Single Payment Scheme 2013 – online applications now open

The Rural Payments Agency is urging English farmers to submit their Single Payment Scheme (SPS) applications online.



The free SPS Online service opened on 26 February, offering an automatic check for common errors, no postage fees and an instant online receipt.



Once an online application is confirmed as received, claimants can use SPS online to track their claim to see if RPA is waiting for additional information from. They can also view and print claim and entitlements statements for previous years even where those original applications were made on paper.



SPS Online is available at https://www.gov.uk/single-payment-scheme-online

Those who applied online in 2012 will not receive a paper SPS application form in the post this year. Instead, RPA is sending them the handbook for 2013 which includes the key updates for this scheme year.



Paper application forms are being sent out over the next couple of weeks to those farmers and agents who did not apply online last year. Paper applicants who have not received their application pack by the end of March should contact RPA.