DAERA encourages farmers to complete their online Single Application without delay

To date, approximately 1,300 farmers have made the switch to an online application in 2017.

Completing your Single Application is one of the most important tasks that you do each year and DAERA’s message to farmers is - complete your application early and check all information is correct.

The online application system is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and will contain all your farm business information, which is easy for you to check.

There are a number of steps to completing your online Single Application:

Check: Get ready and don’t delay – it’s important to give yourself time to check all your information and get your application right

Change: Tell us what is different for 2017 by making your changes online and avoid any issues or delays with your payment

Complete: Do it online – it’s easy and we will help you

Confirm: You can check your claim summary to make sure it is right and make any further changes you need to within the deadlines.

Get Started:

To complete your application log in to DAERA Online Services at www.daera-ni.gov.uk/onlineservices using your Government Gateway ID and password. There is also guidance on this webpage on how to register for a Government Gateway ID.

Simply click on the buttons and answer the questions about the scheme(s) you wish to apply for. Online help is available and you can use also use web-chat to interact with our advisors online as you complete your application.

You can view your map online and make any changes you need to your land details – once you submit your application your map changes are automatically submitted also. There is no need to complete a paper LPIS Change Form. If you don’t have any land changes then your application will be very straightforward to complete.

If land changes result in an updated Maximum Eligible Area the system will show this as unverified on your field data table – all you need to do is update the areas you are claiming for Basic Payment and/or Areas of Natural Constraint to make sure they don’t exceed the amended MEA.

Once DAERA has checked your map changes and accepted these you will be issued with an Area Record Form with a verified MEA. You must submit your application by 15 May but you can log back in and increase or decrease the area claimed online anytime up to 31 May without penalty.

The application will automatically calculate if you have a greening requirement based on your land information and will advise you if you do. Farmers who have to declare an Ecological Focus Area will have any declarations from last year already updated – just check and amend if necessary.

Further Help:

Visit our website at:www.daera-ni.gov.uk/topics/grants-and-funding/area-based-schemes-2017 for further information and help including Scheme booklets, Q&A and helpful videos which show you how to complete the online application.

Call our SAF Advisory Service on 0300 200 7848 for further help and information and if required you may be able to book an appointment at your local DAERA Direct Office if you require assistance to complete your application online.

You can also attend one of our popular and free SAF Awareness Workshops but these must be pre-booked by calling 028 71 319955. Many attendees complete their application on the night. Call now to avoid disappointment as places are limited.

Act Now:

The closing date for applications is 15 May 2017 but you are strongly advised to take steps now to complete your application and if necessary avail of the help options being made available. Join those who have already done so and avoid a last minute rush.