ID.me has partnered with the California Employment Development Department (EDD) to help verify your identity for unemployment insurance (UI).
Video Chat Agent — What you need
- Email address
- Social Security number
- Two primary documents or one primary document and two secondary documents
- Mobile phone with camera or computer with a webcam
Tips and best practices for selecting and uploading acceptable identity documents.
Signing in to California EDD
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1. Visit the California EDD site and select Benefits Login from the header. |
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2. Sign in with an existing EDD account or select Register Now to create an account. |
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3. Select UI Online, then File New Claim. |
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4. Select Verify with ID.me and sign in to your ID.me account.If you've never set up an account with ID.me, select Create account to begin. Do not create more than one account . |
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Multi-factor Authentication
If you are creating a new account, you will need to set up multi-factor authentication (MFA) to continue with your verification. For instructions on setting up MFA, select one of the following MFA methods: Once you have successfully set up MFA, continue to Verifying your identity. |
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Verify your identity with a Video Call
Once you are signed in to your ID.me account, you can verify your identity with a video selfie, or over a video call with a live agent. Follow the steps to verify your identity with a Video Chat Agent. How do I verify my identity with a video selfie? |
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1. Select Video Chat Agent, then select Continue. |
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2. Select Get Started and follow the prompts to verify your identity. |
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3. Fill in your information and select Continue.Make sure the information you provide matches the information on your documents. |
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4. Confirm your Social Security number and select Continue. |
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5. Select the primary document you would like to use and select Continue.You'll need to upload a photo of two primary documents or one primary and two secondary documents. Your document should:
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6. Confirm the name on the document matches the name previously entered and select Continue. |
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7. Select either one additional primary document or two additional secondary documents and select Continue. |
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8. Choose how you want to send ID.me your documents and select Continue.You will have the option to take photos of the documents with your smartphone or by uploading images from a computer. |
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9. Upload front and back photos of your document, and select Continue.Not all documents require front and back photos; a U.S. Passport, for example. |
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10. Wait for your documents to be reviewed live by an ID.me Video Chat Agent. |
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11. You will receive an email from ID.me inviting you to join a video call with an ID.me Video Chat Agent; select Check in now to join. |
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12. Wait for the next Video Chat Agent to be available.Make sure to have the documents you uploaded on hand, as you will need to show the documents during the video call. Wait times may vary. |
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13. When prompted, select Join Video Call to speak with a Video Chat Agent.Show the Video Chat Agent your documents, answer a few questions, and that’s it—your identity has been verified! |
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14. Once you are verified by the Video Chat Agent, don’t forget to scroll down select Allow.This step securely shares your identity information with EDD and enables you to access the EDD application for which you verified. |
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ID.me’s role in UI claims is limited to identity verification. For information on your UI claim status, eligibility, etc., contact California EDD. |
Fraud alert for Californians
Scammers continue to prey upon those in need of assistance during this pandemic. California EDD has reported that individuals are impersonating California EDD and ID.me to get individuals to divulge their personal identifying information. Californians should be aware that EDD does not send representatives to homes and neither California EDD nor ID.me will contact individuals via social media and other websites.
- If EDD calls claimants, the caller ID may show “St of CAEDD” or the UI Customer Service number 1-800-300-5616 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- If individuals opted in for SMS text alerts, messages are sent from 510-74 or 918-06 to the phone number listed on the unemployment claim.
- For the latest developments involving benefit fraud, visit EDD’s new consolidated “Help Fight Fraud” webpage.