After a successful four-month pilot with the Department of Veterans Affairs, the government agency will launch its Virtual In-Person Identity Proofing offering – powered by identity verification platform 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,” explained ID.me CEO and founder Blake Hall. “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.”
The new program enables eligible users to access VA services and benefits at VA.gov regardless of circumstances – such as a lack of an address. With Virtual In-Person Identity Proofing, veterans will have the option to complete the identity verification process via a consultation with one of ID.me’s “Trusted Referees” via video chat.
“As part of the digital modernization of the VA, it is important that all veterans can securely access their benefits and services online,” Department of Veteran Affairs CTO Charles Worthington said. “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.”
The VA is the first federal agency to comply with new NIST 800-63-3 Assurance Level 2 standards. These guidelines apply to all federal agencies with citizen-facing applications that require “a high degree of trust.” With Virtual In-Person Identity Proofing, the VA will be able to reach veterans with few financial records, who live overseas, or find the online process challenging and require assistance – all without having to require the veteran to travel to a government facility.
ID.me demonstrated its ID.me Identity Gateway at FinovateSpring 2017. Headquartered in Herndon, Virginia and founded in 2010, ID.me has provided identity verification services for a wide range of public and private entities – from NASA and the U.S. Treasury Department to USAA and Under Armour.
Earlier this year, ID.me announced surpassing the 10 million user milestone. Last fall, the company unveiled its KYC/AML identity verification and ID document solutions, and expanded its offering to enable retailers to readily and accurately verify their customers for a variety of discounts and rewards.
ID.me has raised $46.9 million in funding, and includes FTV Capital, the National Institute of Skilled Training (NIST), and USAA among its investors.