ID.me verification stuck - can't reset password on old account from pandemic unemployment
Totally frustrated with the ID verification process right now. I just filed for unemployment yesterday and EDD is asking me to verify my identity, even though I already uploaded my driver's license during the application process. When I clicked the verification link in my email, it turns out I already have an ID.me account from when I collected unemployment during the pandemic (2020-2021). But here's my problem - I can't remember my password, and when I try to reset it, the system wants me to enter the last payment amount I received from EDD! That was literally years ago and I have absolutely no idea what that amount was. I've checked my bank statements but they only go back 18 months online, and I don't have my old payment history saved anywhere. Has anyone else dealt with this? Is there another way to verify my identity without knowing my ancient payment amount? My rent is due in 2 weeks and I NEED to get this claim processed!
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Kelsey Chin
id.me and your edd account are separate things. sounds like your trying to login to your UI Online account, not id.me. for id.me just create a new account with your current email. for UI Online try calling EDD at the technical support number 1-833-978-2511 to reset your account, but good luck getting through!!!
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Vincent Bimbach
•Thanks for clarifying! I think you're right - I'm getting confused between the two systems. I'll try creating a new ID.me account with my current email and see if that works. If I still have trouble with my UI Online account, I'll try that number.
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Norah Quay
The same thing happened to me!!! It's so frustrating. I spent THREE DAYS trying to get through to someone at EDD. They keep you on hold forever and then disconnect you. I finally got through to a rep who told me I could verify my identity through ID.me without needing to access my old UI Online account. But then the rep transferred me and I got disconnected AGAIN 😡😡😡
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Leo McDonald
•This is a common misunderstanding. Let me clarify: ID.me and your UI Online account are completely separate systems. For ID.me verification, you're creating a new secure digital identity that EDD uses to verify you're really you. For your UI Online account access issue, you would need to speak with EDD technical support. To complete ID.me verification: 1. Use the link in your email notification (it should be a direct ID.me link) 2. Create/login to ID.me (not UI Online) 3. Complete the verification steps (uploading documents, selfie, etc.) After successful ID.me verification, EDD will be notified automatically, and you can then work on accessing your UI Online account separately if needed.
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Jessica Nolan
hey buddy i went through this exact same problem last month! the trick is to use the "contact us" form on the EDD website and explain that you need account recovery help. they will send you an email within 48 hours with instructions to reset everything. worked for me!
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Vincent Bimbach
•Really? That's great to know! Where exactly is the contact form? I've been clicking around the EDD website but there are so many different sections and links, I'm getting lost. Is it under a specific tab?
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Angelina Farar
If you have your old EDD customer account number from any paperwork you might have saved, you can use that instead of the payment amount. Also check your email for old EDD notifications - sometimes they include partial payment info that might jog your memory.
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Vincent Bimbach
•I've been digging through my old emails all morning and finally found some EDD payment notifications! It looks like my final payment was $450. Going to try that now and see if it works. Thanks for the suggestion!
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Sebastián Stevens
You're mixing up two different systems here. ID.me is a separate identity verification service from your UI Online account. The ID.me verification won't ask you about previous payment amounts - that's your UI Online account recovery. Here's what you need to do: 1. For ID.me: Complete this process using the link in your email. You may need to create a new ID.me account if you can't access your old one. 2. For UI Online: If you can't remember your last payment amount, call EDD at 1-800-300-5616 for account recovery assistance. They have other ways to verify your identity. Don't delay on this - identity verification is required within 10 days of filing your claim.
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Vincent Bimbach
•Thank you for the detailed explanation! I didn't realize they were completely separate systems. I'll focus on completing the ID.me verification first using the email link, then worry about my UI Online account separately. Really appreciate the clarification!
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Bethany Groves
I was in the exact same situation last month! Tried calling EDD for days with no luck - either got the "we're experiencing high call volume" message or waited on hold for hours only to get disconnected. Then someone told me about Claimyr.com and it saved me so much frustration. It's a service that connects you with an EDD representative much faster than calling yourself. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km Once I got through to a rep, they were able to help me verify my identity and reset my account access without needing my old payment information. The rep also expedited my identity verification which got my claim processed faster.
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Norah Quay
•Does this Claimyr thing actually work?? I've been calling for a week straight and can't get through to anyone!!
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Bethany Groves
•Yes, it definitely worked for me! I was skeptical too, but I was desperate after trying to call on my own for days. Got through to a rep in about 25 minutes when I had been getting busy signals for a week straight before that.
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Jessica Nolan
did u try just making a totally new id.me account with a different email? that might be easiest
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Kelsey Chin
•this won't work. EDD sends the verification link to the specific email you used for your claim. using a different email for id.me would cause problems down the line when they try to match your records.
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Leo McDonald
Let me explain the full process to help you understand what's happening: 1. When you file a new claim, EDD requires identity verification through ID.me 2. The ID.me verification is separate from your UI Online account login 3. For ID.me verification: - Use the specific link EDD sent to your email - Create a new ID.me account if needed (or access your existing one) - Complete the identity verification steps (upload documents, selfie, etc.) 4. For your UI Online account access (which you'll need later to certify for benefits): - If you can't remember your password or last payment amount, call EDD Technical Support at 1-833-978-2511 - They can verify your identity through other means and reset your account Complete the ID.me verification first, as this is the immediate requirement to process your new claim. The UI Online account access can be resolved afterward.
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Vincent Bimbach
•Thank you so much for breaking down the process! I was definitely confusing these two systems. I just completed my ID.me verification using the link in my email - it was actually pretty straightforward once I understood it was separate from my UI Online account. Now I'm going to try calling that technical support number to get my UI Online access sorted. Appreciate your help!
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Norah Quay
The EDD system is ABSOLUTELY BROKEN!!! It's like they deliberately make it impossible to navigate. I had to go through something similar and ended up having to send in paper forms because their online stuff was so messed up. Lost 3 weeks of benefits because of their stupid system. 😡
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Sebastián Stevens
•While the system can certainly be frustrating, there are established processes to resolve these issues. Sending in paper forms actually delays claims processing compared to online methods. If you're having trouble with the online system, calling EDD technical support is almost always faster than reverting to paper forms.
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Vincent Bimbach
UPDATE: I finally got this sorted out! For anyone facing similar issues: 1. I completed my ID.me verification using the link in my email - this was separate from my UI Online account issues 2. For my UI Online access, I used the Claimyr service someone mentioned above to get through to EDD (after trying to call directly for 2 days with no success) 3. The EDD rep was able to verify my identity using my SSN and other personal info, then reset my account access without needing my old payment amount 4. My identity verification has been processed and my claim is now pending payment! Thanks everyone for your help! The key was understanding that ID.me and UI Online are completely separate systems.
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Leo McDonald
•Glad to hear you got it resolved! This is a perfect example of how the process is supposed to work - complete ID.me verification first, then address any UI Online access issues separately. Your experience will definitely help others facing similar situations.
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Jessica Nolan
•awesome!! how long did it take from completing id.me until your claim showed as pending payment?
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Vincent Bimbach
•It took about 3 business days after completing the ID.me verification for my claim status to change from "identity verification needed" to "pending payment." The EDD rep I spoke with said that's pretty typical right now.
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