It’s time to make your BPS 2015 application
Farmers are advised to start their 2015 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) application as soon as they receive their pre-populated form.
Farmers are advised to start their 2015 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) application as soon as they receive their pre-populated form.
The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) began sending the forms yesterday (12 April) and they will be sent initially to everyone who has registered on the Rural Payments system. The email will be sent from donotreply@ruralpayments.service.gov.uk. Farmers and agents can read electronic guidance on how to apply, with paper guidance following in the post.
Farmers should check the information on their forms carefully and make sure it is correct for their 2015 application.
RPA is offering a range of support to help farmers and agents return their forms swiftly. Farmers are now able to drop in to support centres across the country to hand in their application form, RLE1 form and any supporting documents. They can also get a basic check of their forms to ensure they have included their SBI number, land data, filled in the active farmer section and signed the declaration. Farmers can find their nearest of the 50 support centres, and their opening times, on GOV.UK.
Additionally, they can ask general questions about BPS and get a submission receipt for their application form and RLE1 form. Farmers who still require help to register on the Rural Payments system or more detailed support with their application – together with agents who need to make five or more claims – need to make an appointment at a support centre by calling 03000 200 301.
The Agency is also using ten mobile support units to provide broadband coverage. They will be available seven days a week for use at community events and for home visits to customers in remote areas.
Customer Director Justin Chamberlain said:
“Pre-populated Basic Payment Scheme claim forms and guidance have started landing in farmers’ and agents’ inboxes this week, giving them everything they need to now start their claim.
“BPS is a new scheme and it is vital farmers read the guidance on how to apply.
“A range of support is available to help farmers with their applications. No farmer should be more than 30 miles from a support centre and we also have mobile support units to bring the service to areas where it is needed most.
“Although the deadline is now 15 June 2015, we continue to advise farmers to get their claim started as early as they can so that they can access any support they may need.”
Map packs have now been sent to around 25,000 farmers and continue to be sent out each day. Anyone who has not yet received a pack, and has not had an up-to-date map of their land in the past six months, will receive their pack soon. If it has not been received by early May farmers should call the Rural Payments helpline on 03000 200 301.
Farmers who receive their pre-populated form in an email with an ‘apply now’ link, and who do not need to make changes to their application form, should click on the link and follow the instructions on the screen. Those who do need to make changes should write them in by hand and return the form and supporting documents by post or drop it in to a support centre. Farmers who receive an email without an ‘apply now’ link should make any changes by hand and return the form and any supporting documents by post or drop it in to a support centre.
Farmers who need help and a printed form should call the helpline on 03000 200 301.
If a farmer has fully empowered an agent to act on their behalf, all communications will go direct to the agent.
Entitlements transfer deadline
It has now been confirmed that the deadline for RPA to receive forms for entitlement transfers has been extended to midnight on 15 June 2015.
New and young farmers
New and young farmers can start the process to qualify for BPS entitlements under the ‘national reserve’. To apply for entitlements or the new young farmer payment, farmers must send a completed ‘Accountant or Solicitor Certificate to confirm new or young farmer status’ to the Rural Payments Agency by the 2015 claim deadline. An accountant or solicitor will need to fill it in. The forms are available on GOV.UK.
Environmental Stewardship and English Woodlands Grants
Farmers and land managers who need to make a claim under existing agri-environment or woodland grant schemes must submit it by 15 June. More guidance is coming soon from Natural England and the Forestry Commission to help customers with their claim. They are urged to submit their claims as early as possible and to contact Natural England or the Forestry Commission if they need any assistance.
Top tips for this week
- This is a new scheme with new rules so check your form carefully. Read the ‘How to apply guidance before you apply’.
- Even though the claim deadline is now confirmed as 15 June, make an early start on completing your claim. The RPA is here to help if you need it.
- The new Basic Payment Scheme web-page on GOV.UK tells you all you need to know about BPS 2015
- Don’t forget to sign your claim form.
- Return RLE1s, maps and completed BP5 claims forms in a single envelope to the RPA or drop it in at a support centre.
