Lump Sum Exit Scheme farmers urged to return forms promptly

Farmers who have been approved for the Lump Sum Exit Scheme in England are being urged to return their final documentation promptly, following a significant number of missed submissions.

The Tenant Farming Association (TFA) has reported that the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) said about 500 approved applicants failed to return their evidence and entitlements forms by the deadline on 31 May 2024.

Although the deadline has passed, the RPA is willing to consider individual cases of late submission due to unforeseen circumstances.

However, the agency cannot guarantee that late submissions will result in payment.

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The TFA said this should be considered a “final call” for those who applied under the scheme.

The RPA has contacted customers to remind them of this requirement and has written to individuals where additional evidence or information is needed.

The Lump Sum Exit Scheme was created for Basic Payment Scheme applicants in England who wished to receive a one-off payment to leave farming, either to retire or pursue a different occupation.

The application window for this scheme closed on 30 September 2022.

For more guidance on the Lump Sum Exit Scheme, applicants can visit Gov.UK.

For assistance, customers can contact the RPA helpline at 03000 200 301.