Half of FETF 2026 claims returned over bank statement errors
Garford electric weeder © Garford Farm Machinery Around half of all payment claims submitted by successful applicants under the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) 2026 are being returned because sensitive banking information has not been correctly redacted, according to the Rural Payments Agency (RPA).
The RPA says about 50% of claims submitted to ruralpayments@defra.gov.uk contain personal banking details that should have been removed.
In these cases, the agency deletes the submission and applicants must resubmit their claim with correctly redacted documents.
See also: Defra gives more time for farmers hit by SFI26 technical glitches
FETF 2026 is a £50m competitive grant scheme covering productivity, animal health and welfare, and slurry management.
Grants range from £1,000-£25,000 per theme, up to a combined maximum of £75,000, helping farmers, growers, foresters and contractors in England invest in approved equipment and technology.
The Tenant Farmers Association (TFA) has reminded members to take extra care when preparing claim evidence to avoid delays.
Applicants must redact sensitive details from bank statements or chequebook stubs using a solid black box or by blurring the information so it is unreadable.
However, claimants must leave their name and the final four digits of their bank account number visible so that the RPA can verify the account.
Payment claims must be submitted by 11.59pm on 20 January 2027. The RPA has made clear it will not accept claims received after the deadline.
An RPA spokesman said: “We understand current redaction requirements may be frustrating for some applicants, but they are intended to protect customers’ sensitive personal information.”
Guidance available
He added that the agency provides guidance on how to redact documents correctly and support for applicants who need to resubmit claims.
The RPA also said it is exploring ways to streamline the process, although no further details have been announced.
With the claim deadline still several months away, the TFA is urging successful applicants to check supporting documents carefully before submission to avoid unnecessary delays to grant payments.
