New Online Forms Service Available for RD, FSA, and NRCS Customers
The Rural Development, Farm Service Agency and Natural Resources Conservation Service agencies announced the availability of a new e-commerce service on the World Wide Web. The new web site http://forms.sc.egov.usda.gov/eforms/mainservlet, will be available on December 18, 2000 and will replace other sites for these agencies that provide electronic forms.
This web site will provide electronic access to forms (eForms) USDA customers most frequently use. To access eForms, log on to the Internet through your Internet service provider and enter http://www.forms.sc.egov.usda.gov/eforms/mainservlet, which will take you to the service center e-Commerce home page. Click on the "eForms" icon to go to the page where you can search for forms by number, program area, or agency.
First time users need to download and install a "plug-in" to take full advantage of the services available on the eForms web site. To install the plug-in, click on the eForms icon to go to the eForms page and then click on the "Help" link. Next, click on the "Need help downloading and installing the OmniForms or Adobe Acrobat" link and follow the instructions.
Once the plug-in is installed on your computer, go back to the USDA eCommerce homepage and click on the eForms icon to go to the eForms page. Here you can search for forms either by number or by program area or an agency's name. When you find the form you want, click on the blue highlighted OmniForm format and it will appear on the screen. Fill it out, print it, and you have a completed form that's ready for faxing or mailing. After completing the forms, you must either fax, mail, or personally deliver them to the applicable USDA service center.
Many of the forms are also available in the PDF format for a limited time. However, using the OmniForms version of the forms provides a significant advantage over the PDF version. The forms and information recorded into the OmniForms version can be downloaded and saved on your own computer, giving you access to the forms and information without having to go online. This will permit you to reuse standard information, like your name and address, without having to retype it.
Your RD, FSA, or NRCS service center office will be available during normal business hours to provide any assistance you need in understanding the forms or the information that needs to be recorded. Your local RD, FSA, and NRCS office will continue to be your point of contact for any questions of this nature.
Technical assistance on using the web site and the OmniForms plug-in is available by calling 1-800-457-3642. Technical help service is available Monday through Friday from 5:00 am to midnight (Mountain Time) and from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Mountain Time) on Saturday and Sunday.
Some of the advantages of using the eForms service include the following:
 | Fewer trips to USDA service centers |
| No lines, no waiting |
| Forms can be saved on your computer, giving you access to them without going online |
| No need to retype information when you save a completed form on your computer |
| Fill out the forms when it's most convenient for you, day or night |
| Toll-free technical support |
Questions and Answers
What Forms are available on-line?
Many of the forms most frequently used by our customers are already available. A
complete list of the forms available can be displayed or printed from the web
site by performing a search using the default criteria of "All" for
agency and "All" for program name. Additional forms will be added
every month for a while. Check the web site often to see what's new.
Who do I have to call to get online?
There are numerous local, regional, and national Internet Service Providers
(ISPs) who can provide you Internet connection services. Ask a friend or
computer retailer for suggestions.
What kind of computer do I need?
To download and save forms, the minimum configuration recommended is a: 486 PC
(not a Mac) with 32 megabytes of RAM, 30 megabytes of free disk space, and a
modem. The PC needs to be running Windows 95 or higher and either Netscape 4.08
or Internet Explorer 4.0 or higher.
What kind of printer do I need?
Whatever printer you're currently using should work fine for printing forms.
What is a plug-in and how do I plug it in?
A plug-in is a mini program that a computer uses to perform a special function.
To "plug it in" click the "Help" link on the eForms page and
then click the "Need help downloading the OmniForm Plug-in or Adobe
Acrobat" link and follow the instructions. Call the technical help desk at
1-800-457-3642 if you need assistance.
If I fill out the form on-line, can I submit it to the
USDA on-line or send it via e-mail?
No. You must either fax, mail, or personally, deliver completed forms to the
applicable USDA service center.
Do people who use the Internet get special treatment?
No. Everyone is treated the same. These online services are only an effort to
make it easier to meet the paperwork demands of USDA programs.
Can someone else print out this information for me?
Certainly. Ask a friend or check with a local library or school. They may have
computers that you can use to get the forms you want.
What about privacy? Will the Government collect
information about me?
No personal information will be collected through this service.
What are the web site's hours?
The web site is always available.
Can I just get forms the old way?
Yes, USDA service centers will continue to operate as always. Online services
are a convenience, not a requirement.
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