Hatfield advocates for a focused response on unemployment delays

INDIANAPOLIS – State Rep. Ryan Hatfield (D-Evansville) today addressed the rise in identity verification issues that are preventing Hoosiers from filing unemployment vouchers.

The Indiana Department of Workplace Development (DWD) handed the work of verifying identities to a private website – ID.me – in June 2020. The new process requires applicants to have access to both a smart phone and a reliable internet connection. If the process is attempted and fails, calls for assistance can face wait times of 4 to 7 hours.

“In the middle of an unprecedented need for unemployment assistance, a new variable was introduced to the process,” Hatfield said. “And unfortunately, it's only made things worse. Preventing fraudulent claims is vital work, but the solution can't create more problems than it solves.

“The past year has brought great need to thousands of Hoosiers across our state. In times of crisis, they deserve to know that their government is working reliably and efficiently to get them the help they need. I'm calling upon the DWD and Governor Holcomb to take swift action to resolve these issues and will offer my own assistance in any way I can.”

Unemployment applicants in need of assistance on resolving issues should visit https://www.in.gov/dwd/indiana-unemployment/fraud/id.me/ for more information.