Start your 2016 Basic Payment Scheme application now
Apply online for BPS 2016
Farmers and agents can now log in to the Rural Payments Service to begin the application process for the 2016 Basic Payment Scheme, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) announced today (7 March 2016).
Claimants can check and change their personal and business details, including keeping email addresses accurate and up-to-date.
New for 2016
Farmers and agents can also now view and transfer land and entitlements in the Rural Payments Service at www.ruralpayments.service.gov.uk.
RPA Chief Executive Mark Grimshaw said:
We have developed the Rural Payments Service for 2016 so it’s now possible, for the first time, to see and transfer land and entitlements online.
Going online and checking details early means information should be updated in time to show on 2016 BPS online applications which will be available in mid-March.
I’d also like to remind farmers there will be help and support for anyone who needs it throughout the BPS 2016 application window.
Apply from mid-March
From around mid-March onwards, farmers and agents can complete their declarations and confirm all information before submitting their completed application online.
Anyone who applied for the Single Payment Scheme (SPS) online in 2014 will be sent all they need to apply online for BPS in 2016. Those who did not apply online in 2014, will receive a paper form but they can contact the Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301 to set up their online application if they wish.
Support available from the RPA
All the latest information on how to apply for BPS 2016 online can be found at GOV.UK/rpa/bps2016.This includes the 2016 scheme rules. Farmers and agents have said they would find ‘how to apply online’ guidance helpful so RPA will be making this available for all.
Further support is available from RPA this year through useful ‘How to’ videos. Farmers and agents can find step-by-step guides on transferring land, transferring entitlements and a general overview of how to apply online:
The application deadline for BPS 2016 claims is midnight on 16 May 2016.
BPS 2015
As at 29 February, over 71,700 farmers (over 82% of all eligible claims) had received their BPS 2015 payments, bringing the total paid out for the 2015 scheme to £1.13 billion.
The RPA has been keeping farmers up to date on when certain types of claims would be paid and this latest batch of payments includes some to those claiming on common land and some to those subject to inspections.
Almost all eligible farmers will receive their payments by the end of March with a few thousand of the more complex cases taking slightly longer, as they did under SPS.