Does verifying ID online automatically apply for ny unemployment benefits?

No, identity verification is just the first step. You still need to actually file a claim. Look for the "File A Claim" or "Apply for Benefits" button - it should be somewhere on your dashboard after you log in. If you can't find it, try going directly to https://unemployment.labor.ny.gov/login instead of just ny.gov.

After struggling with this exact same issue for days, I found a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected with an actual human at unemployment. Saved me hours of frustration and got my application processed correctly. Talking to an agent got my benefits released so much faster than I expected. They also have a helpful video explaining how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE

ID.me is just the identity verification part. You 100% need to submit an actual claim. The whole process is like 6-7 steps and ID verification is just step 1. The NY system is super confusing compared to other states I've used before.

Listen, I made the EXACT same mistake when I got laid off in September. IDme is just to prove your identity. You still need to go into the DOL portal and actually apply for benefits. Then you need to do the weekly certifications to get paid. Dont wait!! Every week you delay is money you wont get back!!!!

NO NO NO! IDme just verifies you are who you say you are. You absolutely need to submit a claim. Go to labor.ny.gov, sign in, and look for the application section. You need to submit your work history, reason for separation, etc. Then after approval you have to certify weekly to get benefits. The whole system is designed to be confusing so people miss out on benefits they deserve tbh.

Adding on to what others have said - make sure you have your employment history for the last 18 months ready before you start the application. You'll need the exact start/end dates for each job, employer contact info, and your reason for leaving each position. The application times out after like 15 minutes of inactivity so have everything ready to go.

The NY unemployment system is a hot mess 🔥💩 on purpose i swear. Here's a step by step of what you need: 1. Create NY.gov account (done) 2. Verify ID through ID.me (done) 3. Actually FILE for unemployment - this is a separate process 4. Complete all questionnaires they send 5. Wait for approval (can take 2-6 weeks currently) 6. Start weekly certifications 7. If there are issues, you'll need to talk to an agent For #7, good luck getting through on the phone. I tried for 3 weeks before using claimyr.com which got me a callback from an actual agent. Talking to someone directly got my claim unfrozen immediately. The whole system seems designed to make people give up.

i made this exact mistake. verification doesnt = application. u need to go to labor.ny.gov and look for the apply for benefits button. its not the same as the verify identity part AT ALL. wasted 2 weeks thinking i was done smh

You 100% need to file a seprate claim after ID verification! Also, once you finally get approved, dont forget you have to CERTIFY every week or you wont get paid. I learned that the hard way and missed out on 3 weeks of payments because I didn't realize certification was a seprate weekly process. The whole system is confusing af.

Your friend is right unfortunately. I went through this back in November. The ID.me part is just to prevent fraud. You still need to do the actual application which is like 7 pages of questions about your employment history, reason for leaving, etc. It's a whole separate process.

Sorry, they definitely donot link those two systems. ID verification is just to prove your identity before you can access the application system, but it doesn't auto-submit anything for you. This is by design to make it harder to get benifits 🙄 Welcome to the nightmare that is NY unemployment.

Just to add to the chorus - no, ID.me just confirms your identity. You need to file an actual claim. After you finish filing, you'll probably have a 1-2 week waiting period before any money arrives, so get on it ASAP.

I messed this up too lol. Had to go back and do the actual application after thinking I was done with just the ID part. You have to actually click through to the unemployment portal from NY.gov and file a claim. It takes about 30-45 minutes to complete if you have all your info ready.

The NY unemployment system is deliberately complicated to prevent people from getting benefits. It's been this way for YEARS. Identity verification through ID.me is just the security checkpoint - you still need to file an actual claim. Sorry you're dealing with this!

Just an FYI - after you do apply (which yes, is separate from ID verification), don't be surprised if your claim gets flagged for additional verification. Mine was and I couldn't get any benefits for 6 weeks until I could talk to someone. The phone lines are impossible to get through on, I had to use claimyr.com to get a callback from an agent. Frustrating but it finally got resolved.