ID.me verification keeps failing for husband's EDD claim - how long for video call?
I'm at my wit's end with this ID.me verification for my husband's unemployment claim! I've submitted FIVE different clear documents (driver's license, passport, utility bill, etc.) and the system keeps rejecting them saying they can't verify his identity. Everything has the exact same name and address - crystal clear images too. Now it's telling us to wait for a video call verification, but doesn't say how long that'll take. Does anyone know the current wait time for these ID.me video calls? It's been 3 days already with no contact. Are we talking days or weeks here? Bills are piling up. Also - is it possible to just go into an actual EDD office in person to verify his identity instead of dealing with this online nightmare? We're in the Sacramento area if that matters. This whole process is so frustrating!
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Logan Stewart
OMG same thing happened to my bf last month!!! The pictures have to be PERFECT or it rejects them. No shadows, no glare, nothing. So annoying!
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Diego Castillo
•I literally took the photos against a white wall with perfect lighting - we even tried different cameras thinking maybe that was the issue. Still rejected! Did your boyfriend eventually get verified?
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Mikayla Brown
The wait time for ID.me video calls is currently running about 5-7 business days based on what I've seen from others in the community. Unfortunately, you can't go to an EDD office for ID.me verification - they're separate systems. ID.me is a third-party verification service that EDD contracts with, not part of EDD itself. A few tips that might help: 1. Make sure the address on all documents exactly matches what's on the EDD application (even small differences can cause rejection) 2. Try using different documents if possible (social security card, birth certificate) 3. Make sure you're using the correct email that's registered with the EDD account 4. Try a different browser or device for uploading If you've already been placed in the video call queue, unfortunately you just have to wait. They'll send an email when it's your turn.
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Diego Castillo
•Thank you for the detailed response! 5-7 business days is better than I feared but still frustrating. We double-checked and all addresses match perfectly. I guess we'll just have to wait for the video call. Is there any way to check our place in the queue or just wait for the email?
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Sean Matthews
i had the EXACT same problem!!! waited 9 days for a video call and then the call dropped halfway through and had to start all over again. the whole system is designed to make us give up i swear
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Diego Castillo
•9 days?! That's terrible! I'm sorry that happened to you. Did you eventually get through on the second try? I'm worried about technical issues during the call now too.
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Ali Anderson
Have you tried using Claimyr to get through to an EDD rep? They won't solve the ID.me issue directly, but they can often provide status updates on your claim and sometimes expedite things. I was stuck in verification hell for weeks until I used them to get through to a tier 2 rep who could actually see what was happening with my claim. Their site is claimyr.com and they have a demo video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km At least talking to a real person at EDD might give you some peace of mind about where things stand while waiting for the ID.me video call.
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Zadie Patel
•I tried Claimyr last month for a different issue and it actually worked! Got through to a rep in like 15 minutes when I'd been trying to call for days. But just so OP knows - the EDD rep probably can't do much about ID.me specifically since it's a separate company, but they might be able to put notes on the claim about the verification delay.
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A Man D Mortal
I work at a career center and see this ALL THE TIME. The ID.me system is incredibly picky. One thing nobody mentioned - if your husband has a credit freeze with any of the credit bureaus, that will cause automatic rejection no matter how perfect your documents are. They run a soft credit check as part of verification. Also, to directly answer your question about EDD offices - you CAN go to an America's Job Center in person for general EDD help, but they don't handle ID.me verification directly. They might be able to help with other aspects of the claim though. Regarding the video call wait times, they fluctuate based on volume. Right now they're running about a week, but it can be longer. Make sure your husband keeps his phone nearby and notifications on - they'll only try to reach him once or twice before putting him back in the queue.
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Diego Castillo
•Thank you! We never thought about the credit freeze - he does have one with Experian after that data breach last year. Could that really be the issue? I'll have him temporarily lift it right away. Really appreciate the insight!
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Logan Stewart
My bf got through after like 10 days. The video call was actually super quick once it happened - like 5 mins. But yeah the waiting SUCKED.
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Declan Ramirez
I've helped numerous clients with ID.me issues, and there are a few important things to know: 1. The credit freeze issue mentioned above is 100% accurate - it's one of the most common reasons for rejection even with perfect documents 2. The name on your documents must EXACTLY match what's on the EDD application (including middle names/initials) 3. The video verification typically takes 4-10 days currently, but they're understaffed and it can take longer 4. You cannot use a PO box address for ID.me verification 5. Sometimes documents get rejected because of invisible watermarks or security features that interfere with their scanning system 6. Once verified with ID.me, it can take an additional 48-72 hours for that verification to transmit to EDD systems One workaround: if your husband hasn't already created his own ID.me account separate from the EDD process, sometimes that helps. Go directly to ID.me (not through EDD), create and verify an account there first, then use that to log into EDD.
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Diego Castillo
•This is incredibly helpful information! We're going to try lifting the credit freeze today and then try the separate ID.me account approach. Thank you so much for such a detailed explanation. I'll update here if we get it resolved!
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Emma Morales
the whole system is a JOKE!!! ive been dealing with edd for 3 months now. first the id.me thing then they said i had to do a phone interview which got rescheduled TWICE and now im in some penalty week thing that nobody can explain to me. they just want us to give up
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Mikayla Brown
•Penalty weeks are completely different from ID verification issues. They're applied when EDD determines there was a false statement or withholding of information on a previous claim. You should receive documentation explaining why they were applied. It's important not to confuse different EDD issues as they have different resolution processes.
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Diego Castillo
UPDATE: We got through!!! Turns out it WAS the credit freeze causing the problem. We temporarily lifted it with all three bureaus yesterday morning, and within hours got an email from ID.me saying we could try again. Submitted the exact same documents as before and it went through immediately! For anyone else struggling with this: CHECK YOUR CREDIT FREEZES! Thank you all for the help and suggestions. Now fingers crossed the actual EDD claim processes without more issues...
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A Man D Mortal
•So glad to hear it worked out! This is exactly why I mentioned the credit freeze - it's such a common issue but very few people realize it. And thanks for coming back to update - it really helps others who might be facing the same problem. Good luck with the rest of the claim process!
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