THE Rural Payments Agency (RPA) has paid out more than £8 million in hardship payments to 505 farmers still waiting for their 2015 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) payments.

Others waiting, and who need urgent help with their cash flow, should contact its hardship fund on 03000 200 301.

The RPA yesterday (Thurs) said it had now completed 76,500 (88 per cent) of claims for BPS 2015.

It said the remaining outstanding claims include:

o 5,400 farmers that were inspected but which required more, and different, inspections because of new greening requirements, including Ecological Focus Areas. These are now being processed.

o 3,500 claims from landowners with rights to common land. These have taken longer due to the new approach which distributes money only between those who use the common, rather than allocating a proportion based on everyone with a registered right.

This means many commoners can expect a bigger payment, but it is more complicated to get them right as all claims on the common have to be checked first. This issue will be much reduced in 2016.

o 1,000 claims in the final stages of completion.

Mark Grimshaw, RPA chief executive, said the Agency was working round the clock to get the remaining payments to farmers.

"We are now processing some of the most complex cases such as those on common land, which we have always said would take longer to get right," he said.

"For those customers experiencing real difficulty, we have established a hardship fund which can be accessed to provide some immediate relief.

"I want to re-assure the industry we are handling many issues that are specifically related to year one of the new scheme – 2016 will be different."

He said anyone who has received a 2015 BPS claim statement and notices a difference from what they were expecting should contact ruralpayments@defra.gsi.gov.uk or write to the RPA at the address on the claim statement. Letters and emails should be headed 'BPS 2015 payment'.

The differences will be investigated over the summer, not now, and he urged farmers and agents to now focus on applying for 2016 BPS by the May 16th deadline.

New support features available to 2016 BPS applicants, include an option for agents to speak to a dedicated team.

There is also a round the clock automated service for paper applicants who want to apply online for the first time. Applicants should call 03000 200 301 and key in their SBI number and contact details.

Farmers and agents wanting to add land parcels to their application can email ruralpayments@defra.gsi.gov.uk to have these included. Alternatively, they can fill in a continuation booklet and post it to the RPA. These are available on GOV.UK.