How to Verify your Identity Information with California EDD using ID.Me for EDD unemployment benefits

California has revamped how to verify your identity for EDD unemployment benefits payments.

Due to California’s rampant unemployment fraud, the state paused new claims for two entire weeks in the fall of 2020.

It started requiring mandatory identity verification for new unemployment claims, and in many cases requiring open claims to verify, or re-verify their identity to the California EDD system.

Originally this was easier and less intrusive with a fax machine transaction to EDD. However they recently updated this identity verification system again to an outsourced private for profit company called ID.Me.

Understandably this still had some exposed weakness like identity verification in Vegas Vacation to enter a casino and gamble as a minor. Given the ramifications of identity theft, and the billions of tax payer dollars on the line the California EDD system partnered with ID.me to enhance the process.

EDD Timeline to register

The EDD has a normal 10 day registration period. However there have been issues with the ID.me system working through a big backlog, so it is temporarily 30 days.

Claimants who received an official EDD notification in their UI Online account to verify their identity with ID.me were advised to verify their identity within 10 days of the notice, but the EDD is extending that window of time to 30 days due to the current wait times for an ID.me Trusted Referee. This will provide claimants every opportunity to validate their identities before an EDD notice of disqualification is issued.

Due to the high demand placed on ID.me between new claims for benefits and existing claims suspended following fraud screening results, wait times are unusually high for reaching an ID.me representative for assistance.

We strongly encourage claimants to review the ID.me user guide (en Español) provided to fully utilize the self-service for validating identity and avoid the wait times for an ID.me Trusted Referee via a video chat.

April 2021 Update

It appears that the California EDD quietly discontinued usage of the ID.me service.

If you are stuck in this loop to use ID.me but the timeline expired you are prompted to use the California Unemployment Insurance Appeals process.

How do I register for California EDD Identity Verification with ID.Me?

Start at the California EDD benefits portal. You’ll file a new claim. After answering some questions you will get forwarded to ID.me.

You will need:

• An email address that you have full and ideally sole access too
• Smart phone with camera
• Computer or laptop is optional
• You will also need your forms of identification acceptable forms of identification. Photo identification presented must show your name, date of birth, and photograph. You can use any document from the following list, as long as it has not expired.

• • State identification (ID) card
  • Driver license
  • US passport or passport card
  • US military card (front and back)
  • Military dependent’s ID card (front and back)
  • Permanent Resident Card
  • Certificate of Citizenship
  • Certificate of Naturalization
  • Employment Authorization Document
  • Foreign passport

Check out this quick video below.

Tips for best verification process

How do I upload identification documents to ID.me?

First get all of your pieces of documentation ready for your video call, so you can get this process over with as soon as possible.

See attached PDF guide below if you still have questions.

April 2021 update

It appears that the California EDD has quietly discontinued its usage of ID.me,  read more about that and what other forms of identification verification you use to get your California EDD unemployment benefit payments back on track.

Note As of April 2021 we have a more expanded guide on the approved identification verification methods.

Career Purgatory is not associated with the State of California, EDD, or Id.Me.