I have posted several times on Talking Point about my frustration with the COP. I thought I would post this as a new entry as it may give some comfort to others who are having problems with the COP, especially those applying for exemption of fees.
After the saga lasting over 5 months, of sending e-mails and letters to the Court of Protection and 5 weeks after I first posted my original thread I have achieved success. They have finally sent a cheque for £400 payable to my step father. This is a refund because my mother never should have paid the fee as she qualified for exemption on the grounds that she was in receipt of Guaranteed Pension Credits.
They have also apologised and said they are "re-evaluating" their internal processes to avoid letters being sent out, like the one I received, asking for security to be paid by deputies after the COP has already been informed that a person has died.
They are also treating my letter as a formal complaint. As far as I am concerned it is an end to it, though if they can come up with ways to improve their processing system then it will be good for everyone.
The COP EX160A exemption of fees form is extremely confusing and if I could I would post a copy of a completed one on Talking Point so that it might help others who may be applying.
I would also like to give the following advice about e-mailing the COP. Never sent a reply to an e-mail they send you. Always respond by forwarding your response with their original e-mail as a new e-mail to them. The reason I say this is that if you reply to the person who sent the e-mail you don't always get a response. If it is forwarded as a new e-mail to the COP it is their policy to reply within 5 working days.
It also goes without saying that you should keep all your correspondence and quote reference numbers each time you write to them.
If you phone the COP be prepared to have to wait at least half an hour in the queue before speaking to anyone.
Finally, be persistent and never give up as this is the only way you get results!
After the saga lasting over 5 months, of sending e-mails and letters to the Court of Protection and 5 weeks after I first posted my original thread I have achieved success. They have finally sent a cheque for £400 payable to my step father. This is a refund because my mother never should have paid the fee as she qualified for exemption on the grounds that she was in receipt of Guaranteed Pension Credits.
They have also apologised and said they are "re-evaluating" their internal processes to avoid letters being sent out, like the one I received, asking for security to be paid by deputies after the COP has already been informed that a person has died.
They are also treating my letter as a formal complaint. As far as I am concerned it is an end to it, though if they can come up with ways to improve their processing system then it will be good for everyone.
The COP EX160A exemption of fees form is extremely confusing and if I could I would post a copy of a completed one on Talking Point so that it might help others who may be applying.
I would also like to give the following advice about e-mailing the COP. Never sent a reply to an e-mail they send you. Always respond by forwarding your response with their original e-mail as a new e-mail to them. The reason I say this is that if you reply to the person who sent the e-mail you don't always get a response. If it is forwarded as a new e-mail to the COP it is their policy to reply within 5 working days.
It also goes without saying that you should keep all your correspondence and quote reference numbers each time you write to them.
If you phone the COP be prepared to have to wait at least half an hour in the queue before speaking to anyone.
Finally, be persistent and never give up as this is the only way you get results!
