epass to Access Key Frequently Asked Questions
- What is changing?
- Why are you changing it?
- Which Service Canada online applications will be affected?
- I have an epass, how do I get an Access Key?
- Can I still use my epass?
- Can I still use my epass or Access Key for my Canada Revenue Agency Account?
- What happens when I have an epass and an Access Key?
- What if I never had an epass?
- If I have questions about Access Key login and registration, who do I contact?
1. What is changing?
The Government of Canada is replacing the current epass Canada service with a new service called Access Key. Access Key will continue to provide Canadians with secure access to government online services. My Service Canada Account will make the transition to Access Key on September 27, 2010.
2. Why are you changing it?
The new Access Key system offers departments a cost effective, efficient and flexible authentication solution. It ensures that the authentication service addresses needs of each Government of Canada department and their different business transactions without compromising the security of services and the protection of personal information.
3. Which Service Canada online applications will be affected?
Service Canada clients will need an Access Key to use the following online services within My Service Canada Account:
- Viewing and/or updating your important Employment Insurance (EI) messages, payment information, current/past claims
- Viewing and/or changing your Employment Insurance direct deposit, mailing address and telephone number
- Viewing and/or printing your Employment Insurance, Canada Pension Plan (CPP) or Old Age Security (OAS) tax slips
- Viewing and/or changing your CPP/OAS payment destination, address and telephone number
- Viewing and/or printing your CPP Statement of Contributions and Benefit Estimate
- Viewing your electronic Records of Employment (ROE)
- Registering to pay Employment Insurance on your self-employment income (for self-employed persons)
Employers who use ROE Web to issue electronic records of employment will continue to use epass and will therefore not be affected by this change.
4. I have an epass, how do I get an Access Key?
As of September 27, 2010, when you login to My Service Canada Account with your epass User ID and Password for the first time, the system will ask you to accept the Terms and Conditions of Use, and re-enter your epass User ID and Password. When completed, the system will automatically create your new Access Key. The User ID, Password and Recovery Questions you used with epass will remain the same. Your user information will continue to be secure during the process of upgrading your epass to an Access Key.
Your epass and your new Access Key will be synchronized. Your epass will continue to be valid with some Government of Canada online programs and services.
5. Can I still use my epass?
As the Access Key service is rolled out, Government of Canada online programs and services will gradually begin the process of changing over to the new Access Key system. Until the transition of all online programs is completed by December 31, 2010, you will still be able to use your epass with certain programs.
Employers who use ROE Web to issue electronic records of employment will continue to use epass and will therefore not be affected by this change.
6. Can I still use my epass or Access Key for my Canada Revenue Agency Account?
No. On October 4, 2010, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) changed over to a different system. You will need to get a seperate CRA login and password to access CRA online services.
For more information about CRA's online services please visit the CRA Web site.
7. What happens when I have an epass and an Access Key?
If you have an epass that you changed over to an Access Key, in effect you now have 2 ‘credentials’ with the Government of Canada. Once all programs and services have made the transition to the Access Key service, the epass service will only be used by employers who access the ROE Web online application to issue electronic records of employment.
In the mean time, your epass and your new Access Key will be synchronized. This way if you change your password, update your recovery questions or perform other maintenance activities, both your epass and your Access Key will be updated at the same time.
8. What if I never had an epass?
If you never had an epass, you can simply create your Access Key. Click on the “Register” link and follow the steps to create an Access Key.
9. If I have questions about Access Key login and registration, who do I contact?
More information about Access Key is available through the Access Key Frequently Asked Questions page.