Advice for farmers preparing to complete their 2022 Single Applications

Despite the ongoing difficulties we all face with the pandemic, the Single Application was a great success in 2021 with 99.5% of eligible applicants for Direct Payments receiving a total of £308 million before the end of the year.

We understand the importance of these payments to farm families and we work hard to issue them as soon as possible. Rest assured that we will do so again in 2022.

The period for submitting Single Applications in 2022 opened on 1 March and will close on 16 May.

Late claims will be accepted up to 9 June, but financial penalties will usually apply if an application is received after 16 May.

The Entitlement Transfer period runs from 1 March to 3 May.

Entitlement Registers are already available online at: www.daera-ni.gov.uk/services/daera-online-services. You can view the entitlements you hold, their value, previous transfers and other relevant information such as confiscations.

We wrote to farm businesses in February to advise them of these deadlines.

Remember, if you have a valid agreement for the Environmental Farming Scheme or one of our Forestry schemes you need to claim for payment on your Single Application. Our Protein Crops Scheme will be running for another year in 2022 and, if you are eligible, you should also apply for this scheme on your Single Application.

In 2022, new security improvements are being introduced to government online systems. If you are logging on to DAERA Online Services through your Government Gateway or NI Direct Account you may need to complete a ‘2-factor authentication’ process, which will involve entering a security code sent to your mobile or email address.

This process will be familiar to anyone using online banking or other such services and is now standard for online accounts. It only takes a few minutes to complete.

We are also working to enhance our communications with customers. SMS texts to mobiles are often the most helpful and immediate way for us to communicate important information and key reminders, but we can only do this if we hold your mobile number.

Please make sure to update your contact details so you do not miss any of our messages in 2022. You can do this by logging on to your DAERA Online Services account, and I would recommend that you do it straight away.

Our website contains a wealth of information, including useful ‘How To’ videos which show you, step-by-step, how to complete your Single Application and map.

You can also contact us directly by telephone on 0300 200 7848 or by email at: areabasedschemes@daera.co.uk to discuss your application. We are here to help and it is always easier to solve an issue before you submit your application than afterwards.

Finally, I would encourage you to submit your Single Application as early as possible and contact your agent, if you use one.

Notes to editors: 

1. Follow DAERA on Twitter and on Facebook.
2. All media queries should be directed to the DAERA Press Office.

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