Do I need to create an ID.me account for NY unemployment claims in 2025?

Yes, you definitely need to create an ID.me account now. NY unemployment requires it for identity verification before you can access your benefits. It's been mandatory since late 2024 for all new claims. The process takes about 15-20 minutes where you'll need to upload your ID (driver's license or passport), take a selfie video, and verify your SSN. Make sure you have good lighting for the facial recognition part - that's where most people run into issues.

yep its required now. i did mine last month. not a big deal just have ur drivers license ready and they make u take a selfie. whole thing took like 10 mins tops

I HATE this ID.me garbage!!! Had to do it last month and it took me FOUR TRIES to get through the verification. First my internet connection was too slow, then my license was "unreadable" (it was PERFECTLY clear), then the facial recognition kept failing!!! The whole thing is a JOKE and just another way to make it harder to get benefits we DESERVE!! The whole ID.me system is probably just collecting our data to sell!!!!

I created mine back in January when I had a partial unemployment claim. The website is kinda glitchy but once you get through it works fine. Just wondering - did anyone have to wait a long time after the ID.me verification before your account was actually approved? Mine took almost a week before I could access my benefits dashboard.

After trying to reach the NY unemployment office for THREE DAYS with no luck (always busy signals or disconnections), I used a service called Claimyr that got me through to an agent in about 20 minutes. The agent confirmed that ID.me is absolutely required now - no exceptions - and walked me through the process. If you're having trouble with ID.me or need immediate help, check out their video demo at https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE or go to claimyr.com. Seriously saved me hours of frustration.

To answer your original question: Yes, ID.me is mandatory for all NY unemployment claims in 2025. The system was implemented to reduce fraud and streamline verification. Here are some tips for a smooth ID.me setup: 1. Use a desktop/laptop rather than a mobile device 2. Have your government ID and Social Security card ready 3. Complete the process in a well-lit area with minimal background noise 4. Use a secure, private internet connection 5. Allow camera and microphone permissions if prompted Once verified, your ID.me account links directly to your NY unemployment profile. If you're concerned about privacy, ID.me is FedRAMP certified and complies with NIST digital identity guidelines, meaning they maintain strict data security standards.

My sister works at the DOL call center and she said they get SO many calls about ID.me issues. She recommends using Chrome browser and making sure your webcam is working properly before starting. Also don't try to rush through it - take your time and read each step carefully.

Update: I went ahead and created the ID.me account today. It wasn't as bad as I expected! Took about 15 minutes total. The facial recognition worked on the second try. Now I'm just waiting for it to link to my unemployment account. Thanks everyone for the help and advice!

Just want to add that if you run into any issues during the ID.me verification process, don't panic! I had to try 3 times because my lighting was too dim the first two attempts. The key things that helped me were: 1) Making sure I was facing a window for natural light, 2) Removing my glasses, and 3) Speaking clearly during the video selfie part. Also, if the automated verification fails, you can request a video call with a live agent - it takes longer but they're very helpful and patient. The whole system might seem intimidating at first, but it's really just there to protect everyone from fraud. Good luck with your claim!

Just wanted to share my recent experience since I went through this whole process last week. The ID.me verification is definitely required - there's no way around it. I was nervous about it too, but it's actually pretty straightforward once you get started. A few things that helped me: I did it on my laptop instead of phone (much easier), made sure my driver's license wasn't expired (they're strict about that), and did the verification during daytime when I had good natural lighting. The facial recognition part worked on my first try, but I know some people have had to retry that step. One thing to note - after you complete ID.me, it can take 1-2 business days for it to fully sync with your NY unemployment account, so don't worry if you don't see immediate access. Overall the whole thing took me about 20 minutes and now I can access my benefits dashboard without any issues. Hope this helps ease some of your concerns!

I went through the ID.me process about 6 weeks ago when I first filed, and honestly it wasn't nearly as scary as I thought it would be. Yes, it's absolutely mandatory now - there's no alternative verification method. I was also hesitant about uploading my personal documents, but ID.me is actually used by tons of government agencies (IRS, VA, Social Security, etc.) so they have pretty robust security measures in place. My biggest tip: do it on a computer/laptop if possible rather than your phone. The camera quality is usually better and the interface is easier to navigate. Also, have your driver's license or state ID ready, make sure it's not expired, and find a spot with good lighting. The whole thing took me about 12 minutes once I actually started. After verification, it took about 36 hours for my unemployment account to fully activate, and then I was able to start my weekly certifications. Don't stress too much about it - millions of people have gone through this same process successfully!

I just went through this exact same process two weeks ago and wanted to share what worked for me! Yes, ID.me is 100% required now - no exceptions. I was super anxious about it too, especially after reading horror stories online, but it was actually much smoother than expected. Here's what made the difference for me: I used my desktop computer (not my phone), did it in the afternoon with plenty of natural light from my living room window, had my driver's license ready, and most importantly - I didn't rush through it. The facial recognition worked on my first try, and the whole verification took about 18 minutes. After completing ID.me, it took exactly 2 days for my NY unemployment account to become fully active. One thing I wish someone had told me: save your ID.me login credentials somewhere safe because you'll need them every single time you access your benefits. Also, if you wear glasses regularly, keep them on during the selfie portion - I almost took mine off but read that it's better to look natural. You've got this!

I went through the ID.me verification process just last month and wanted to share some additional tips that might help! Yes, it's absolutely mandatory now - no way around it. The process itself isn't too bad once you know what to expect. A few things that really helped me: 1) Clear your browser cache before starting, 2) Close all other browser tabs to free up memory, 3) Make sure your webcam drivers are up to date, and 4) have a backup form of ID ready just in case (passport if you have one). The lighting advice everyone's giving is spot on - I did mine around 2 PM near a big window and it worked perfectly. One thing I didn't see mentioned yet: if you have a really common name, the system might take a bit longer to verify you're the right person, so don't panic if it seems to be processing longer than expected. Also, once you're done with ID.me, bookmark the NY DOL login page because sometimes the redirect from ID.me can be slow. The whole thing took me about 25 minutes including one retry on the facial recognition part. Hang in there - it's just one hurdle and then you're good to go with your claim!