Using the Rural Payments service for the first time

Call the Rural Payments helpline to register for an account.

You’ll be given a customer reference number (CRN) and a 6-digit security code to set up a password. This will allow you to sign in to the Rural Payments service.

Register yourself

Sign in to the Rural Payments service to:

• set up a password
• create an online account

Register your business

You’ll also need to register your business. You can do this either:

• on the phone at the same time as you get your CRN and 6-digit security code
• after signing in to the Rural Payments service

You’ll need the following information:

• name of the business
• address of the business
• email address of the business
• type of business (for example, sole trader or partnership)

Once you’ve registered your business, RPA will send you a reference number for your business by post. For example, your Single Business Identifier (SBI) or trader registration number (TRN).

Call the Rural Payments helpline if you need any help.

Register your bank account details

You’ll need to register the bank details of the account you use to claim payments. You can sign in to the Rural Payments service to register, view or update your bank details.

Do not send your bank account details by email or post.

You’ll need to wait 24 hours after you register your business before you can register your bank account details.

What personal details you can update

Use the Rural Payments service to change personal details including:change:

• your name
• your date of birth
• the address where you live
• your email address
• your telephone number
• how we contact you

Only you can update your personal details, not someone else acting on your behalf.

How to update your personal details

1. Sign in to the Rural Payments service, then select ‘View personal details’.

2. Click on ‘Amend personal details’.

3. Check the information RPA holds about you and update any details. You will get an error message if you try to enter an email address that is already registered to another user on the Rural Payments service. Enter a unique email address to continue.

4. Click ‘Submit changes’.

What business details you can update

Use the Rural Payments service to change businessyour details including:business:

• business name
• business address, where RPA will send correspondence
• business telephone number
• business email
• VAT registration number
• bank details

Business details can be updated by you, or someone acting on your behalf, likesuch an agent, as longan asagent if they have the correct permission level. Read Rural Payments service: give or update permissions. for more information.

How to update business details

1. Sign in to the Rural Payments service.

2. From the ‘Your businesses and messages’ page, select ‘View business’, for the business you want to update.

3. Select ‘View and amend your business details’.

4. Select ‘Amend business details and reference numbers’.

5. Check the information RPA holds about your business and update any details.

6. Click ‘Submit changes’.

HowOther to tell RPA about other changes in circumstances

YouIf cannot use the Rural Payments service to tell RPA:

• if there’s a change in your business, for example, a split, merger, or a change of partnerpartner, – read the guidance ‘Rural payments: if the structure of your business is changing’
• that’.

  If a person who is registered with the Rural Payments service has dieddied, – read the guidance ‘Rural payments: if a registered customer dies’

’.

OrFor any other changes in circumstances, call the RPA helpline for advice.