You can opt-in here
You must have a Government Gateway (GG) or NIdirect account (NIDA) logon.
You must confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to the BCR terms and conditions when you opt-in.
If you do not wish to complete the online BCR opt-in yourself, you can nominate another person (for example an Agent) to do so on your behalf. You will still need to register your business with us, but you will not need to register for a NIDA or GG logon. If you have already nominated another person to submit a Single Application on your behalf they will automatically be able to apply for / opt-in to BCR for you. If you have NOT already nominated another person to act on your behalf, please contact us on 0300 200 7848.
Remember, you only need to opt-in once for BCR from 2024. You do not need to opt-in every year. You do not need to submit a claim for BCR payment each year. If you have opted-in you will receive a BCR payment each year thereafter as long as you have met the eligibility conditions in that year.
You opt-in to BCR in 2024. You meet the eligibility conditions each year. You will receive payment for 2024, 2025, 2026 and 2027 onwards.
Example:
You opt-in to BCR in 2024. You meet the eligibility conditions in 2024 and 2026, but you do not meet the eligibility conditions in 2025 or 2027. You will receive payment for 2024 and 2026. You will not receive payment for 2025 or 2027.
You can opt-in for BCR at any time. However, you must have opted-in between 1 January and 31 December to receive a payment for that scheme year onwards.
Example:
You opt-in to BCR on 1st June 2025. You meet the eligibility conditions each year. You will receive payment for 2025, 2026 and 2027. You will not receive payment for 2024.
You can opt-out of BCR at any time. If you opt-out you will not receive a financial penalty, however you will also not receive a BCR payment for the scheme year you opt-out.
If you have opted-out, you can opt back in again at any time. If you opt-in again you will not receive a financial penalty, however you will only receive a BCR payment from the year in which you have opted back in.
Example:
You opt-in to BCR on 1 January 2024. You then opt-out on 1 June 2024. On 1 January 2025 you opt back in to BCR. If you meet the eligibility conditions in each year, you will receive payment for 2025, 2026 and 2027. You will not receive payment for 2024.
(Alternative application methods are available for customers. Please contact us on 0300 200 7848 for further information.)