AgriStability: Step 5. Managing your account

With My AAFC Account you can view your account information online.

You can:

• track the status of an application
• view current and prior year statements
• view the letters AAFC has sent
• communicate with AAFC electronically in a secure environment
• include attachments with your message
• file an adjustment or appeal online, including attachments
• manage your address and contacts

For more information, visit My AAFC Account.

You can now authorize a representative to access your AgriInvest online services in My AAFC Account even if you are not a My AAFC Account user. For more information, see Authorize a representative.

Register for direct deposit to avoid delays in receiving your AgriStability benefits. Direct deposit is fast, convenient, reliable and secure.

There are 2 ways to register for direct deposit:

1. with My AAFC Account:
   • you can quickly and conveniently provide your bank account information
   • after you enter and confirm your account details, you will be registered for direct deposit
   • you can view and change your bank account information any time
2. complete an AgriStability Direct Deposit Registration Form:
   • send your signed and completed form to:

     AgriStability Administration
     PO Box 3200
     Winnipeg MB  R3C 5R7

   • your completed form will be processed within 30 days from the date it is received
   • If you’re entitled to an AgriStability benefit while your Direct Deposit form is under review, your payment will be issued to you by cheque.

If you have more than one farming operation, complete a form for each operation with a Participant Identification Number (PIN).

You may use the following account (except an AgriInvest account):

• an existing chequing or savings account
• a joint chequing or savings account

You may not use an AgriInvest account for AgriStability payments. The AgriInvest account may only be used for AgriInvest program purposes.

For a chequing account, you can find your account details at the bottom left corner of a cheque. See the example below:

1. cheque number (not required)
2. branch number – 5 digits (required)
3. institution number – 3 digits (required)
4. account number – maximum 12 digits (required)

If you do not have a cheque available contact your financial institution.

For a savings account, check an account statement for your account details or contact your financial institution.

To change your bank account information, either:

• log into My AAFC Account and enter your new account details
• send AAFC a completed AgriStability Direct Deposit Registration Form with your new account details

To change your address:

• log into My AAFC Account
  • select Manage Address/Contacts and update your address
• complete the AgriStability and AgriInvest Address Change form
  • mail or fax your completed form to:
    • AgriStability and AgriInvest
    • PO Box 3200
    • Winnipeg MB  R3C 5R7
    • Toll-free fax: 1-877-949-4885
• call 1-866-367-8506
  • you must provide:
    • your full name
    • your Participant Identification Number (PIN)
    • 2 figures from your most current AgriStability form or statement {for example, your Statement A form or Calculation of Program Benefits (COB)}

Your primary contact is the contact you identified on your AgriStability and AgriInvest form to provide and receive information on your behalf. This information is updated each year when you file your form.

To add or remove a contact person in addition to your primary contact person:

• log into My AAFC Account
  • select Manage Address/Contacts and update your address
• complete the AgriStability and AgriInvest Additional Contact Person form
  • mail or fax your completed form to:
    • AgriStability and AgriInvest
    • PO Box 3200
    • Winnipeg MB  R3C 5R7
    • Toll-free fax: 1-877-949-4885
• call 1-866-367-8506
  • you must provide:
    • your full name
    • your Participant Identification Number (PIN)
    • 2 figures from your most current AgriStability form or statement {for example, your Statement A form or Calculation of Program Benefits (COB)}

You may adjust your AgriStability form by sending a completed adjustment request form within 18 months from the date on your original Calculation of Program Benefits.

If AAFC accepts your adjustment, they will make the changes and issue you a Revised Calculation of Program Benefits.

To adjust your original adjustment, you must send it the later of:

• 90 days from the date on your Revised Calculation of Program Benefits
• 18 months from the date on your original Calculation of Program Benefits

If your adjustment increases your original payment, AAFC will issue you the additional amount. If your adjustment decreases your original payment, you will have to repay the overpayment.

For more information on adjustments, visit How do I make an adjustment to my form?

You have 90 days from the date AAFC informs you of a decision they made to appeal. Use the appeal form to submit an appeal if:

• you feel AAFC did not correctly apply the AgriStability program rules to your form
• you missed a deadline because of exceptional circumstances beyond your control

Disagreeing with program rules is not a valid reason for an appeal. However, if you feel that AAFC did not apply program rules correctly, you may request a review of your application by the administration.

For information on appeals, visit How do you submit an appeal?

An estate may participate in AgriStability if it meets the eligibility requirements of the program.

If you are the executor, you must notify AAFC of the participant's death and send the following documents:

• a certified copy of the death certificate or funeral director's certificate. This is needed to change the name of the account to include “Estate/Succession”; and
• a certified copy of the will and letter of probate (or letters of administration). This is needed to identify who can act on behalf of the estate and beneficiaries.

For more information on estate participation, visit Can an estate participate in AgriStability?