{"id":70054,"date":"2016-04-29T07:34:00","date_gmt":"2016-04-29T07:34:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?guid=706bb5f37f54fb6dc18ad29b53895661"},"modified":"2016-04-29T07:34:00","modified_gmt":"2016-04-29T07:34:00","slug":"news-story-nearly-50-of-bps-2016-applications-filed-or-in-train","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?p=70054","title":{"rendered":"News story: Nearly 50% of BPS 2016 applications filed or in train"},"content":{"rendered":"
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With nearly half of all applications for Basic Payment Scheme (BPS<\/abbr>) 2016 payments either in progress or submitted, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA<\/abbr>) is calling all remaining eligible farmers in England to use the Bank Holiday to complete their applications well ahead of the 16 May deadline.<\/p>\n

Latest figures show over 26,000 completed online applications for BPS<\/abbr> 2016 have been submitted and more than 17,400 applications are in progress. The agency has also received a further 4,000 completed paper forms. <\/p>\n

To date nearly 78,000 of BPS<\/abbr> 2015 claims have been completed. In addition, a further 2,600 bridging payments have already been made. This means almost 80,600 farmers have received a payment. <\/p>\n

Chief Executive of the RPA<\/abbr> Mark Grimshaw said: <\/p>\n

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With just over two weeks to go until the 2016 deadline, we are urging farmers who have not yet started or submitted their application for this year\u2019s BPS<\/abbr> not to leave it to the last minute.<\/p>\n

The Rural Payments service is working and help is at hand for any farmer applying who wants it. Everyone who made a BPS<\/abbr> 2015 claim has been sent \u2018How to Claim\u2019 guidance, there\u2019s hints and tips on GOV.UK and our network of online support centres are open to give help.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, we are making good progress with 2015 bridging payments and are on track to pay all the remainder by the end of the week.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Agents can now also speak directly to a dedicated team via the 03000 200 301 helpline and there\u2019s a 24\/7 automated service for those who want to apply online for the first time. To set up an online application form applicants just need to call 03000 200 301 then key in their SBI number and contact details. Call times to the Rural Services helpline continue to fall. <\/p>\n

Defra has given the RPA<\/abbr> the resources it needs to get these payments into bank accounts as soon as possible. The RPA<\/abbr> can also reassure farmers that the agency will investigate any BPS<\/abbr> 2015 payment differences over the summer, through our routine reconciliation process. Where there is flexibility within the scheme rules, the agency will use it.<\/p>\n

\nBPS<\/abbr> 2016 support<\/h2>\n

The RPA<\/abbr> has a range of new support features available to help remaining applicants submit their 2016 claims on time. These include a new \u2018Hints and Tips\u2019<\/a> video and guidance<\/a>, a 24\/7 automated service for applicants who have a paper application but want to apply online for first time, and the option for agents to speak directly to a dedicated team.<\/p>\n

Updated \u2018Hints and Tips\u2019 document<\/h2>\n

RPA<\/abbr> is taking the questions farmers and agents are asking as they apply for their 2016 BPS<\/abbr>, and turning them into a regularly updated helpful Hints and Tips document available at GOV.UK\/rpa\/bps2016<\/a>. <\/p>\n

It has been updated to include practical answers to some of the most frequently asked questions, including: <\/p>\n