DS Logon and ID.me are not the same thing, but they serve similar purposes in the context of online identity verification for accessing various government services.

DS Logon

DS Logon (Defense Self-Service Logon) is an identity credential used by the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide secure access to various online services for servicemembers, veterans, and their families. With a DS Logon account, users can access benefits and records related to healthcare, education, and other military-related services.

ID.me

ID.me is a third-party identity verification service used by various government agencies, including the VA, IRS, Social Security Administration, and others, to verify users’ identities. ID.me provides a single sign-on solution that allows individuals to prove their identity online for access to multiple services. It uses various methods of verification, including photo IDs, video chats with representatives, and database checks.

Key Differences

  • Scope: DS Logon is primarily used within the DoD and VA systems, while ID.me is used by a wider range of federal and state government agencies as well as private sector organizations.
  • Management: DS Logon is managed by the DoD, whereas ID.me is a private company providing identity verification services.
  • Functionality: Both provide identity verification and secure access, but DS Logon is more specific to military and veteran services, while ID.me has a broader application across different services.

Both systems aim to provide secure and streamlined access to various online services but are used in different contexts and managed by different entities.