KDOL locked me out - says I have account but I don't know login. Help!

Ugh, classic KDOL nonsense. 🙄 I swear their system is held together with duct tape and prayers. Have you tried the 'Forgot User ID' or 'Forgot Password' options on their website? Sometimes that actually works.

I had the exact same issue last year! It's a total nightmare. Here's what worked for me: 1. Keep calling the center. I know it sucks, but persistence is key. 2. Try calling right when they open. I had better luck getting through early in the morning. 3. While you're waiting to get through, gather all your employment info, SSN, and any old KDOL correspondence you might have. 4. When you finally talk to someone, explain calmly but firmly that you're locked out and need help regaining access. 5. If the first person can't help, politely ask to speak with a supervisor. It took me about a week of trying, but I finally got it sorted. Hang in there!

Hey, I found a way to actually get someone on the phone without waiting forever. I used this site's (claimyr.com) calling tool that dials the phone menu, stays on hold, waits for a live agent to pick up, then sends the call to my phone. It does cost $20, but it works. Here's the link: https://www.claimyr.com

have u checked if ur old employer filed a claim for u? sometimes they do that without telling u and it can mess things up

This is why we need a complete overhaul of the unemployment system. It's ridiculous that people have to jump through so many hoops just to get the help they're entitled to. 😤

Pro tip: If you're really desperate, try reaching out to your local state representative. Sometimes they can light a fire under KDOL's butt and get things moving.

lol welcome to the club 🎉 we've all been there. KDOL: Keeping Desperate Ordinary Losers (waiting forever) 🤡

Oh man, this exact thing happened to me too! Turns out someone had created an account using my SSN years ago when there was that big data breach. What finally worked for me was going to a local workforce center in person with my ID, birth certificate, and proof of address. They were able to verify my identity and reset everything on the spot. Way faster than trying to get through on the phone! There should be a workforce center locator on the KDOL website. Might be worth a try if you're still stuck in phone hell! 🤞

This is such a frustrating situation, but you're definitely not alone! I went through something similar a few months ago. One thing that helped me was trying to call during off-peak hours - like around 2-3 PM on weekdays when fewer people are calling. Also, make sure you have your driver's license, social security card, and any W-2s or pay stubs from your recent job ready when you do get through. The rep will likely need to verify your identity to unlock your account. If all else fails, definitely try that workforce center suggestion from Carmen - having a real person help you face-to-face can be a game changer. Hang in there, you'll get through this! 💪

This is such a nightmare! I went through something similar last year and it was absolutely maddening. Here's what I learned: definitely try the workforce center route that Carmen mentioned - it's a total game changer. I wasted weeks trying to get through on the phone before someone told me about going in person. The staff there were actually helpful and got me sorted in about 30 minutes. Also, bring MORE documentation than you think you need - I'd suggest your ID, Social Security card, birth certificate, recent pay stubs, and even old tax returns if you have them. The more you can prove who you are, the faster they can unlock your account. And honestly, don't feel bad about being "desperate" - losing your job right before Christmas is rough enough without having to deal with KDOL's broken system on top of it. You've got this! 💪

Hey Justin, I feel for you - dealing with KDOL during the holidays while unemployed is just brutal. 😞 I went through something similar a couple years back and it turned out there was an old account from like 2015 that I had completely forgotten about. Sometimes if you filed even once years ago, the account stays in the system forever. Here's what I'd suggest: definitely try that workforce center approach that Carmen and others mentioned - it really does work better than the phone marathon. But also, while you're gathering documents, try to think back to ANY time you might have applied for unemployment in Kansas, even if it was years ago or you didn't end up needing it. Sometimes we create accounts and then forget about them when our situation changes. Also, if you have any old email accounts, try searching for "KDOL" or "unemployment" - you might find old correspondence that has your user ID. I found mine buried in an old Gmail account from 2016! Keep your head up - this will get resolved, it's just a matter of finding the right person who can actually help you. The system sucks but there are good people working there who want to help once you can get to them. 🤞

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this mess, especially during the holidays! 😔 Just wanted to add another angle to consider - sometimes third-party tax prep services (like H&R Block) will file unemployment claims on your behalf if you had benefits one year, and they might have created an account without you realizing it. It happened to my neighbor last year. Also, if you end up going the workforce center route (which I highly recommend based on what others have said), try calling them first to ask what their busiest days/times are so you can avoid the crowds. Some locations even do appointments now which could save you a lot of waiting around. One more thing - if you're really strapped for cash while dealing with this, don't forget to check if you qualify for emergency food assistance or utility help through local churches or community organizations. I know it's not unemployment benefits, but it might help bridge the gap while you're fighting with KDOL. Hang in there - you WILL get this sorted out! The system is broken but you're not alone in this fight. 💪

