The Rural Payments Agency has announced its customer service centre will be available at weekends and on some public holidays from now until 13th May to facilitate the application process for the 2012 Single Payment Scheme.

The RPA centre (number 08456 037 777) will be opening between 9am and 3pm each Saturday until the 12th May, with additional service during the May Bank Holiday (Monday 7th May) and on Sunday 13th May.

The Agency also said that it may keep phone lines open between 19th May and 9th June, depending on call volume. The RPA said it will make an announcement on further openings of call centres in due course.

This week, the agency announced it is having temporary technical issues with its online service. Applicants using SPS Online are receiving an error message when they try to submit an application. The RPA has recommended applicants do not try to submit their applications online until further notice.  

An RPA spokesperson said, “We are doing our best to fix this issue and will provide another update as soon as we have further information.”

The Agency said that if, following the submission of an application, applicants have received an e-mail receipt from the RPA, their application has been received regardless of whether they have received an error message on submission.

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