Are you due a refund after scrapping of debt relief order fees?

People who paid a fee after starting a debt relief order (DRO) application are being urged to claim a refund.

Before April 2024, people struggling with debt had to pay a £90 fee when making a DRO application.

But this fee was scrapped to make debt support more accessible.

However, many people who paid towards the fee before it was scrapped didn’t submit their application.

The Insolvency Service is now encouraging anyone who may be due a refund to get in touch.

Thousands of pounds unclaimed

Letters were sent to eligible customers in March, May and November last year.

But much of the money still remains unclaimed, partly because some customers’ contact details may have changed.

“We’ve tried to contact customers due a refund, but very few have come back to us,” said Caroline Shanahan of the Insolvency Service.

“We know some people may have moved or changed their contact details since their application - which makes it tricky for us to contact them. 

“But they can still apply for a refund if they paid towards a DRO application that was not submitted.”

The Insolvency Service hopes to get as many refunds processed as possible before the end of March 2026.

So if you think you’re entitled to a refund, get in touch before then.

What to do if you’re owed a refund 

If you think you’re due a refund, email [email protected], or write to:

The Insolvency Service DRO Team
C/O Met Office
Fitzroy Road
Exeter
EX1 3PB

You can ask for the money to be paid straight into your bank account or building society or via cheque.

Just include the following details:  

• your name
• your address
• DRO application number (if known)
• your telephone number
• bank/building society name
• account name (as shown on bank statement)
• bank account number (full 8 numbers)
• bank sort code (full 6 numbers)
• building society roll number (if applicable) 

If your contact details have changed since you made the application, include your previous name and address along with your current details.

And if a charity or third party made a payment on your behalf, provide the details of this organisation.