Can't verify identity for NY unemployment - stuck in pending limbo for 6 weeks
I'm about to lose my mind with this identity verification issue with NY unemployment. I filed my claim 6 weeks ago and it's still showing as 'pending' with a message saying I need to verify my identity. I uploaded my driver's license, social security card, and utility bill to the ID.me portal like they asked. The ID.me site says I'm verified, but when I log into my NY unemployment account, nothing has changed! I've called like 50+ times but can't get through to an actual person. The automated system just tells me my claim is pending. I'm completely out of savings and about to miss rent. Has anyone dealt with this identity verification nightmare? How long did it take to resolve? Is there any way to actually talk to someone who can help?
20 comments
Join the conversation
StarStrider
The ID verification process is definitely a bottleneck right now. I went through something similar in January, but it only took about 3 weeks to clear. Have you checked if there's any specific action item in your online account under the 'Messages' section? Sometimes they need additional documentation but don't make it obvious. Also, make sure you're continuing to certify weekly even while pending - you'll get backpay once approved.
0 coins
Zara Ahmed
•Thanks for responding. Yes, I've been certifying every week religiously. There's nothing in my Messages section except the generic 'Your claim is pending while we review your application.' I'm terrified they lost my documents or something. How did yours finally get resolved?
0 coins
Luca Esposito
omg same thing happening to me!!! 4 weeks and counting... id.me verified but my unemployment still says pending. so frustrating!!!
0 coins
Zara Ahmed
•4 weeks?! This is ridiculous. Have you found any workarounds to reach a human? I'm desperate at this point.
0 coins
Nia Thompson
This is unfortunately common with the current ID verification system. There are actually two separate verification steps: the ID.me confirmation AND an internal NYSDOL review. The internal review is what's holding things up. The most effective approach is to contact your state representative's office - they have special channels to unemployment and can often resolve these issues within days. Also, double-check that your ID.me account email exactly matches your unemployment application email - even slight differences can cause delays.
0 coins
Zara Ahmed
•Wow, I had no idea about the two separate verification steps. My emails definitely match, but I'll try contacting my state rep tomorrow. Do I just call their office and explain the situation?
0 coins
Mateo Rodriguez
I hit the EXACT same wall for almost 2 months. The trick is getting through to a real agent who can manually push your verification through. After trying everything, I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an actual NYSDOL agent in about 20 minutes when I'd been trying for weeks with no luck. There's a short video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE. The agent I spoke with was able to see that my identity was already verified in their system but the claim was stuck in some bureaucratic limbo. They manually released it and I got my first payment 3 days later, plus all the backpay. Saved my life honestly.
0 coins
Aisha Abdullah
•Is this legit?? I'm on week 5 of waiting and I'm getting desperate. Sounds too good to be true to actually reach someone after all my failed attempts!!
0 coins
Mateo Rodriguez
•@anxious_user It's definitely legit. I was skeptical too but I was at my breaking point. They don't deal with your claim directly - they just connect you with an actual NYSDOL agent so you can explain your situation yourself. Made all the difference for me.
0 coins
Ethan Wilson
whys it always gotta be so complicated?? my brother had this happen and he just kept calling at exactly 8:00am and eventually got thru. took him like 8 days of trying tho lol. good luck
0 coins
Luca Esposito
FINALLY got through today!! Called 37 times starting at 7:55am. The agent said my identity was actually verified already but the system hadn't updated my claim status automatically. She fixed it while I was on the phone and said I should see payment in 2-3 business days!!! Keep trying!!!
0 coins
Zara Ahmed
•That's amazing! Congrats! I'm definitely trying the 7:55am trick tomorrow. Did you pick any specific options when the automated system answered?
0 coins
Luca Esposito
•I pressed 2 for existing claim then 1 for payment issues! Fingers crossed for you!!
0 coins
Aisha Abdullah
I've been dealing with the same issue and I'm terrified I'll never get it resolved! My friend waited 9 weeks and then got denied even after verifying through ID.me because they said the photo wasn't clear enough or something?! Did anyone have to do the video verification with ID.me instead of just uploading documents? I'm wondering if that would speed things up? I can't sleep at night worrying about this...
0 coins
StarStrider
•The video verification is actually faster in my experience. If you're still waiting, I'd recommend doing the video call option through ID.me - it's immediate confirmation rather than waiting for document review. Also, call your state assembly person - they can often help resolve these issues quickly.
0 coins
NeonNova
The NYSDOL is a COMPLETE JOKE!!! I went through the EXACT same thing for 7 WEEKS last year. They make it IMPOSSIBLE to talk to anyone. The whole system is DESIGNED to frustrate people so they'll give up and go away. I ended up having to contact my state senator's office to get anything done. This is why our taxes are so high in NY and we get GARBAGE service in return!!!
0 coins
Zara Ahmed
•It really does feel like they make it impossible on purpose. Did your senator's office actually help? How long did it take after you contacted them?
0 coins
NeonNova
•Yes they helped - took about 10 days after I contacted them but that was after SEVEN WEEKS of nothing from unemployment. They have special contacts at NYSDOL that regular people don't have access to. It's totally unfair but it works.
0 coins
Mateo Rodriguez
@OP - any updates? Were you able to get this resolved?
0 coins
Zara Ahmed
•Yes! Finally got it fixed! I used that Claimyr service someone mentioned above and got through to an agent in about 15 minutes. Turns out my identity was verified weeks ago but my claim got stuck in some kind of system limbo where it wasn't proceeding to the next step. The agent was able to push it through manually. Just got all my backpay yesterday - what a relief! For anyone else dealing with this, don't wait 6 weeks like I did - find a way to talk to a real person much sooner.
0 coins