How to Apply
Here you can learn how to apply for each of the DAERA Area-based Schemes.
There is also information on employing an Agent to make your application.
Apply for the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS)
To apply for BPS you must submit a ‘Single Application’ and select the option to claim BPS. Single Applications must be submitted online via DAERA Online Services.
To continue claiming BPS, a Single Application must be submitted each year. You must read our Guide to the Basic Payment Scheme (inc. Protein Crops Scheme 2024 for full instructions on how to correctly apply for this scheme.
Apply for the Envionmental Farming Scheme (EFS)
To apply for EFS you must submit an ‘Environmental Farming Scheme Application’ online via DAERA Online Services You must read our Guide to the Environmental Farming Scheme for Agreements commencing 01 Jan 2024 for detailed instructions on how to correctly apply for this scheme.
Once your application for EFS has been successfully completed you will be offered an EFS agreement. Your agreement will be for five years, usually starting on 1 January of the year following your application, and you will be eligible to claim EFS payment in each of those years.
To claim EFS payment each year, you must submit a ‘Single Application’ and select the option to claim EFS. Single Applications must be submitted online via DAERA Online Services.
Apply for the Protein Crops Scheme (PCS)
To apply for PCS you must submit a Single Application and select the option to claim PCS. Single Applications must be submitted online via DAERA Online Services). You must read our Guide to the Basic Payment Scheme (inc. Protein Crops Scheme) 2024 for full instructions on how to correctly apply for this scheme.
Apply for the Young Farmers' Payment (YFP)
To apply for the YFP you must submit a Young Farmers' Payment / Regional Reserve Form 2024. You must ALSO submit a Single Application and select the option to claim YFP. If your YFP/RR Form is accepted, you will be eligible to claim YFP payment for five years. To claim YFP payment each year, you must submit a ‘Single Application’ and select the option to claim YFP. You must read our Guide to Young Farmers' Payment / Regional Reserve 2024 for full instructions on how to correctly apply for this scheme.
To access DAERA Online Services and to apply for any area-based scheme, you will need to:
1. Register your business with us; and
2. Register for either an ‘nidirect’ or ‘Government Gateway’ account.
Please see ‘Registering Your Business’ section for more information.
Employing an Agent / Nominated Person to Submit Applications on your Behalf
If you do not wish to submit an application yourself you can nominate another person to do so on your behalf. You will still need to register your business with us, but you will not need to register for an ‘NIDirect’ or ‘Government Gateway’ account.
BEEF CARBON REDUCTION SCHEME- Authorisation will automatically be given to any Agents who are already acting on behalf of farm businesses for BPS to Opt In, for this year only.
To nominate another person to submit a Single Application (including any claims for payment made on the Single Application AND applications to transfer BPS entitlements), please complete and submit this Form
To nominate another person to submit ONLY applications to transfer BPS entitlements, please complete and submit this Form
To nominate another person to submit an EFS application (EFS Agreement), please complete and submit this Form
To nominate another person to complete and submit an EFS Higher Site-Specific Mangement Plan (EFS Planner), please complete and submit this Form
How-To Videos
Please note that these videos have not been updated for 2024. There has only been slight changes since then.