Just wanted to jump in here with another potential solution that worked for my sister - she had to contact the Identity Verification Unit directly at KDOL. Turns out they have a separate department that handles cases where accounts might have been compromised or created fraudulently. The regular customer service folks couldn't help her, but once she got transferred to the IV unit, they were able to sort everything out in about a week. The number is buried deep on their website, but if you search for "KDOL Identity Verification" you should find it. They might ask you to mail or fax documents, which is a pain, but at least it's progress! Also worth checking your credit report like Victoria mentioned - if someone did use your SSN fraudulently for unemployment, there might be other accounts you don't know about. Good luck, Justin! This whole situation is infuriating but you'll get through it. 🤞

This is such a common issue and it's absolutely maddening! I went through the exact same thing about 6 months ago. Here's what I wish someone had told me from the start: 1. **Go to a workforce center FIRST** - seriously, skip the phone calls initially. I wasted 3 weeks on hold before someone told me about this option. They can verify your identity in person and unlock your account same day. 2. **Bring EVERYTHING** - ID, Social Security card, birth certificate, recent pay stubs, W-2s, and any old tax documents. Even if they don't need it all, it's better to have too much than too little. 3. **Check old email accounts** - search for "KDOL" or "GetKansasBenefits" in ALL your email accounts, even ones you don't use anymore. You might have created an account years ago and totally forgotten about it. 4. **Document everything** - write down every person you talk to, reference numbers, dates, etc. It helps if you need to escalate. The workforce center route really is a game-changer. I got my account unlocked in 45 minutes after weeks of phone hell. Most centers take walk-ins but calling ahead to check their hours and busy times is smart. Hang in there - losing your job before Christmas is tough enough without KDOL making it worse. You'll get this sorted! 💪

Oh wow, this thread is a goldmine of helpful advice! 🙌 I'm dealing with a similar situation right now (KDOL says I have an account but I can't access it) and I'm definitely going to try the workforce center route tomorrow. The idea of actually talking to a human being in person instead of sitting on hold for hours sounds like heaven right now! Quick question for those who've been to the workforce centers - do they typically have long wait times, or is it usually pretty quick once you're there? I'm trying to plan my day around this. Also, has anyone had success with the Identity Verification Unit that Miguel mentioned? I'm wondering if I should try that route too or just focus on the workforce center first. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it's so helpful to know I'm not alone in this bureaucratic nightmare! 😅

I'm so sorry you're going through this, Justin - losing your job right before the holidays and then getting locked out of the system is just awful! 😔 Based on all the great advice in this thread, it sounds like the workforce center route is definitely your best bet. I'd also suggest checking if you might have filed a partial claim years ago that you forgot about - sometimes people file when they're between jobs or have reduced hours and then completely forget when their situation improves. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that you might want to check if your previous employer filed any kind of claim on your behalf. Some companies will pre-register employees in the system for various reasons, which could explain why there's an account you don't remember creating. Also, while you're dealing with this mess, make sure to document the exact dates you've been trying to file - you might be able to get your benefits backdated to when you first attempted to apply, even if it takes weeks to get the account unlocked. Hang in there - everyone in this thread is proof that this problem does get resolved eventually, even though KDOL makes it way harder than it should be. You've got this! 💪

This whole thread is incredibly helpful! I'm not dealing with this exact issue right now, but I'm bookmarking this for future reference because knowing my luck with KDOL, I'll probably need it someday. 😅 It's amazing how many different solutions people have found - from the workforce center visits to checking old email accounts to contacting the Identity Verification Unit. Really shows how broken the system is that there are so many workarounds needed just to access your own account! Justin, I hope you get this sorted out quickly. The fact that you're dealing with this right after losing your job during the holidays is just cruel. But it sounds like you've got a solid plan now with all the advice from everyone here. Definitely try that workforce center route first - seems like the fastest path to actually talking to a human who can help! 🤞

Hey Justin, I'm really sorry you're dealing with this mess - getting locked out of KDOL right when you need benefits most is incredibly frustrating! 😤 I went through something similar a few months ago and honestly, the workforce center route that everyone's mentioning is absolutely the way to go. I spent two weeks trying to get through on the phone before someone told me I could just walk into a local office. Got it sorted in under an hour once I was there in person. One thing I'd add to all the great advice here - when you go to the workforce center, ask them to print out your account activity history if they can. Sometimes seeing the timeline of when the account was created or last accessed can help you figure out if it was fraud, an old forgotten account, or something your employer did. Also, bring a backup form of ID if you have it (passport, birth certificate, etc.) - sometimes their ID scanners are finicky and having options helps speed things up. The fact that you lost your job right before Christmas and now have to deal with this bureaucratic nightmare is just awful. But hang in there - everyone in this thread is proof that it does get resolved eventually, even though KDOL makes it way harder than it should be. You've got a solid plan now with all the advice here! 💪