What are the deadlines for the Sustainable Farming Scheme?
CLA Cymru Senior Policy Adviser Fraser McAuley explains what deadlines you must meet to receive payment under the Sustainable Farming Scheme's universal layer
Welsh Government will shortly be writing to all applicants regarding the universal actions that need to be completed to receive the remainder of the universal payment. It is important that you complete any remaining actions and update your Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) Universal Layer Dashboard. Doing so as early as possible ensures you can receive the balance payment at the beginning of the payment cycle set to begin on 11th December 2026.
The final deadline for completing the universal actions is 31st December 2026 with the dashboard needing to be updated by 15th January 2026 at the very latest.
If you have received a letter informing you the universal payment will not be made on parcels deemed “commercial woodland” please get in touch with Fraser McAuley at fraser.mcauley@cla.org.uk to discuss the best way forward.
Key Dates
11 December 2026 - Balance/full payments begin.
31 December 2026 - Deadline for completing applicable universal actions.
15 January 2027 - Deadline for updating your SFS Universal Layer Dashboard.
1 February 2027 - Payments begin to be processed for customers who have not updated their Dashboard by the deadline, with any applicable sanctions applied.
Support is available if you need help using RPW Online or updating your Dashboard. You can arrange a digital assistance appointment at one of Welsh Government’s Regional Offices by contacting the RPW Customer Contact Centre on 0300 062 5004. You can also contact the Farm Liaison Service (FLS) at farmliaisonservice@gov.wales for help with scheme requirements, record keeping and updating your Dashboard. If you need help registering with Farming Connect, please contact the Service Centre or your local Development Officer on 03456 000 813. Once registered, you will be able to complete the mandatory Health and Safety eLearning module and access subsidised training and advice to help you meet the scheme requirements.
