Employee Common Identifier (ECI)

1. Employee Common Identifier (ECI) • 10 Digit number to identify casual personnel • Replaces use of Social Security Numbers on the OF-288 • Addresses Personally Identifiable Information (PII) concerns ECI TRANSITION

2. General Information • Beginning January 1, 2014, SSN’s will no longer be used on the OF-288 • ECI’s will be the only identification number used in I-Suite • Existing casuals that have been paid already have an ECI number generated • New casuals will have an ECI number generated as hiring information is entered into FPPS ECI TRANSITION

3. Hiring Unit Responsibilities • Submit hiring information to Payment Center to generate ECI for new casuals (Because of PII concerns, please DO NOT email requests) • Approving Official may call the Payment Center to have ECI generated via phone • Approving Official must provide casuals: Name, SSN and Hired-At location • Approving Official may obtain ECIs for multiple casuals by submitting a list via secured fax • Provide ECI information to casuals when mobilized to incident • Upon return from incident; ensure all OF-288s include ECI prior to sending to Payment Center ECI TRANSITION

4. Payment Center Responsibilities • For Existing Casuals: • Provide ECI’s to Hiring Units via secured fax • Provide ECI’s to Hiring Units over the phone • For New Casuals: • Enter pre-hire profile documents into FPPS to generate an ECI • Enter fax or verbal hiring information into FPPS to generate an ECI ECI TRANSITION

5. Casual Employees Responsibilities • If the casual does not know their ECI, they will contact the Hiring Unit for the information • If Hiring Unit is unavailable to provide ECI, the casual will contact the Payment Center • Provide ECI to Finance Section for I-Suite input when on incidents ECI TRANSITION

6. Electronic Funds Transfer • On March 1, 2013, the U.S. Treasury implemented the requirement for direct deposit and will discontinue the issuance of paper checks. • Expected implementation is April 11, 2014 • If the casual can’t get a direct deposit, there are two options: • Electronic Transfer Account (ETA) • Waiver Request ECI TRANSITION

7. ElectronicFunds Transfer • Casuals may apply for a waiver if electronic funds transfer would impose a hardship because of the individual’s inability to manage an account at a financial institution due to: • Mental impairment • Living in a remote geographical location lacking the infrastructure to support electronic financial transactions • The Electronic Funds Transfer Waiver Request form must be completed by the casual and then submitted to the Payment Center for processing. • The waiver process must be completed and submitted annually. ECI TRANSITION