Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) works with ID.me to create a highly secure identity verification process that ensures you—and only you—will be able to access your benefits. ID.me’s role in this is only for identity verification. This article explains how to verify your identity for Iowa Workforce Development.
Before you verify
To verify your identity, you’ll need specific information and documents, depending if you verify using Self-Service, a short video call, or in-person. We recommend gathering any necessary documents before you begin the verification process.
Self-Service is the most common verification method. To verify, you’ll need:
- A mobile phone that has a camera or a computer with a webcam
- Email address
- Social Security number
- Government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, passport, passport card)
During a short video call, you’ll upload your document, then work with a live agent to finish verification. To verify, you’ll need:
- A mobile phone that has a camera or a computer with a webcam
- Email address
- Government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, passport, passport card)
- Social Security number
With in-person verification, you will book an appointment or walk-in online, then verify at a retail location near you. For step-by-step instructions, visit Verifying your identity in-person.
1. Visit IWD
Verification begins with Iowa Workforce Development. To get started:
- Log into your Iowa Workforce Development account at uiclaims.iwd.iowa.gov/UIInitialClaim/ to register for a new claim, or visit uiclaims.iwd.iowa.gov/weeklyclaims/ to certify your weekly claims and select File Weekly Claim.
- Select Verify with ID.me.
You’ll be redirected to the ID.me sign-in page where you can sign in or create an account.
2. Sign in to ID.me
If you have an ID.me account, sign in using your email address and password.
To create a new ID.me account, select Create an ID.me account, then set up your account:
- Enter your email address and password, then select Create account.
- Confirm your email address. For more information, visit Confirming your email address.
- Set up multi-factor authentication (MFA) to make your account even more secure.
3. Verify your identity
Verify your identity using Self-Service, a short video call, or in-person at select retail locations. Select the tab below for an overview of each verification method:
To verify your identity using Self-Service:
- Select Self-Service.
- Follow the prompts to upload your US driver’s license or state photo ID, or select Change Document to upload a passport or passport card. Learn how to take photos of your documents.
- Take and submit a video selfie.
- Enter your Social Security number.
- Review and confirm that all of your information is accurate, then select Yes. After ID.me verifies your identity you will receive a confirmation message as a way to protect you from fraud.
- Select Allow to finish your identity verification process.
To verify on a video call:
- Select Video Call.
Note: If you don’t have the required identity documents, select I don't have a driver's license, state ID, passport, or passport card to verify on an extended video call. - Select Get Started, accept ID.me's consent to collect personally identifiable information, then select Continue.
- Follow the prompts to upload your US driver’s license or state photo ID, or select Change document to upload a passport or passport card. Learn how to take photos of your documents.
- Enter your remaining information, including your Social Security number, then select Continue. Learn why ID.me asks for your Social Security number.
Connect with a Video Chat Agent
During the call with your Video Chat Agent, the agent will compare you to your uploaded identity document. To connect to a video call:
- After your information is confirmed, you will be prompted to join a video call. Select Join video call to proceed.
- Wait for the next Video Chat Agent to be available.
- Consent to having your call recorded, select Continue, then select Join video call when prompted.
- Stay on the call as the Video Chat Agent compares you to your identity document photo. This should only take a moment.
After you sign in to your ID.me account, book your appointment or walk-in online, then go in-person to verify your identity. For step-by-step instructions, visit Verifying your identity in-person.
4. Finish verification
To complete the verification process, remember to consent to share your information with the Iowa Workforce Development. How you do this depends on the verification method you use:
- Self-Service: After you confirm your information, select Allow to share your information.
- Video Chat Agent: Follow the steps in the email you receive after the video call to make sure you share your information with IWD. You’ll need to log back into your Iowa Workforce Development account at uiclaims.iwd.iowa.gov/UIInitialClaim/ to for a new claim or uiclaims.iwd.iowa.gov/weeklyclaims/ to for weekly claims, sign in to your ID.me account, and select Allow.
- In-person: After you receive an email confirming your identity was verified, return to IWD and sign in to your ID.me account. When prompted, select Allow to share your information.
Done! You may now continue with your new claims process or certifying your weekly claim.
Get help
Who you need to contact for help depends on if you completed the verification process or not.
ID.me
ID.me can help if you have trouble with the identity verification process. Common issues include:
IWD
They can best help with questions and next steps after you complete the verification process. For example, you may have questions about benefits or services you verified for. Before contacting them:
- Confirm your verification was successful
- Confirm you shared your information with the organization
- Review our best practices and sample messages of how to request help from the organization you need to access.