Insolvency Service seeks to refund £450,000 in Debt Relief Order fees

The Insolvency Service has issued an appeal for individuals to claim refunds totaling approximately £450,000 related to Debt Relief Order (DRO) application fees. The refunds are available to people in England and Wales who paid the previous £90 application fee between 2016 and April 2024 but did not complete their application.

The application fee was scrapped on April 6, 2024, and there is currently no charge to apply for a DRO. While many eligible individuals may be owed a full £90, the amount can vary depending on whether they paid in full, in installments, or overpaid across multiple incomplete applications.

The Insolvency Service has attempted to contact affected individuals, but notes that many may have moved or changed contact details over the last decade. To date, approximately 1,200 customers have received refunds out of 5,100 contacted. Those who believe they are owed money are encouraged to contact the Insolvency Service directly to claim their funds.