Guidance

091/22 Timescales for Final Claims to the 2014 to 2020 ESF Programme

Updated 29 February 2024

Date Issued 13/10/2022
Review Date 29/02/2024

Who should read

All ESF Beneficiary Organisations, The Greater London Authority and the ESF Managing Authority

Purpose

This action note is to notify Co Financing Organisations (CFOs) and Direct Bid (DB) projects of the timeline for the final claim to be submitted in the 2014-2020 ESF Programme. This applies to projects with a financial completion date within quarter 4 2023.

Background

At the end of the 2014-2020 ESF Programme, the Managing Authority (MA) is required to submit the final claim to the European Commission promptly in order to be able to claim the funding from the Commission.

Action

CFOs must submit their final claim no later than 60 calendar days after the end of the Claim Instalment Period in which the Financial Completion Date falls. The 60 calendar day deadline is currently set to be 29th February 2024.

DBs must submit their final claim no later than 25 working days after the end of the Claim Instalment Period in which the Financial Completion Date falls. The 25 working day deadline is currently set to be 5th February 2024.

The final claim can be submitted as soon as possible following your project financial completion date, as detailed in your Funding Agreement.  On submission, the final claim must be full and complete in line with Funding Agreement conditions .

No late claims will be accepted by the MA, no late claim action will be undertaken and there will be no exceptions.

CFOs and DBs also need to consider and will be asked by the MA, to demonstrate how they will resource not only the claim submission but also subsequent related activities during 2024 and beyond. This will include ensuring appropriate staff are available and have the correct access on EClaims to undertake the activity required .

Contact

If you have any queries about this Action Note please email esf.2014-2020@dwp.gov.uk.