{"id":63283,"date":"2015-10-26T14:55:00","date_gmt":"2015-10-26T14:55:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?guid=279a2e1b5da8e1c130f6353b367421ec"},"modified":"2015-10-28T13:38:23","modified_gmt":"2015-10-28T13:38:23","slug":"news-story-rural-payments-agency-provides-applicants-with-bps-update","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?p=63283","title":{"rendered":"News story: Rural Payments Agency provides applicants with BPS update"},"content":{"rendered":"

Updated:<\/em> Added leaflet to news item<\/p>\n

\n

The Rural Payments Agency (RPA<\/abbr>) has begun to send out a Basic Payment Scheme (BPS<\/abbr>) update
\n leaflet<\/a>
\n (PDF<\/abbr><\/span>, 1.3MB<\/span>, 3 pages<\/span>)
\n<\/span> to all 88,000 farmers and agents who submitted a BPS<\/abbr> 2015 application. The leaflet called \u2018Basic Payment Scheme 2015: What happens next?\u2019 is being sent to farmers so they know what to expect in the coming months. <\/p>\n

The main focus of the leaflet is on when and how farmers should expect to hear from the RPA<\/abbr> about their claims. The leaflet also reminds farmers to let the RPA<\/abbr> know if they have changed their bank details recently and advises them that email will be used as the primary means of contacting them in the future. The leaflet will further confirm the exchange rate for payments and advise farmers how to avoid being a victim of fraud.<\/p>\n

The leaflet explains that the RPA<\/abbr> will announce the payment rates for BPS<\/abbr>, including entitlement values, greening payments rate and young farmer payment, on GOV.UK. Farmers and landowners are also told that the RPA<\/abbr> will be contacting them to let them know if their application for entitlements has been successful ahead of the BPS<\/abbr> payment window, which opens in December 2015 and runs until June 2016.<\/p>\n

RPA<\/abbr> Customer Director Justin Chamberlain said:<\/p>\n

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We understand how hard-pressed farmers are and how important prompt payments are to them. We\u2019ve input the vast majority of all claim data into the Rural Payments system and we\u2019re now working on land and entitlement transfers.<\/p>\n

We are on track to start making payments from December with the majority before the end of December and the vast majority by the end of January 2016.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Financial information<\/h2>\n

The leaflet explains that, when a payment has been made, the RPA<\/abbr> will send out a Remittance Advice which will show the amount paid. This will be followed by a Claim Statement providing details of how the payment was worked out and any reductions or penalties applied.<\/p>\n

Applicants are also reminded that if their bank details have changed they need to call the Rural Services helpline on 03000 200 301 to provide new details. If they have recently changed their email address they can log in to the Rural Payments system to update it.<\/p>\n

Avoiding fraud<\/h2>\n

The leaflet alerts farmers to potential fraud as the 2015 BPS<\/abbr> payment window approaches. Remember:<\/p>\n