ID.me has partnered with the state of Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES) to help verify your identity for unemployment insurance benefits.

Claimants filing a new Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) claim will be required to verify their identity with ID.me as a step in the claims process.

To verify your identity:

1. Click the green Verify with ID.me button.
2. Follow the prompts to either log in to your existing ID.me account, or create a new one.
3. Confirm your email address.
4. Select and set up the multi-factor authentication option of your choice.
5. Next, choose the document you want to use to verify your identity: driver’s license, state ID, passport, or passport card.
6. Follow the prompts to submit photos of your selected document. Click here for tips and best practices.
7. When prompted, take and submit a selfie.
8. Enter all other requested information, including your Social Security number.
9. At the end of the process, be sure to click Allow and continue. This step shares your identity information with MDES and enables your PUA claim to continue.

Note: If you verified your identity with a Trusted Referee:

1. Return to the MDES site.
2. Log in to your MDES account.
3. Provide your ID.me credentials when prompted.
4. Follow the steps for MDES, then click to Allow them to use your verified identity information.

Click here for a user guide that explains the process.

NOTE: If your online identity verification attempt is unsuccessful, you may wish to use our Trusted Referee verification option. Look for the Verify identity on a video call button and follow the prompts. Click here to learn more. If you verify your identity with a Trusted Referee, return to your state workforce agency site and log in. When asked for your ID.me credentials, click to Allow the state to use your verified identity information.