Identification for Everyone

FreeWorld

Identification for Everyone

ID4E eliminates barriers to employment at scale by providing returning citizens with free, automated assistance to receive identification documents

Austin, TX, USA

USA

Nonprofit

—

lives, only to face immediate barriers to employment. Many barriers can be traced back to a root problem: returning citizens don’t have the basic identification documents required for legal employment. Over 60% of returning citizens are released from prison without access to a single vital document such as a photo ID, birth certificate, or Social Security Card. A 2022 Bureau of Prisons report revealed that just 9% leave prison with all three. These numbers persist despite 20 states having laws requiring returning citizens to have access to vital documents upon release. Attempting to obtain ID documents on one's own can be slow, confusing, and expensive, especially for those reentering society with limited resources and no source of income. Without identification, access to stable employment is effectively shut off. In turn, the inability to secure stable work perpetuates cycles of poverty and incarceration. ID4E helps returning citizens access vital documents quickly and easily through a user-friendly, automated app. Our solution eliminates a critical barrier to employment at scale, helping returning citizens to thrive outside of prison.

ID4E is a simple and free solution to help returning citizens obtain birth certificates and social security cards. The process starts with a single click. Users choose the document they need, and ID4E guides them step-by-step. For birth certificates, users can easily schedule a 15 to 30-minute call with a trained FreeWorld team member. All that’s required of users is basic information like full name, date of birth, and place of birth. Our team processes the information and orders the birth certificate in real-time. The document is then shipped directly to the individual's residence. For Social Security cards, ID4E offers a fully automated, 24/7 option. The platform asks a few questions to confirm eligibility, then guides the user through the fastest available method—applying directly through SSA.gov. If the individual prefers to apply in person, they can enter their zip code to locate the nearest Social Security office. Users also have the option to connect with a team member for personalized support. Our platform works to remove complexity and make a frustrating, time-consuming process fast and intuitive, even for individuals with limited digital literacy.

ID4E serves formerly incarcerated individuals across all 50 states. Nationally, the majority of people impacted by the criminal justice system are BIPOC, and come from low-income backgrounds. Two-thirds of individuals detained in jails report earning less than $12,000 annually before arrest (Alexander, The New Jim Crow, 2012). The average FreeWorld participant is a parent released from prison with no assets and more than $15,000 in debt. 38% of the individuals we serve don’t even have access to a bank account. Without proper identification, the racial and socioeconomic inequalities of mass incarceration only worsen. Individuals can’t open a bank account, apply for housing, or secure a stable job. ID4E steps in at this crucial moment. We invest in individuals the moment they return home, ensuring they have access to the identification documents needed to build economic stability. From getting a job to accessing financial tools and housing, our solution removes a foundational barrier that too often blocks people from a real second chance. At its core, ID4E ensures that no one is held back simply because they don’t have an ID.