How to complete NY unemployment ID.me verification? Mail-in options?

Unfortunately, NY unemployment now requires digital verification through ID.me - there's no mail-in option for identity verification anymore. What specific error are you getting? Sometimes it works better if you: 1. Use a different browser (Chrome works best) 2. Make sure you're in a well-lit room for the facial scan 3. Try using someone else's newer smartphone if possible 4. Clear your browser cache and cookies before starting If the ID.me verification still fails, you can request a video chat verification through the ID.me website - it's an option that appears after multiple failed attempts.

I HATED the ID.me process!! took me FIVE attempts before it worked!!!! the lighting has to be PERFECT and you can't have ANYTHING in the background. so annoying. try going near a window during daytime but not with direct sunlight hitting your face.

you can use anyone's phone it doesnt matter. just download the id.me app on their phone and login with your info. worked for me when i used my roommates iphone. my android kept crashing.

If the app still gives you trouble, ID.me offers a video chat verification option after multiple failed attempts. You'll need to have your documents ready: 1. Primary ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID) 2. Secondary ID (birth certificate, social security card, etc.) 3. Social Security Number The video chat option appears after you fail the automated verification a couple times - look for the "Verify your identity in a video call" option. They'll have a real person verify your documents.

Update: I tried my daughter's iPhone and it still didn't work! Now I'm getting really desperate because my bills are piling up and I need this unemployment payment. Does anyone know if there's a phone number I can call for help with this? The NYSDOL phone line just puts me on hold forever.

The mail-in option was eliminated in 2025 when NYSDOL fully transitioned to digital verification. Unfortunately, there is absolutely no way around the ID.me process now - it's required by federal security protocols. If you're still struggling after trying different devices, your best options are: 1. Try the video chat verification (appears after 3-5 failed attempts) 2. Visit a NY Career Center in person - they can help with ID.me issues 3. Contact your state representative's office - they often have direct channels to NYSDOL Don't give up on your benefits! The system is designed to be challenging (unfortunately) but there are ways through it.

has anyone else noticed that id.me seems to work better at certain times? i swear when i tried late at night it worked first try but during day it kept failing

FINAL UPDATE: Success! I tried that Claimyr service that someone recommended, and I actually got through to a real person at NYSDOL! They helped me schedule a video verification appointment with ID.me for tomorrow morning. The agent also put a note on my account so my claim won't be delayed further while I'm getting this sorted. Thank you all for your help and suggestions!!

i had similar problems but it was because my license was expired by 2 months. check if your ID is still valid because they're super strict about that now. ended up having to get a new license first before i could finish the id.me stuff.

Just wanted to add that if you're still having issues with ID.me, another thing that helped me was making sure my face was completely centered in the camera frame and holding very still during the scan. Also, remove any glasses or hats if you're wearing them - even if your ID photo has them. The system is super picky about matching exactly what it sees. I also found that having a plain white or light colored wall behind you works better than a busy background. Hope your video appointment goes well tomorrow!

For anyone else struggling with ID.me, I wanted to share what finally worked for me after weeks of failed attempts. I was getting the same "Unable to verify identity" errors on multiple devices. What ended up working was: 1. Using incognito/private browsing mode 2. Disabling any ad blockers or browser extensions 3. Making sure my internet connection was stable (used ethernet instead of WiFi) 4. Taking the photo during mid-morning when lighting was consistent The key thing that made the difference was actually updating my browser to the latest version - apparently ID.me has compatibility issues with older browser versions. Also, if you wear contacts, try taking them out for the verification - I read somewhere that the reflections can interfere with the facial recognition. Hope this helps someone avoid the frustration I went through! The video chat option is definitely worth trying if all else fails.