EDD Identity Verification Issues - How to Get Backpay?
Hey everyone, I'm having trouble with my unemployment claim. The EDD is saying I have to deal with some identity issues before I can get my benefits. Has anyone gone through this? I've filed multiple times but haven't received any payments. Is there a way to get back pay for all those times I filed? Any advice would be appreciated!
25 comments

Tom Maxon
I found a way to solve EDD identity verification issues, watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCnVKwCxk8I
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Sophia Carter
Ugh, identity verification is such a pain! I went through this last year. It took forever, but I finally got it sorted. Here's what I did: • Gathered ALL my documents (ID, SSN card, utility bills, etc.) • Uploaded clear, high-quality scans • Called EDD constantly until I got through • Asked for a tier 2 rep specifically • Followed up with emails every few days It's a hassle, but stay persistent. Once verified, I did get back pay for the weeks I missed. Good luck!
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Chloe Zhang
This is really helpful, thanks! How long did the whole process take for you?
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Sophia Carter
It took about 6 weeks from start to finish. The waiting was the worst part 😫
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Brandon Parker
6 weeks?! I've been waiting for 3 months now. This system is so broken 🤬
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Adriana Cohn
I found a way to actually get someone on the phone at EDD. I used this site's (claimyr.com) calling tool that dials the phone menu, stays on hold, waits for a live agent to pick up, then sends the call to my phone. It does cost $20, but it works. Here's a video about it: https://youtu.be/Ize0EkN4HDI
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Jace Caspullo
Sounds too good to be true. Has anyone else tried this?
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Melody Miles
20 bucks? Thats kinda steep for just a phone call...
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Adriana Cohn
I get the skepticism, but it seriously saved me weeks of frustration. Worth every penny imo
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Nathaniel Mikhaylov
Can confirm, I used it too. Got through in like an hour when I'd been trying for weeks
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Eva St. Cyr
have you tried going to ur local edd office? sometimes face-to-face works better than dealing w/ the phone/online stuff
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Kristian Bishop
Back pay is possible but it's not automatic. You'll need to request it specifically once your identity is verified. Make sure to document EVERYTHING. Dates you filed, confirmation numbers, etc. You'll need all that info when you talk to them.
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Aaron Boston
AuthorThanks for the tip! I'll start gathering all that info now. Better late than never I guess 😅
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Kaitlyn Otto
am i the only 1 who thinks its ridiculous we have to jump thru all these hoops just to get the benefits we're entitled to? 🤔 the whole system needs an overhaul
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Axel Far
Preach! 🙌 It's like they make it difficult on purpose
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Jasmine Hernandez
Totally agree. It's a full-time job just trying to get unemployment benefits!
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Luis Johnson
Pro tip: if u can, try calling right when they open. I got thru after only 20 min on hold that way
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Ellie Kim
What time do they open?
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Luis Johnson
8am Pacific Time, Mon-Fri
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Fiona Sand
idk if this helps, but I had success emailing my state representative. They have staff dedicated to helping with EDD issues. Might be worth a shot!
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Andre Dubois
I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Been stuck in identity verification limbo for about 2 months. What's really frustrating is that I keep getting different answers from different reps about what documents they need. One person told me to upload my passport, then the next person said they needed a driver's license AND birth certificate. It's like they're making it up as they go along! Has anyone had success with the ID.me verification process? I've heard mixed things about it but wondering if it's faster than the traditional route.
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Nia Thompson
I feel your pain! The inconsistent info from different reps is the worst part. I actually just went through ID.me verification last month and it was way faster than the traditional route - took about 3 days vs weeks of back and forth with regular EDD verification. Just make sure you have good lighting when you take the selfie with your ID, that seemed to be the main thing that tripped people up. Hope this helps!
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Yuki Ito
Just want to add my experience to hopefully help others going through this nightmare! I was stuck in identity verification hell for about 3 months last year. What finally worked for me was a combination of several strategies mentioned here: 1. Used the ID.me route (much faster than traditional verification) 2. Called right at 8am on weekdays and specifically asked for Tier 2 3. Kept detailed notes of every interaction 4. Sent documents via BOTH online portal AND fax The breakthrough came when I got a Tier 2 rep who actually cared and walked me through exactly what was missing from my file. Turns out they had marked my utility bill as "unclear" but never told me - I had to upload a different one. Once everything was verified, I got ALL my backpay in one lump sum covering 14 weeks. It was a huge relief! The key is persistence and using multiple channels. Don't rely on just one method. Also pro tip: screenshot EVERYTHING in your UI Online account. Dates, confirmation numbers, document upload receipts - all of it. You'll need this info later and the system sometimes "loses" things. Stay strong everyone, it's frustrating but you will get through this! 💪
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Andrew Pinnock
This is exactly the kind of detailed breakdown I needed to see! Thank you so much for sharing your experience Yuki. I'm definitely going to try the ID.me route - seems like multiple people have had success with it being faster. The tip about screenshotting everything is gold too, I've already had issues with the system "losing" my document uploads. 14 weeks of backpay must have been such a relief! Gives me hope that all this waiting and frustration will eventually pay off. Really appreciate you taking the time to write out all these steps! 🙏
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Sophia Gabriel
I'm dealing with the same identity verification nightmare right now - been stuck for about 5 weeks and feeling so frustrated! Reading through everyone's experiences here is actually really helpful though, especially knowing that backpay IS possible once everything gets sorted out. I've tried calling multiple times but keep getting different answers from different reps. One person told me my documents were fine, then another said they needed additional verification. It's like they're not even looking at the same file! Has anyone had success with the appeal process if your initial identity verification gets denied? I'm worried I might need to go that route and want to be prepared. Also thinking about trying that ID.me option that several people mentioned - seems like it might be worth a shot at this point. Thanks to everyone sharing their tips and timeline experiences. It's rough going through this but at least we're all supporting each other! 🤞
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