FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT EPP/ESS ACCESS/PASSWORDS
AKA "MY PASSWORD DOESN’T WORK"

1. Are you using the correct website address for EPP/ESS (and not EEX)?
   
   https://www.nfc.usda.gov/personal/index2.asp
   
   Did you remember the "s"?.... https



2. Do you have Java and Java Script enabled on your web browser? It is required.



3. Are you using your Employee Personal Page password, and not the password for Employee Express or TSP or some other application?



4. Has the password worked before?  If so, how long has it been since you used it?
   
   If you had an EPP password and did not use it, it may have been deactivated. In October 2000, NFC ran a sweep to deactivate EPP passwords which had not been used in six months or longer. Subsequently, NFC decided never to deactivate passwords again for non-use.



5. Have you requested a new password recently?
   
   You may only submit ONE password request within a 14 day period. If a previous password request was successful, you must wait 14 days before submitting another request.
   
   E-mailed passwords are considered temporary and are only good for 14 days. You must log on with the temporary password within 14 days of receiving it, click Password Retrieval, and then set up a new customized permanent 8-digit password.



6. Do you have your E-mail Address and security Challenge Question and Answer set up in the PREFERENCES section of EPP?
   
   If so, log onto the EPP website and click the link for FORGOT PASSWORD and select REQUEST PASSWORD BY E-MAIL. You must log on with the temporary password within 14 days of receiving it, click PASSWORD RETRIEVAL, and then set up a new customized permanent 8-digit password.



7. If you do not have your security information set up in PREFERENCES
   
   check the accuracy of your mailing address on the NFC payroll/personnel database. The address printed on your Leave and Earnings Statement is your address of record on the NFC database. If you are a paperless Leave and Earnings Statement user, have your Personnel Office verify your mailing address on the NFC database.
   
   If your address is CORRECT, you may log onto the EPP website and click the link for FORGOT PASSWORD and select REQUEST PASSWORD BY MAIL. Your permanent password will be mailed out the next business day and should arrive between 7-10 business days, depending on the postal service in your area. The password letter will be mailed in the same type of envelope as your regular Leave and Earnings Statement from NFC.
   
   If your mailing address is INCORRECT, you must submit a paper form AD-349 Address Change Form to your Personnel Office and have the address change transaction manually keyed into NFC.
   
   Wait until you receive your first paper leave and earnings statement at your correct mailing address. If you are a paperless Leave and Earnings Statement user, have your Personnel Office verify that your new address has successfully been established on the NFC database as your address of record.
   
   Then, log onto the EPP website and click the link for Forgot Password and Request Password By Mail. Your permanent EPP password will be mailed out the next business day and should arrive within 7-10 business days. It comes in the same type of envelope as the regular Leave and Earnings Statements. Be sure to watch for it in the mail.



8. SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES - TIME-SENSITIVE DOCUMENTS:
   
   If a payroll transaction must be processed within 14 days and before you can obtain your EPP password to utilize NFC Employee Self-Service, complete a paper payroll document and have your Personnel/Payroll Office manually process it on your behalf.



9. ALL CIRCUMSTANCES ARE NOT SPECIAL:
   
   Even if you do have your Personnel/Payroll Office process a paper payroll document, make sure you still follow through and take the steps necessary to successfully obtain your EPP password and verify that you have EPP access so you will be equipped to utilize NFC ESS the next time. Depending on the requirements of your organization, you may be required to utilize ESS for your next payroll transaction.