Want to earn money back when you shop? The ID.me Cash Back program lets you earn a percentage of your purchases from select retailers. This article explains how the program works, how to get paid via your PayPal account, and what to expect with processing times and payout schedules.

Cash back eligibility

To participate in the ID.me Cash Back program, you must:

• Create an ID.me Wallet
• Be 18 years of age or older
• Link your PayPal account to your Shop account

Community verification is not required to earn cash back, though verifying your community may unlock additional savings. The program is available to members outside the United States provided the store ships to your location. For more details, see the Cash Back Terms.

Link PayPal to your Shop account

Start by signing up for a PayPal account, then link it to your ID.me Wallet. To link the accounts:

1. Sign in to ID.me Shop.
2. In the upper right corner, select My Cash.
3. In the PayPal account section, select Add Account.
4. Enter your PayPal email and confirm it.
5. Select Update Email.  

Ways to earn cash back

Cash back is only available if you start shopping from ID.me Shop. There are a couple ways to earn cash back:

Start at ID.me Shop

1. Go to ID.me Shop and find participating brands.
2. Select a store offering cash back (e.g., "up to 3.5% cash back").
3. Click to activate cash back and sign in to your ID.me Wallet to proceed to the store’s site.
4. Add items to your cart and complete the purchase.

Use the ID.me Shop browser extension

The ID.me Shop extension notifies you of cash back offers while browsing online. To learn more, visit Using the ID.me Shop browser extension.

When you’ll get paid

You’ll receive cash back payments through PayPal if:

• You link your PayPal account.
• Your balance reaches at least $10 in cash back in a calendar quarter.

Keep in mind, unclaimed cash back expires after 12 months.

Payout schedules

Payout statuses

Your cash back status can be found under "My Cash" in your ID.me Shop account:

How to check your balance

To check your cash back balance:

1. Go to ID.me Shop and sign in.
2. Select My Cash in the upper right corner.
3. View your balance under Cash Back Balance.

When travel cash back is paid

Travel cash back may be delayed until your trip is completed. Even if billed at booking, confirmation from the travel company is required. If cash back for travel is not credited within six months of trip completion, file a dispute.

Cash back FAQs

I made a purchase directly on a retailer’s website. Can I still earn cash back?

No. Cash back is only credited for purchases that start from ID.me Shop.

Can I earn cash back on gift certificates?

This depends on the retailer's policies. Review terms on the retailer's ID.me Shop page.

When does my cash back appear?

Qualifying purchases appear as "Pending" within three business days and change to "Processed" once the return period expires (45-90 days).

What if my cash back balance is lower than expected?

Review recent purchases under "My Cash" to verify payout status. Travel cash back won’t be processed until the trip is completed.

How can I report missing cash back?

If you don't see a purchase in your account within two weeks, you have 60 days to file a dispute. 

When reporting missing cash back:

• The receipt must be a valid image showing full order information 
• Partial order information is not accepted and will delay your missing cash back report. 
• If your purchase was travel related, please provide the original booking confirmation.

To report missing cash back:

1. Sign in to your ID.me Shop account.
2. In the upper right corner, select My Cash.
3. Select Missing Cash, enter your information in the form, attach your receipt, then select Submit.