Digital ID Project

Digital ID Framework

The California Department of Technology (CDT) is responsible for implementing the Digital ID Framework, a way to prove who you are in the online world. To facilitate online identification and eligibility verification, CDT is developing tools that make it easier for people in California to access government services. We also develop policy and guidance that helps other State departments enhance their own digital service offerings.

California’s Digital ID project strives to provide every eligible person with easy, secure, privacy-preserving access to all of California’s digital government services.

Access California

Access California will provide people in California with easy, secure, privacy-preserving ways to access all of California’s digital government services. This service allows people to opt-in to use digital platforms for identification and eligibility verification. Access California also supports state and local agencies in reducing administrative costs to provide equitable, inclusive, and secure access to government benefit programs.

California Identity Gateway

The California Identity Gateway ensures information flows are secure, and that no state agency stores more personally identifiable information than is strictly necessary. As of June 2025, the Identity Gateway can verify applicants’ identity, age, and veterans status, and integrates with Login.gov and the Department of Veterans Affairs. As a proxy for income, the Identity Gateway is also integrated with CalFresh to verify enrollment.

In addition, CDT expects to add additional sources of financial data such as credit score and income to the list of attributes that can be verified. Eventually, CDT envisions that all major identity attributes required to enroll in all major California state benefits programs can be verified using the Identity Gateway. (Explore how the Identity Gateway works)

Get in touch with the program to learn more