New arrangements are in place in England for Single Payment Scheme application form Drop-in Centres.

As more farmers are now applying electronically, the number of Drop-in Centres has reduced. If farmers or agents apply electronically they do not have to travel to a Drop-in Centre as they receive an instant on-screen acknowledgement that RPA has received the application.

Drop-in Centres are now open, weekdays from 8.30am to 5pm, until 10 June 2011. They will be closed on public holidays. Centres will open on the weekend of 14 and 15 May 2011 from 9am to 3pm.

If an agent or farmer intends to bring five or more SPS application forms (SP5) to a Drop-in Centre they must contact their local Drop-in Centre to arrange an appointment. Drop-in Centre staff are available to receive SPS application forms, RLE1 forms and supporting documents only. They cannot provide advice on filling in applications.

Appointments can also be made to use the Drop-in Centre facilities and for support to make the application using SPS Online. Other benefits of going online are that all the farm details are saved on the system for next year. Farmers can also re-visit the service during the year to view their entitlements statements and track their claim through the process.