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.

Digital identity innovator ID.me is expanding its segment-specific gated offering, giving retailers the opportunity to provide a diverse range of exclusive discounts across more segments and geographies.

ID.me has been known for providing group affiliation verification for active duty military and veterans, first responders and government employees, as well as teachers and students. The company’s new initiative will enable businesses and organizations to offer their customers and workers targeted, exclusive deals while limiting discount fraud.

“ID.me provides a seamless verification solution that empowers retailers to rapidly verify customer eligibility and give back to vital customer segments, all while driving revenue growth,” ID.me CEO Blake Hall explained.

Tyrone Fiegen, Senior Program Manager, Customer Experience & Loyalty program at Lenovo highlighted the importance of accuracy when it comes to gated offerings. “When we give a targeted discount, it is important that it goes to the right customers and access doesn’t get leaked,” Fiegen said. “Using ID.me’s verification technology, we are confident the right customers are taking advantage of the offer, and as a result, we have been able to offer richer, more attractive discounts.”

Lenovo is the first retailer in Canada to go live with ID.me’s solution. The company is leveraging the technology to provide a 10% discount on ThinkPad laptop computers for students as part of back-to-school season. Lenovo plans to offer a similar discount for active duty military and veterans, as well.

Founded in 2010 and headquartered in McLean, Virginia, ID.me demonstrated its Identity Gateway at FinovateSpring 2017. By verifying identity and group affiliation against the most comprehensive and authoritative data sources available, ID.me’s platform both simplifies the verification process for customers while increasing conversion rates for companies and organizations. ID.me’s technology is used buy more than seven million customers and by leading brands such as Under Armor, LinkedIn, Lenovo, and Ford.

Last month, ID.me announced that it would provide its digital credentialing service to government agencies and healthcare organizations as a white-label offering starting in 2019. Named to the One World Identity’s top 100 Influencers list in February, ID.me began the year teaming up with Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. (VFW) to enable veterans to access VA benefits via Vets.gov, as well access to military discounts at more than 200 retailers.

ID.me has raised more than $46 million in funding from investors including FTV Capital, USAA, and the National Institute of Skilled Training (NIST).