California Employment Development Department, Strengthening Security and Access with Smarter Identity Verification (March 5, 2026)

Summary

A California Employment Development Department (EDD) news story, published March 5, 2026, on identity verification for benefit customers. It states that EDD began rolling out Socure verification to unemployment customers in August 2025 inside the myEDD online system, with ID.me as a secondary verification option and manual review by trained staff when verification cannot be completed. It states Socure has completed over 200,000 identity verifications and has verified approximately 80% of customers within seconds, and that disability and Paid Family Leave customers are to follow later this year. The story lists fraud figures including over 2,300 investigations, nearly 1,000 arrests, 670 convictions and nearly $6 billion recovered.

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Strengthening Security and Access with Smarter Identity Verification

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Published: March 5, 2026

At EDD, our mission is clear: to deliver fair, timely support to every Californian who needs it. One of the ways we’re doing that is by integrating modern identity-verification technologies, including Socure and ID.me, to streamline routine transactions, reduce unnecessary friction, and allow our experts to focus on the claims that demand deeper review and care. These enhancements build on lessons learned during the unprecedented pandemic surge and reflect our continued investment in strengthening program integrity.

We started rolling out this enhancement to our unemployment customers in August 2025. Using Socure’s technology, customers now have their identity verified directly inside our online system, called myEDD. This means no more switching between online areas or logging into multiple accounts. Having completed the rollout for unemployment, we’re now working to expand the new identity verification process to our disability and Paid Family Leave customers later this year.

For most people, the process is seamless and fast, helping customers access their benefits more quickly. In cases where additional review is needed, customers are guided through ID.me as a secondary verification option. If verification cannot be completed through these tools, trained EDD staff manually review the claim to make a final determination. No automated system makes final eligibility decisions without human oversight. Real people remain responsible for important outcomes.

Driving Faster, Safer Access for Customers

In the first few months of implementation, Socure has completed over 200,000 identity verifications using a layered approach that evaluates multiple signals in real time. So far, we’ve been able to verify approximately 80% of customers within seconds. This allows more customers to access the benefits they need quickly, while strengthening safeguards and reducing identity-based fraud attempts.

Strengthening Verification with Care and Security

When additional scrutiny is required, ID.me provides deeper identity verification support through multi-factor authentication and secure identity proofing methods such as document uploads and credential checks. ID.me acts as a secure backstop, ensuring identities are confirmed accurately while maintaining privacy protections.

All verification processes follow strict state and federal privacy standards. EDD does not share personal data beyond what is required to confirm identity for benefit purposes.

More Efficient Operations, Better Service

By streamlining routine identity verification steps, we are improving operational efficiency while preserving careful review of complex cases. These improvements allow our staff to dedicate more time and attention to claims that require nuance, discretion, and personal engagement. Human judgment, compassion, and expertise remain central to how we serve Californians.

This balanced approach reflects how modern organizations strengthen security while improving service. Technology supports the process, but people remain at the center of final decisions and customer care.

Committed to Fighting Fraud

These investments help further our ongoing work to protect our customers and block fraud attempts including:

- Hiring Fraud Special Counsel McGregor Scott to hold COVID-19 fraudsters accountable.
- Launching over 2,300 investigations, nearly 1,000 arrests, 670 convictions, and the recovery of nearly $6 billion.
- Blocking $125 billion in identity-related fraud during the pandemic.
- Working with ID.me, Accenture, and Thomson Reuters to deploy advanced data analysis and fraud fighting techniques.
- Chip-enabled Money Network debit cards for added security.
- Implementing 100 percent of the California State Auditor’s fraud fighting recommendations and much more.

Looking Ahead

EDD continues to modernize responsibly, applying secure tools thoughtfully and maintaining strong human oversight. Our goal is simple: protect public funds, safeguard personal information, and ensure eligible Californians receive benefits accurately and without unnecessary delay.

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