California EDD Director Sharon Hillard informed Gov. Newsom regarding the agency’s immediate response to address the problems and to expedite new claimant payments.
California EDD to implement a new identity verification tool
The agency said it will implement ID.me, a new identity verification tool to strengthen the application process to prevent fraud. It will require applicants to upload identifying documents and a self-photo. It will validate the documents through multiple data sources at the applications point to stop scammers earlier than its current follow-up process involving notices through the mail.
To reduce the backlog, it will assign its most experienced staff to work on the oldest and most complex claim. It will redirect new staff to process mails, emails, and to call claimants for additional information to resolve their cases. Its goal is to reach zero backlogs by January 2021.
“I thank the Strike Team for their expertise and diligence in helping us closely examine our processes and challenges during this historic pandemic. We agree with the team’s recommendations and have already implemented some of them and are quickly adopting others to help eligible Californians receive the valuable financial support they need,” said Hillard in a statement.
