on behalf of the donor, you need to register the LPA with NS&I. The process is straightforward but must be done by post.
You will need to send the following to NS&I:
- A certified copy of the registered LPA (do not send the original — NS&I accepts certified copies)
- A covering letter stating the donor's full name, date of birth, and NS&I holder's number
- Your full name, address, and contact details as the attorney
- A copy of your photo ID (passport or driving licence), certified as a true likeness by a professional such as a solicitor, doctor, or bank manager
Send everything by recorded delivery to NS&I's dedicated Power of Attorney team. Processing usually takes two to four weeks. Once registered, NS&I will return your certified LPA copy and confirm that attorney access has been set up.
Key point: Never send the original LPA document to NS&I. Always send a certified copy, and use recorded delivery so you can track the package.
Managing Premium Bonds With an LPA
Premium Bonds are one of the most common NS&I products, and many donors hold substantial amounts in them. Once your LPA is registered with NS&I, you can manage the donor's Premium Bonds in several ways:
- Cash in (redeem) some or all of the donor's Premium Bonds
- Purchase additional Premium Bonds on the donor's behalf
- Check for unclaimed prizes
- Change the address or bank details linked to the account
- Set up or change prize payment preferences (reinvestment or direct payment)
You can manage Premium Bonds by post, by telephone, or — once NS&I has set up attorney access — through a dedicated online portal. The online service is particularly convenient for checking prize draws and making routine changes.
When cashing in Premium Bonds, the funds will be paid into the bank account registered on the donor's NS&I account, or you can nominate a different account. As with all attorney decisions, you must act in the donor's best interests. For more information on what attorneys can and cannot do with money, see our guide on whether attorneys can access bank accounts.
Using an LPA at the Post Office Counter
While NS&I products are managed centrally, you may still need to visit a Post Office branch for certain transactions. If the donor has a Post Office card account or uses the Post Office for everyday banking (many high-street bank customers can access their accounts through Post Office branches), you may be able to carry out transactions at the counter.
However, Post Office counter staff have limited ability to process LPA-related transactions directly. In most cases, you will need to:
- Register the LPA with the underlying bank or provider first
- Obtain any necessary cards or access credentials from the provider
- Use those credentials at the Post Office counter as you normally would
If you encounter difficulties at a Post Office branch, contact the underlying bank or NS&I directly. Post Office counter staff are not trained to verify or process LPA documents, so it is always better to have registration completed with the product provider beforehand.
Post Office Money Accounts
Some people hold savings in Post Office-branded products that are actually provided by the Bank of Ireland UK. These include certain savings accounts, ISAs, and credit cards branded as "Post Office Money." If the donor has any of these products, you will need to register the LPA with the Bank of Ireland UK, not with the Post Office or NS&I.
The Bank of Ireland UK has its own LPA registration process, which is typically handled by post. Contact their customer service team to request the correct forms and find out what documents they need. The process is similar to registering with any other bank — you will need a certified copy of the LPA and your identification documents.
For a full explanation of what a Property and Financial Affairs LPA covers, see our guide on property and financial affairs LPAs.
Common Issues and How to Resolve Them
Attorneys sometimes face challenges when trying to use their LPA with the Post Office or NS&I. Here are the most common issues and how to deal with them:
NS&I cannot find the donor's account — Older NS&I products may be held under a slightly different name or an old address. Provide as much identifying information as possible, including any holder's numbers printed on old certificates or passbooks. NS&I has a tracing service for lost accounts.
The certified copy is rejected — Make sure the copy is certified correctly. Each page should be stamped or signed as a "true copy of the original" by the donor, an attorney named in the LPA, or a solicitor. Photocopies without proper certification will not be accepted.
Long processing times — If you have been waiting more than four weeks without a response, call NS&I's dedicated line to check on the status. They can usually provide an update and escalate if necessary.
Post Office staff are unfamiliar with LPAs — This is common. Rather than trying to explain the document to counter staff, contact the underlying product provider directly. They will be able to tell you exactly how to access the donor's accounts.
Key point: Always deal with NS&I or the Bank of Ireland UK directly rather than relying on Post Office branch staff. They have specialist teams trained to handle LPA registrations.
Keeping Records and Acting Responsibly
As with all financial decisions made under an LPA, you must keep detailed records of every transaction involving the donor's Post Office and NS&I accounts. Record the date, amount, and reason for each transaction. Keep copies of all correspondence with NS&I and the Post Office.
Remember that as an attorney, you have a legal duty to act in the donor's best interests. This means you should not cash in the donor's Premium Bonds or savings unless the money is genuinely needed for their care, living expenses, or other legitimate purposes. The Office of the Public Guardian can investigate if there are concerns about how an attorney is managing the donor's finances.
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Key Takeaways
- Deal with NS&I directly — Post Office counter staff cannot process LPA registrations; contact NS&I's dedicated Power of Attorney team by post
- Keep multiple certified copies — having several copies lets you register with NS&I and other providers simultaneously rather than waiting for documents to be returned
- Check the provider behind each product — Post Office-branded savings may be held by NS&I or the Bank of Ireland UK, each requiring separate registration
- Record every transaction — the OPG can investigate how an attorney manages the donor's finances, so keep clear records of all Premium Bond redemptions, purchases, and account changes
Your Questions Answered
Can I manage Premium Bonds with an LPA?
Yes, once your LPA is registered with NS&I you can cash in or purchase Premium Bonds, check for unclaimed prizes, and change account details on the donor's behalf. You can manage them by post, telephone, or through NS&I's online portal.
Do I register the LPA with the Post Office or with NS&I?
For products like Premium Bonds and other NS&I savings, you register directly with NS&I by post. Post Office counter staff cannot process LPA registrations, so always deal with the underlying product provider.
Should I send the original LPA document to NS&I?
No, you should never send the original LPA to NS&I. Always send a certified copy by recorded delivery. NS&I accepts certified copies and will return them once registration is complete.
This guide was last reviewed and updated on . Information is based on current legislation and OPG guidance for England and Wales.
Official Guidance
Government guidance on GOV.UK
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