How to reset mother's maiden name for NYS Department of Labor unemployment account login
I'm locked out of my unemployment account because I can't remember what I put for my mother's maiden name security question. I think I might have used her married name by mistake when I first set up the account last year. Now I can't get into my my.ny.gov account to file my weekly claim. Has anyone figured out how to reset this security question? I've tried calling but the wait times are crazy and I keep getting disconnected.
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Mae Bennett
You'll need to use the account recovery option on the my.ny.gov login page. There should be a link that says 'Forgot your security answers' or something similar. You'll have to verify your identity using other information like your SSN and employment history.
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Pedro Sawyer
•I tried that but it's asking for information I don't have access to right now. Is there another way?
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Beatrice Marshall
same thing happened to me!! i put my mom's current last name instead of her maiden name and got locked out for weeks. had to go through the whole identity verification process
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Melina Haruko
If the online recovery isn't working, you might need to call the NYS Department of Labor identity verification line. I know the regular unemployment line is swamped, but there's usually a separate number for account access issues. Check the my.ny.gov help section for the specific number.
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Dallas Villalobos
•Getting through to anyone at NYS Department of Labor by phone is nearly impossible these days. I've been trying for weeks to resolve my adjudication issue and can never get through. Someone mentioned using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to help get connected to agents - they have a demo video at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Might be worth trying for account recovery issues too.
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Pedro Sawyer
•Thanks, I'll check that out. I'm getting desperate here since I need to file my weekly claim.
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Reina Salazar
Why do they make these security questions so confusing?? Half the time people don't even know if they should use maiden name or married name. The whole system is a mess.
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Saanvi Krishnaswami
•Totally agree! I spent 3 hours on hold just to reset mine last month.
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Mae Bennett
Pro tip for anyone setting up new accounts - write down EXACTLY what you enter for security questions and keep it somewhere safe. I learned this the hard way after getting locked out of multiple government accounts over the years.
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Manny Lark
I had the exact same issue! What worked for me was going to a local Department of Labor office in person with my ID and Social Security card. They were able to reset my security questions on the spot. I know it's a pain to take time off work, but it was faster than waiting weeks for phone support. Check the DOL website for office locations and hours - some have walk-in hours for account issues.
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