Government identity assurance programme looks at more flexible system in tax credits trial
A trial has begun of alternative identity account that could be used as part of the government’s Verify identity assurance service.
The basic identity account, also known as LOA1, has been introduced to HM Revenue & Customs’ tax credits service on a test basis alongside the existing verified identity accounts (LOA2).
A blogpost on the move says the new accounts could be used for people for whom it is not possible to verify their identity digitally, due to a lack of evidence such as a passport, driving licence or bank account.
They can set up an LOA1 but whenever wanting to use a service will be asked to answer extra security questions. This would be sufficient for them to carry out a relatively low risk task, such as saving and returning to an online form.
The trial is taking place as part of the public beta phase of the Verify roll out, and the programme team is looking to make improvements based on user feedback and data.
It has claimed that 140,000 people have now been verified and that the service is being used by 5,000 per day. It is currently being used for 11 government online services with three more to join before the end of the year and is scheduled to move from beta to live by April 2016.
