A new program goes into effect today to help speed up the verification process for Louisianans filing for unemployment. Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary Ava Cates said ID.me will help ensure the correct person collects benefits.
“It’s a mobile platform and an individual will put in their personal identification information and it talks to other systems and verifies that right away, and in most cases, it’s five to ten minutes,” said Cates.
Cates said those new to filing and existing claimants transitioning from one type of unemployment to another will be required to use the new verification process.
“And eventually we’ll have everyone to go through that. We have asked most individuals to upload their ID, and a selfie, and a social security card,” said Cates.
The identification process is a federal requirement for COVID-related unemployment claims and Cates said don’t be surprised if you have to resubmit verification documents again in the future. She said the process also protects claimants.
“You get a tax form, a 1099-form, for unemployment benefits, so we don’t want anyone to get that form and not have received those benefits,” said Cates.
A recent audit indicated more than 100-thousand individuals received unemployment benefits they were not entitled to from LWC.
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