Remember the detail
As previously mentioned there are no other changes to the scheme rules, so if you applied for more than one eligible item, you still need to complete the purchase of the all the items. Furthermore, by the deadline all items must be in place at the location stated in the application and operation and all the paperwork is received, before a claim can be submitted.
If you are in any doubt of what is required, there is very helpful information on invoices (must be paid in full), payment evidence (with monies left bank account) and photos to be found in Section 5 and Annex 5 of the Round 2 Handbook. This scheme evidence needs to be emailed to Q1BTR2NsYWltc0BycGEuZ292LnVr by 31 July 2020 at the latest. Farmers can use the claim template and supporting documents detailed in their Grant Funding Agreement. In the aforementioned link you can find here a list of what would be considered an ineligible claim.
It goes without saying that reading the scheme guidance carefully before claiming is key to successfully receiving the grant funding.
If you have any concerns please speak to suppliers and be mindful of the timeframes to get everything in place by. Equally, if you have any concerns or issues about meeting the new deadline date of 31 July then please email the RPA at Q1BTR0NsYWltc0BycGEuZ292LnVr or call on 03000 200 301.
Payment
The sooner you can get your claim in, the more likely you will get paid promptly, if of course the claim is all in order. If there is a rush of claims made up to the 31 July deadline, then that could cause a delay in receiving the payment thereafter. If your claim is eligible, your grant will be paid in a single instalment after you have paid for, taken delivery (and installed if required) all of the items on your approved application, they are fully operational, and you have submitted a completed claim template (with supporting eligibility evidence) and eligibility checks have been undertaken.
The RPA will aim to pay your complete claim within 30 working days of receipt of your claim evidence. If there are any issues, it may take longer. Please take account for this if it will affect the cash flow of your project or business.
As the grant funding is paid directly into the bank account attached to your business’s main SBI number registered in the Rural Payments service, please check that it is up to date to avoid any delays in payment. Any issues around bank account details please contact the RPA on its helpline number 03000 200 301
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