ID.me proof of residency issue with NY unemployment - only have PO Box
I'm completely stuck trying to verify my identity through ID.me for my NY unemployment claim. The system is asking for proof of residency documents but I only use a PO Box for my mail - I don't have any bills or documents with my physical address on them. Has anyone else run into this problem? What documents did you end up using? My claim is on hold until I can verify and I'm getting really worried about missing payments.
16 comments
Join the conversation
Andrew Pinnock
same thing happened to me last month. do u have a bank statement? they accepted mine even tho the address was abbreviated weird. or a lease agreement?
0 coins
Ella Lewis
•I do have a bank statement but it also shows my PO Box. I rent a room from my cousin and don't have a formal lease. This is so frustrating!
0 coins
Brianna Schmidt
ID.me has multiple options for residency verification. If you don't have utility bills or lease with your physical address, you can try: 1. Medical bills or explanation of benefits 2. Property tax statement 3. School registration forms 4. Vehicle registration 5. Insurance documents (homeowner's, renter's or auto) Also, their help section mentions if you truly don't have ANY of these documents, you can request a video call verification where a "trusted referee" can help with alternative verification methods.
0 coins
Alexis Renard
•The video call option is what saved me! After struggling for 2 weeks with document verification, I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an actual NY unemployment rep who walked me through the ID.me referee process. They actually have a video that shows the whole process: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE - totally worth it since my benefits were stuck for almost a month.
0 coins
Camila Jordan
What about your driver's license? Does that have your physical address? I'm worried I might run into the same problem since I also use a PO box for EVERYTHING and my apartment is month-to-month with no formal lease. I don't want my benefits to get held up when I need to do the ID.me thing. Does anyone know if NY DOL will accept ANY documents with a PO Box??
0 coins
Tyler Lefleur
•Unfortunately, ID.me specifically requires proof of physical residence, not a mailing address. This is a security requirement they're strict about. Your driver's license with physical address works great as one form of ID, but they typically need a second verification source. If you're in a non-traditional housing situation, the video call referee option is your best bet. They can use alternative verification methods when standard documents aren't available.
0 coins
Madeline Blaze
My roomate had this EXACT same issue!!! He ended up going to the DMV and updating his license with his physical address, then got a bank statement sent to that address. Took like 3 weeks tho so not ideal if ur benefits r already on hold
0 coins
Max Knight
this whole ID me thing is RIDICULOUS!!! the entire system is designed to make it IMPOSSIBLE to get benefits we DESERVE!!! i had to upload the same documents FIVE TIMES and then they still denied one of them for no reason!!!! and good luck getting anyone on the phone to help!!!
0 coins
Ella Lewis
•I know, it's been such a nightmare. Did you eventually get verified? What documents ended up working for you?
0 coins
Max Knight
•yeah finally after THREE WEEKS of back and forth!!! ended up using my car insurance and registration both showing same address. still missed 2 payments while waiting!!
0 coins
Tyler Lefleur
A quick update on acceptable documents for ID.me residency verification (as of January 2025): 1. Property documents: lease, mortgage, deed, property tax 2. Financial documents: bank statements, investment statements, credit card bills 3. Insurance documents: health, auto, property 4. Utility bills: water, electric, gas, internet, phone 5. Vehicle documents: registration, insurance card 6. Official mail: government benefits, tax documents The document must be issued within the last 90 days (except annual documents) and show your name and physical address. If you truly don't have any of these, the video referee option is available 24/7, though wait times can be 30+ minutes during peak periods.
0 coins
Ella Lewis
•Thank you for this detailed list. I think I'm going to have to do the video referee option. My car is registered at my old address and literally everything else has my PO Box. I'll update once I try the video call.
0 coins
Andrew Pinnock
oh just remembered - do u have health insurance? my friend used her insurance card with her address on it
0 coins
Ella Lewis
UPDATE: Finally got through the ID verification! For anyone else with only a PO Box, I ended up doing the video call referee option. Had to wait about 45 minutes but the agent was super helpful. I showed them my driver's license, social security card, and explained my PO Box situation. They were able to verify me through their system by asking additional security questions about my history. My claim is now processing and they said I'll receive all the backpay for the weeks I missed while dealing with this. Such a relief!
0 coins
Brianna Schmidt
•Great to hear you got it resolved! The video referee option is definitely their best solution for non-standard situations. For others reading this thread later - make sure you have multiple forms of ID ready for the video call, even if they don't show your physical address. The more verification options you provide, the smoother the process will go.
0 coins
Madeline Blaze
I had to do this for my mom too. She's elderly and doesn't have internet bills or anything in her name. The video call thing worked but she had to wait like 2 hours to talk to someone! That was back in November though so maybe its faster now
0 coins