ID.me Launches Virtual In-Person Identity Proofing with VA to Increase Veteran Access to Online Services

MCLEAN, Va., Feb. 12, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Department of Veteran Affairs today announced the launch of Virtual In-Person Identity Proofing. ID.me provides the technology for the program. The new process allows all eligible users to access VA services and benefits at VA.gov regardless of circumstance. Whereas certain Veteran populations like the homeless or sick might have been blocked from online identity verification for various reasons, such as lack of an address, all Veterans now have the option to complete online identity verification by interacting with trained ID.me personnel, "Trusted Referees," via video chat.

The new Virtual In-Person Identity Proofing option is compliant with the NIST Identity Assurance Level (IAL) 2 and Authenticator Assurance Level (AAL) 2 standards. VA is the first federal agency to comply with the new NIST 800-63-3 Assurance Level 2 standards. Federal agencies are expected to be in compliance with NIST guidelines for all citizen-facing applications that require a high degree of trust.

The video-based proofing solution has been in pilot for the past four months, helping hundreds of veterans representative of populations who have difficulty verifying their identity online without assistance. For example, the new process helped a 72 year-old veteran whose credit file contained a transposed social security number as well as a veteran living in a country overseas where verifying identities in records is more difficult. A quick video conference session with an ID.me Trusted Referee, an individual who is certified to perform identity proofing, enabled that veteran to complete identity proofing without any further hassle.

"When we realized some Veteran populations had no way to prove their identity online, we knew we had to design a solution that could grant members of those populations the access they needed without sacrificing security," said Blake Hall, CEO and Founder of ID.me. "Using Virtual In-Person Identity Proofing, we can serve the 19 year-old active duty service member with a thin credit file, the 82 year-old veteran who struggles with technology, and the 35 year-old military spouse living internationally. As a former soldier, I can say that no man left behind is one of the most important promises service members make to one another. This collaboration between VA and ID.me ensures that no identity is left behind. We are proud to lead the way."

While traditional online identity proofing has helped millions of Veterans access VA services, some populations struggle with the online process. Now, individuals who aren't present in financial records, who live internationally, or who simply need assistance, can complete identity proofing with a trained Trusted Referee via a simple video conference session instead of having to go to a government facility in-person.

"As part of the digital modernization of the VA, it is important that all Veterans can securely access their benefits and services online," Charles Worthington, Chief Technology Officer to the Department of Veteran Affairs. "Adding Virtual In-Person Identity Proofing is a critical step towards making sure that no Veteran is left behind while keeping VA in compliance with the latest NIST standards."

About ID.me

ID.me simplifies how individuals prove and share their identity online. ID.me's next-generation identity platform provides identity proofing, authentication, and group affiliation verification for organizations across sectors. Our technology meets the highest federal standards for online identity proofing and authentication and is approved as a NIST 800-63-3 IAL2 / AAL2 conformant Credential Service Provider by the Kantara Initiative.

ID.me is used by more than 10MM individuals and 350 partners, including federal and state government agencies, healthcare organizations, financial institutions, retailers, and nonprofits. http://www.id.me

SOURCE ID.me

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