Can I verify my identity for NY unemployment without using ID.me?

Same exact issue here. The ID.me process is a complete nightmare. I tried 5 times and either got stuck in the waiting room forever or had technical issues during the video call. One agent even hung up on me! I ended up calling the ny unemployment office directly (like 50+ times) and finally got through to someone who sent me a form to mail in copies of my documents. Took about 3 weeks to process but it worked.

I found a way around all this frustration! After trying to get through the regular channels for literally 3 weeks, I used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that calls NY unemployment for you and connects you when a rep picks up. Talking to an actual human solved my verification issues in one call - they sent me an email link to upload my docs directly instead of using ID.me. Best money I've ever spent to finally get my benefits flowing again. Check out how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE

The NYSDOL is getting ridiculous with this ID.me requirement! They know it doesn't work half the time but keep forcing people to use it. I had a similar issue and ended up physically going to a NY DOL career center in Rochester. Brought all my docs (SS card, driver's license, birth certificate, 2 pieces of mail) and they helped file a manual verification request. Took about 10 days to process. If you're in Buffalo there should be a career center you can visit.

lmaooo the system is DESIGNED to be impossible 🤡 they hope you'll just give up and go away. ive been trying since february. id.me is a joke - it flagged me for "suspicious activity" bc I was using a vpn (which i forgot was on). after 6 attempts I finally got my account verified but then ny unemployment STILL says im not verified. the whole things a scam tbh

Here's what worked for me, step by step for dealing with this identity verification mess: First, stop wasting time with the broken ID.me system if it's not working for you. There are alternative methods! 1. Call the NY unemployment office directly. To avoid the endless busy signals, I used claimyr.com which got me through to a real person after I spent days trying myself. 2. Once you reach an agent, specifically ask for the "alternative identity verification process" - they won't always mention this exists. 3. You'll need to provide: government ID, social security card or a recent W-2 form, and proof of address (utility bill, lease, etc). 4. They can either email you a secure upload link OR provide a mailing address. 5. If mailing, send COPIES (not originals!) via certified mail so you have proof it was delivered. 6. Keep checking your online account daily and continue certifying weekly even while waiting for verification. 7. Follow up by phone after 7-10 business days if you don't see any updates. The system is deliberately frustrating but don't give up! Your backpay will come through once verified.

This is EXACTLY why i think the whole system is broken on purpose. How convenient that the only verification method they push is some third-party service that barely works... 🤔 I ended up sending a physical letter with my docs to the Albany office AND emailing my state representative who actually helped push it through. Try that route if nothing else works.

Yo this happened to my cousin too. He finally got it sorted by faxing (yes FAXING like its 1998) his documents to the main office. he said the trick is to write your claim # on every single page you fax. might be worth trying if the other options dont work

I don't know if this'll help, but I've found that doing the ID.me verification on a desktop computer using Chrome (not on mobile) in the middle of the night (like 2-3am) is when it's most likely to work. The system gets overloaded during business hours. Took me 8 tries but eventually got through without the video call part.

Call this direct number: 888-209-8124 and then press 9 for fraud/identity issues. Sometimes if you call right at 8:00am when they open you can get through. That's how i finally reached someone who helped me bypass the ID.me garbage. Took about 20 tries though.

its soooo annoying!! I had this same problem and ended up needing my mom to verify my identity for me because my account got locked after too many attempts? somehow that worked even though it makes NO sense. try calling and specifically asking to speak to a tier 2 agent who can help with ID verification issues.

This probably isnt helpful but I just kept trying ID.me over and over - like 12 times total. Finally worked on attempt #13. I found out later that using a different device can sometimes help (I switched from my phone to laptop). Their system is garbage but persistence eventually worked for me.

Anyone else notice how this "identity verification" stuff started right when unemployment numbers were going down? 🤔 It's almost like they're trying to cut people off... Anyway, I drove 2 hours to the nearest DOL office and they gave me a paper form to fill out and copied my documents right there. Took 3 weeks to process but it worked.

the dept of labor is just trash. my friend works there and says they're massively understaffed and the systems are from like 2005. they literally cant handle the volume so they make the verification process impossible on purpose to discourage people.

Try this: call your state assembly person's office!! I was stuck in ID verification hell for almost 2 months. Called my local assembly member, explained the situation, and their office has special contacts at unemployment. They fixed it within 3 days! Seriously - google your district rep and call them.

I went through this exact nightmare last month! After 4 failed ID.me attempts (including one where I waited 6 hours for a video call that never happened), I finally got it resolved. Here's what actually worked: I called my local state senator's office and explained the situation. They have a dedicated person who handles unemployment issues and they were able to get me connected to a "tier 2" agent at NYSDOL who could process manual verification. I had to email scanned copies of my driver's license, social security card, and a recent utility bill directly to them. The whole thing was resolved in about 5 business days. Don't waste more time with ID.me - go straight to your elected representatives. They deal with this stuff all the time and know exactly who to contact. You can find your senator and assembly member on the NY state website by entering your zip code.

I'm dealing with the exact same ID.me verification nightmare right now! Been stuck for 3 weeks and getting really stressed about bills piling up. Reading through all these responses is giving me hope that there are actually ways around this broken system. I'm going to try calling my state rep first since that seems to have the highest success rate, and if that doesn't work I'll look into the Claimyr service that multiple people mentioned. Has anyone tried both approaches to see which one works faster? Also wondering if I should keep trying to get through the regular unemployment phone line while waiting for my rep to respond, or if that's just wasting time at this point. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it's reassuring to know I'm not the only one going through this mess!

I feel your pain on this ID.me verification nightmare! I went through the exact same thing - multiple failed attempts, endless waiting rooms, technical glitches. After reading through all these responses, it's clear the system is fundamentally broken and we all need workarounds. Here's what I learned from my own experience and what others have shared: 1) Contact your state senator/assembly member FIRST - this seems to have the highest success rate and they deal with these issues constantly, 2) If you need to speed things up, try the Claimyr service that multiple people vouched for to actually get through to a human at unemployment, 3) Keep a paper trail of everything and continue certifying weekly no matter what, 4) If all else fails, visit a DOL career center in person with physical documents. The most important thing is DON'T GIVE UP - your backpay will come through once this gets sorted. The system is designed to be frustrating but there are ways around it. Stay strong and keep fighting for what you're entitled to!