Form EX160 – Help with Fees

What is Help with Fees?

Help with Fees is a government scheme that can reduce or waive court fees if you’re on a low income or receiving certain benefits.

You may get:

• Full fee remission (pay nothing)
• Partial remission (pay a reduced amount)

This applies to most family court fees including:

• Divorce application (£612)
• Financial remedy (£313)
• Child arrangements (£263)
• Consent orders (£60)
• Appeals

Download Form EX160

Apply online

You can apply for Help with Fees online:

Apply at: www.gov.uk/get-help-with-court-fees

Online applications are processed alongside your court application.

Who can get help?

Automatic help (benefits)

You may get full remission if you receive any of these benefits:

• Universal Credit (with no earnings or low earnings)
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Income Support
• Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit)

And your savings are below £4,250 (or £16,000 if you’re over State Pension age).

Income-based help

Even without benefits, you may qualify based on your income:

Add £245 for each additional child.

If your income is higher, you may still get partial remission (pay a reduced fee).

Savings limits

Even if your income qualifies, your savings affect eligibility:

Higher savings limits apply if you’re over State Pension age.

When to apply

Apply for Help with Fees at the same time as your court application.

Don’t pay the fee first and then apply – apply before paying.

Completing Form EX160

Question 1: Personal details

Your:

• Name
• National Insurance number (or Home Office reference if applicable)
• Date of birth
• Address

Question 2: Court information

• Which court (if known)
• Case number (if you have one)
• Which form you’re submitting (e.g., D8, C100)

Question 3: Relationship status

• Single
• Married or living with partner

If you have a partner, you’ll need their financial information too (unless they have a conflicting interest in your case).

Question 4: Children

How many dependent children you have in different age groups:

• Under 14
• 14-15
• 16-19 (in full-time education)

Question 5: Benefits

Do you receive any of the qualifying benefits?

• Universal Credit
• Income-based JSA
• Income-related ESA
• Income Support
• Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit)

If yes, you may not need to complete the income sections.

Question 6: Savings

Total savings and investments:

• Bank accounts
• ISAs
• Premium Bonds
• Shares
• Other investments

Don’t include:

• Your home
• Your pension
• Personal possessions

Question 7-11: Income

If not on qualifying benefits, provide:

• Employment income (before tax)
• Self-employment income
• Other income (benefits, maintenance, rental income)

You can use your income from either:

• Last calendar month, or
• Average of last 3 months (whichever is lower)

Declaration

Sign confirming the information is correct.

What happens next

1. Submit with your court application – send EX160 with your main form (e.g., D8)
2. Court processes – they check your eligibility
3. Decision – you’ll receive a letter telling you:
   • Full remission (pay nothing)
   • Partial remission (pay reduced amount specified)
   • No remission (pay full fee)
4. Pay any required amount – if partial or no remission

If you need to provide evidence, the court will contact you.

Evidence you might need

The court may ask for:

• Bank statements (all accounts)
• Payslips
• Benefit letters
• Tax returns (if self-employed)

Only provide evidence if requested.

If your circumstances change

If your circumstances change between applying and your case being processed, you should tell the court.

Refunds

If you’ve already paid a fee and later realise you were eligible for help, you can apply for a refund within 3 months of payment.

Common mistakes

• Forgetting to include partner’s income
• Not declaring all savings accounts
• Applying after paying the fee
• Not providing National Insurance number

Fee remission calculator

You can check if you might qualify using the government’s calculator:

Calculator: EX160C Fee remission calculator

This gives an estimate – the court makes the final decision.

Help with the form

If you need help completing the form:

We Are Group: 03300 160 051

• Free help for people who can’t apply online
• Text FORM to 60777 for a callback

Citizens Advice: Can help you understand the form

Important notes

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