Published on 09 April
Added Q13 on 15/04/2009

1. What is an SP11 Form?

This is an Entitlement declaration form that should be used to declare the correct number of entitlements that you hold if you have either not received a 2008 Entitlements Statement or if you believe your 2008 Entitlements Statement is incorrect. It should also be used if you wish to activate your entitlements in a different order to that listed in the 2009 SPS Handbook.. It is available from the website and the Customer Service Centre on 0845 603 7777.

Please remember, you must ensure that we receive your 2009 SP5 application, including the SP11 if you are submitting one, by midnight on 15 May 2009. Applications received after that date, but before midnight on 9 June 2009, will be accepted but penalties will be applied. Applications received after 9 June 2009 will be rejected


2. Will I be sent an SP11 automatically?

We will send an SP11 form to farmers who have not been sent a 2008 Entitlements Statement. The SP11 is available from the website and the Customer Service Centre.


3. How do I complete my SP11?

If you have not received a 2008 Entitlements Statement, or you believe your 2008 Entitlements Statement to be incorrect you should complete Part C. If you wish to use an order of entitlement activation different to that listed in the handbook you should complete Part D. In either case you should complete the form with as much information as you have available to ensure your form is processed quickly and correctly. You should also make sure you complete Part A and B of the SP11 form.


4. I have not received my 2008 Entitlements Statement, how do I confirm the entitlements I wish to activate?

You should complete Part B of the SP11 and Part C which requests entitlement information. We will then assess this information against that which we hold for your business and amend our information if appropriate.

We will activate your payment entitlements against the eligible land you declare for SPS on your SP5.

We will automatically activate your entitlements in the following order: Normal entitlements, with the highest value entitlement being activated first, then Special entitlements of which whole entitlements are activated in ascending order of value. If you wish to activate your entitlements in a different order from the list above you will need to specify this in part D of the SP11 form.

Please remember, you must ensure that we receive your 2009 SP5 application, including the SP11 if you are submitting one, by midnight on 15 May 2009. Applications received after that date, but before midnight on 9 June 2009, will be accepted but penalties will be applied. Applications received after 9 June 2009 will be rejected.


5. Will I be penalised for putting too many entitlements on my SP11?

No, we will not normally penalise you for declaring too many entitlements in Part C of your SP11 form. You can only be paid on the number of entitlements you hold on 15 May 2009 providing you have declared sufficient eligible land on your SP5 form. However, if you have over declared your land and entitlements you may be penalised.


6. What are the codes for entitlement type?

Use NML for Normal or SPE for Special. Although 2008 Entitlements Statements show ERS for English Reserve and SAS for set-aside entitlements these are being converted to Normal entitlements for 2009, therefore they should be declared as NML (Normal entitlements).


7. I believe my 2008 Entitlements Statement is wrong what do I do?

You should complete Parts A, B and C in full with the entitlements information you believe to be correct. We will then compare the information you provide with that which we hold and let you know our findings and make any changes required.

8. I do not wish to activate my entitlements in the order shown in the 2009 handbook, what do I do?

You should complete Parts A, B and D of the SP11 in full outlining the order in which you wish to activate your entitlements. We will assess your request and write to you confirming the order of activation of entitlements for 2009.


9. Can my agent sign my SP11 on my behalf?

If your agent is authorised to act on your behalf he will be able to complete an SP11. An SP9 (Agent/Partner Authorisation Form) will need to be completed, if you have not already done so.


10. I have submitted my SP5, is it too late to change the entitlements I wish to activate?

No, you can complete an SP11 Parts A, B and D in full to request a change of entitlement activation. However, you should be aware that an SP11 is viewed as part of your claim and as such if it is received after 15 May it may be subject to late claim penalties.


11. What is the deadline for returning my SP11?

The deadline for receipt of the SP11 is 15 May to avoid late claim penalties. The last day we can accept an SP11 is 9 June, however the form will attract penalties of 1% per working day after 15 May.


12. I transferred in entitlements and they don’t show on my 2008 Entitlements Statement, should I complete an SP11 to be able to claim against them?

You do not need to complete an SP11 for any entitlements that you have transferred in if they are not showing on your 2008 Entitlements Statement as you should receive separate confirmation that the transfer has been completed.

13. I transferred out entitlements for the 2009 scheme year, should I complete an SP11 to remove them from by 2009 claim?
You do not need to complete an SP11 for any entitlements that you have transferred out, as you should receive separate confirmation after the effective date of the transfer that the transfer has been completed.


Contact information:

If you cannot find the answer to your question here, then please ring the Customer Service Centre on 0845 603 7777.

If your enquiry is not urgent please e-mail us at csc@rpa.gsi.gov.uk or write to us at:
Rural Payments Agency
PO Box 1058
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE99 4YQ

Normal CSC Opening hours: Monday to Friday 8.30am – 5.00pm