DEW Partners With National Leader, ID.me,
to Secure UI for South Carolinians and Reduce Fraudulent Claims
Identity Verification Vendor Will Help DEW Lead Efforts in Fighting Unemployment Insurance Fraud

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW) announced today an exciting step in its fraud prevention and claimant protection efforts – a partnership with ID.me. ID.me is a federally-certified identity verification provider specializing in digital identity protection and is utilized by several states to address the high volume of unemployment fraud across the nation.

As part of the DEW’s initial claims process, ID.me will enable unemployment insurance claimants to verify their identity online using a self-service application. Based on experience with other states using ID.me, around 90% of claimants successfully complete the process in approximately 5 minutes using their mobile phone, computer and a few pieces of documentation that they carry in their wallet. Users who are not successful with the self-service approach can complete the process through a live video conference session with an ID.me Trusted Referee.

“DEW was one of the first states to implement identity verification measures when we launched the Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) program in September 2020. Shortly thereafter, we identified the partnership with ID.me as an opportunity to make the process easier and more secure than ever,” said DEW Executive Director Dan Ellzey. “While the latest federal legislation now requires all states to have an identity verification process in place, we are ahead of the curve in implementing this step in our efforts to combat fraud. This is just one more solution we are adding to our robust portfolio to protect South Carolinians and their unemployment insurance benefits. ”

ID.me’s identity proofing and multi-factor authentication services are federally certified, making them compliant with the National Institute of Standards (NIST)’s digital identity guidelines. ID.me is also the only provider to offer a video chat option for claimants that may need additional assistance in the identity verification process.

ID.me FAQ

Who will be required to complete the ID.me identity verification process with this launch?
Because current claimants have provided various forms of documentation and proof of identity, depending on the agency and program requirements, only new claimants filing their initial claims will be required to complete the identity verification process through ID.me.

What can claimants expect?
Claimants will be required to create a free account with ID.me before they register for unemployment insurance benefits. Once their ID.me account is complete, they will also need to provide a self-portrait. As a note, the selfie must be captured in real-time and cannot be uploaded from their smartphone photo library. If a claimant doesn’t have a smartphone with an operational camera, ID.me conveniently offers a live video chat identity verification feature. When the claimant completes their verification process, they will be required to give consent for this information to be shared with DEW. A support page for South Carolina has been added to the ID.me website as a resource for claimants.

Is there a video tutorial to explain how the ID.me verification process works?
Yes, please watch the full video tutorial here, provided by ID.me.

What can a claimant expect during the live video session?
If a claimant cannot complete the verification by uploading a real-time selfie and documentation, they will be required to complete a video chat session with an ID.me Trusted Referee in which they will be given instructions to share documentation with the ID.me staff member.

After successfully completing the video call, they will be required to give consent that ID.me can share the successful verification of your identity with DEW.

What happens if the claimant doesn’t have a smartphone or computer with a webcam?
You only need a webcam if you cannot complete the initial verification process. Claimants can borrow a friend or family member’s computer, tablet or smartphone if they do not personally own one to complete this one-time requirement. They will be given the option to “Verify identity on a video call” after the third self-service attempt.

Resources for Spanish-speaking claimants/Recursos para solicitantes de habla hispana
Por favor lea este PDF traducido al español.

What else DEW is doing to combat fraud as part of the pandemic response?

• Added additional fraud analysts to increase impact and expertise.
• Utilizing several vendors for security measures for different programs and throughout different parts of the claims process.
• Working closely with state and federal authorities to maintain an open line of communication regarding active fraud schemes and prevention tactics.
• Open communication with other states agencies like DEW to share data, best practices and schemes being detected in other parts of the nation.
• Cross matching of our data against known fraudulent identifiers, as well as national suspect activity deemed fraudulent.
• Actively participating in identity proofing through the National Association of State Workforce Agencies.
• Working closely with state and federal law enforcement partners in investigations of fraudulent activity.