Rural Payments and Services

The 2026 Single Application Form window runs from 13 March 2026 to 15 May 2026, and applicants can now submit their SAF.

Customers are advised to submit applications as early as possible.

Customers who are new to submitting online must create a personal account and register their business on Rural Payments and Services.

Background

You must submit a SAF if you wish to claim for the following schemes:

• Basic Payment Scheme (including Greening and Young Farmer payments)
• Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme (Mainland and Islands)
• Scottish Upland Sheep Support Scheme
• Less Favoured Area Support Scheme
• Agri-Environment Climate Scheme – annual recurrent options
• Forestry Grant Scheme – annual maintenance and management grants
• Rural Development Contracts – Rural Priorities annual recurrent options

Customers must check and ensure all personal and business details including land information are accurate, and update where required.

If you experience IT issues with ruralpayments.org within normal working hours please contact your local Area Office.

Out of office hours, IT support will be available to help you resolve any IT-related issues, such as account access and password reset. If you do request support please include the BRN, contact name and number and brief reason for their query. Our service desk staff will be monitoring the mailbox closely and will respond as soon as possible.

Customers and agents who require support during the out‑of‑office hours listed below can contact the AREDigitalanddataservicedesk@gov.scot

• Saturday, 14 March (09:00 – 17:00)
• Sunday, 15 March (09:00 – 17:00)
• Monday, 4 May (09:00 – 17:00)
• Saturday, 9 May (09:00 – 17:00)
• Sunday, 10 May (09:00 – 17:00)
• Wednesday, 13 May (17:00 – 22:00)
• Thursday, 14 May (17:00 – 22:00)
• Friday, 15 May (17:00 – 23:59)

Further information is available via the following links

Business registration & maintenance

Land mapping system