TO:  MFH Owners and Management Agents

        Minnesota

SUBJECT:  New Security Requirements to Access the Rural Development’s

        Management Interactive Network Connection (MINC) System

Due to Departmental security requirements, Rural Development must implement a new registration process for all MFH customers to access the Management Interactive Network Connection (MINC) system.  All Management Agents and Management Agent Users now registered in the MINC system will be required to go through the eAuthentication system to log into the MINC system.

USDA eAuthentication is the system used by USDA agencies to enable customers to obtain accounts that will allow them to access USDA Web applications and services via the Internet.  This includes things such as submitting forms electronically, completing surveys online, and checking the status of your USDA accounts.  To conduct official business transactions with USDA (using MINC), registered customers must have Level 2 Assurance credentials.  USDA Customers must visit a local USDA Service Center in person for Identity Verification to acquire Level 2 Assurance credentials. 

What is an eAuthentication account?

You can use an eAuthentication account to access a wide range of USDA applications.  You gain the convenience of transacting business with USDA online anytime, anywhere.  Your eAuthentication account consists of a User ID, a password, and your customer profile containing information about you that will help USDA applications make decisions about your identity.  Currently, USDA offers accounts with Level 1 Access and accounts with Level 2 Access.

What is Level 2 Access?

Level 2 Access will be necessary to access the MINC system.  An account with Level 2 Access provides access to all the portals and applications that are covered by an account with Level 2 Access, and also provides the ability to conduct official electronic business transactions with the USDA via the Internet.  You must have a valid email address to register for an account with Level 2 Access.  You create a customer profile, User ID, and password that you will remember and respond to a confirmation email within seven (7) days.  In addition, you must visit the nearest USDA Service Center in person and prove your identity with a current State Drivers License, State Photo ID, US Passport or US Military ID. 

The implementation deadline for setting up eAuthentication accounts is August 15, 2006.

Attached are step-by-step instructions to assist you in this process.

Thank you for your prompt attention in complying with this requirement.  If you should have any questions, please contact your local Rural Development servicing office.

JACKIE J. MORRIS

MFH Program Director

Step-By-Step Customer Instructions

(Management Agents and MA Users – anyone with a TP ID and/or an MA ID)

1. To register for a USDA ID and Password, each Management Agent and MA User will need to log into the USDA On-line Services website at http://www.sc.egov.usda.gov.  Select Register for a USDA ID and Password under the “I Want To” options at the top right of the page.  On the next screen, click on Create An Account Page.  Then choose Level 2 Access.  Finally, fill in the required data fields on the Create an Account pages and hit Submit when completed.

·        Your first and last names must be entered exactly as they appear on the government-issued photo ID you will be taking to the USDA Service Center to prove your identity.

·        Your User ID must be a minimum of 6 characters and cannot exceed 20 characters.  The User ID is not case sensitive.  It may contain letters, numbers, and these special characters:  ._-@

·        Once you create a user ID, it cannot be changed.

·        Create a password that you will remember.  The password must be a minimum of 4 characters and cannot exceed 10 characters.

2. Once the registration process has been completed, the user will receive a confirmation email.  This confirmation email will provide the customer with log-on instructions that will activate their Access Level.  The customer must follow the instructions in the email to activate their account within seven (7) days of receipt, or they will have to start the entire process over again.  You must respond to the confirmation email before going to the USDA Service Center for Identity Verification.
    

3. Present government-issued identification to the Local Registration Authority (LRA) at a USDA Service Center office.  You may locate the nearest Service Center office by logging on to http://www.sc.egov.usda.gov and selecting the option Find a Service Center.  Also, we have provided links to a listing of LRA’s in each office to assist you in this effort.  Please be sure to call ahead to the Service Center to be certain the LRA will be available.  The LRA will verify the customer’s identity and validate the Level 2 account.

NOTE:  Once you present your government issued photo ID at your local USDA Service Center and your account is activated, you will be required to update your password at your next login into MINC to meet Level 2 Access password requirements.  Your password, which is case sensitive, must meet the following requirements:

·        The password must be a minimum of 9 characters and cannot exceed 12 characters.

·        Must contain at least one uppercase letter, at least one lowercase letter, and at least one non-alphabetical character, which includes numbers and these punctuation marks:  !#-$%*=+:;,?  Do not use any punctuation marks not in the above list, or spaces or tabs.

·        May not contain your first or last name, your User ID, or dictionary words.

4. Once the user has a Level 2 eAuthentication account they will need to associate it to their Management Agent/MA User ID.  The user will be able to do this in one of the following ways:
    
1. Before August 15, 2006, there will be a link on the Management Agent page and the MA User page called Associate eAuth ID.  When this link is selected, the user will be prompted to login with their eAuthentication ID and password.  When this is done, the user should receive a message stating that their ID has been successfully associated to the user ID they are currently logged on with.  The user will need to remember this eAuthentication ID and password for use when the MINC site is protected by eAuthentication.
    
2. After August 15, 2006, all users will be required to have a Level 2 eAuthentication account because eAuthentication will be enabled on the MINC web pages.  When selecting the Management Agent or the MA User link on the MINC main page, the user will be required to login with their eAuthentication ID and password.  If the ID is not associated to a Management Agent/MA User ID, they will be prompted to enter their Management Agent/MA User ID and password to associate it to the eAuthentication ID.  The user will then only need to use their eAuthentication ID when logging into the MINC system.

RD Local Registration Authority List
USDA Local Registration Authority List

Send mail to adam.czech@mn.usda.gov with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: November 01, 2007