How Can NRCS Clients Use the Conservation Client Gateway http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/clientgateway Jan-2016

What is the Conservation Client Gateway? Client Gateway Benefits Conservation Client Gateway is a new NRCS public website that provides individual landowners and land users the option to request conservation technical and financial assistance from NRCS. Through Client Gateway, individual clients can also access conservation program financial assistance applications and contracts, and conservation plans and track payments due them. Client Gateway Benefits Client Gateway is a benefit to both clients and the NRCS Field Office staff. Requests can be made by the client and automatically sent to the NRCS Field Office where the land in the request is located Email notification are sent to the client and field office staff when requests have been submitted Documents can be electronically signed on-line by the client Financial assistance can be applied for on-line All this can save gas and time on the part of the client and the field office staff.

Accessing the Conservation Client Gateway Conservation Client Gateway No special software is needed. Conservation Client Gateway works with most standard Web browsers. Note - The first version of the Client Gateway isn’t fully compatible with mobile devices and is only for clients operating as individuals. Updates to support businesses entities, along with mobile devices will come in a later version. Clients will need the following to access the Client Gateway: A USDA eAuthentication Level 2 Account A USDA Service Center Information Management System (SCIMS) individual customer record that is linked to their eAuthentication account Internet access Using Conservation Client Gateway 5 tabs at the top of the Client Gateway Home Page provides the user options to request assistance, or to view information.

Visit the Conservation Client Gateway website at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/clientgateway Choose the “Get Started Button” on how to access the system for the first time If you already have access, choose the login button

Conservation Client Gateway - Get Started The signup process for Conservation Client Gateway involves a few steps: Creating a USDA eAuthentication (eAuth) Level 2 account to access Client Gateway Validating your identity (either online or in-person).  A process to ensure that you, and only you, can access your account information through Conservation Client Gateway Linking your eAuth Account to your USDA Customer Record (either online or in-person)

Step 1 - Getting Your Information Together To access the Conservation Client Gateway, you need to have an individual client record in the USDA Service Center Information Management System (SCIMS).  Your SCIMS customer record needs to be up-to-date with a valid email address in order to sign up for Conservation Client Gateway.  If you are unsure if you have a USDA SCIMS customer record, or whether it has a valid primary email address, contact your local NRCS or FSA office. 

Step 2- Create your eAuthentication Account Sign up for a USDA eAuthentication Level 2 account (create a User ID and Password)  You will receive an email from USDA eAuthentication, click the link to “Activate your account” Choose how to validate your identity, online, or in-person Note - If you already have an eAuth account used as an employee, Technical Service Provider (TSP) or, to work with NRCS as a partner, you will need a new public Level 2 Account.

Step 3 – Validate your Identity You have 2 options to validate your identity: Online using the NRCS Application Access Assistant (AAA) Visit a Local Registration Authority (LRA) in-person at your local Service Center

Option 1 – Online using the NRCS AAA Go to the Conservation Client Gateway website and click the login button: You will be prompted to enter your social security number You will be taken to a page with a list multiple-choice questions. Select the correct answer for each of the questions You will receive an email from USDA eAuth to notify you your account is now a Level 2. The email does not provide links to the Client Gateway and is for reference only Note the SSN is used temporarily as part of the identity verification process and will not be used or stored by USDA or NRCS. The questions are provided by a third party identify proofing service

Option 1– Online using the NRCS AAA Cont. You will receive an email from USDA eAuth to notify you your account is now a Level 2. The email does not provide links to the Client Gateway and is for reference only You will be taken through a process to link our SCIMS record to your eAuth account online If you encounter any problems using the AAA, follow the instructions to contact the Client Gateway Call Center via phone 970-372-4200 When the AAA is successfully completed you will automatically be taken to the Client Gateway Home Page, Where you will be able view your information and submit requests for conservation assistance.

Option 2 – In-Person with an LRA Call the Service Center Office and make an appointment to visit the LRA in person Take your government issued photo ID The LRA will validate your identity and promote your account Note You will receive an email from USDA eAuth to notify you your account is now a Level 2 – No action is required Ask the LRA to have your SCIMS record linked to your eAuth account Once your eAuth account is a Level 2 and linked to your SCIMS record, you can go to the Conservation Client Gateway website and use the login button to access your information and submit requests for conservation assistance.

Request Assistance Tab Through “Request Assistance” tab clients can: Request Conservation Technical Assistance Request a new conservation plan Request technical assistance for natural resource concerns Request other technical assistance Apply for Financial Assistance Clients can apply on-line for financial assistance conservation Farm Bill programs Clients can eSign applications and other documents on-line Access technical reference websites Submit questions to their Service Center Office View their requests submitted through the Request Assistance tab

Request Technical Assistance Select desired type of Technical Assistance Request Optional Import/Export of GIS Shape file Identify area on the map from current land, or draw using map tools, or search for new location by address, Long/Lat or PLSS

Request Assistance Cont. Identify Business Objectives – Optional

Request Assistance Cont. Identify Land Use – Optional

Request Assistance Cont. Identify Resource Concerns - Optional

Request Assistance Cont. Provide Additional Comments - Optional Add Documents – Optional

Request Assistance Cont. Receive Confirmation Message – Option to change the name of the request Upon submission and email will be sent to you and the designated point of contact at the designated Service Center Office Go to “View All Requests” to see the details of your submitted request

Manage Plans and Practices Tab Through the “Manage Plans and Practices” tab clients can: View their conservation plans and associated practice schedules View plan and practice summary and detail information, and view documents associated with a plan Report completed practices View plan modification and practice requests Agreements Tab Through the “Agreements” tab clients can: View financial assistance applications View and manage financial assistance contracts Make and view contract modification requests Report completed contract items View practice certification requests

Manage Payments Tab Account Tab Through the “Manage Payments” tab clients can: View payments due them for completed and certified contract items Request payments by signing the NRCS-CPA-1245, Request for Payment Account Tab Through the “Account” tab clients can: View their current customer profile information, which is stored in the Service Center Information Management System (SCIMS) Request changes to the SCIMS information NOTE: Requests to change SCIMS profile information are sent to the NRCS Field Office. The change in Client Gateway will occur once the SCIMS record has been updated.

Manage Payments Tab Account Tab Through the “Manage Payments” tab clients can: View payments due them for completed and certified contract items Request payments by signing the NRCS-CPA-1245, Request for Payment Account Tab Through the “Account” tab clients can: View their current customer profile information, which is stored in the Service Center Information Management System (SCIMS) Request changes to the SCIMS information NOTE: Requests to change SCIMS profile information are sent to the NRCS Field Office. The change in Client Gateway will occur once the SCIMS record has been updated.

Visit the Conservation Client Gateway website at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/clientgateway