NY unemployment ID.me verification alternatives for elderly parent - any workarounds possible?

I was in the same boat with my dad last month. After trying for days, I found out you can actually request an ID.me video call verification instead of using their app. Go to the ID.me site, start the verification process, and when you get to the facial recognition step, look for a small link that says something like "verify by video call" or "speak with a representative". This lets you schedule a video chat with an actual person who can help with verification without needing all the tech requirements. My dad got verified this way and it was MUCH easier for him.

There's actually another option that many people don't know about. Your mother can request in-person identity verification at her local NY Department of Labor office. She'll need to call the NYSDOL main number and specifically request an in-person identity verification appointment. Make sure she has her claim ID number ready when calling. The advantage is she can bring whatever documents she has (birth certificate, social security card, expired ID plus mail with her name/address, etc.) and a DOL rep can manually verify her identity. They're often more flexible than the automated ID.me system.

this is exactlly why the system is broken!!! making elderly people jump through hoops just to get benefits they DESERVE. My neighbor is 78 and got locked out of her benefits for 8 WEEKS because of ID.me nonsense. She doesn't have internet at home or a smartphone!!! How are seniors supposed to navigate this garbage system????

Have you tried the ID.me help phone number? They have dedicated support for people having trouble with verification. I think it's on their contact page somewhere.

After spending literally 2 weeks trying to get my grandmother through ID.me verification (she kept failing the face scan because of her lighting), I finally got desperate and tried using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an actual NYSDOL agent. It worked surprisingly well - got connected to an agent in about 20 minutes instead of waiting on hold for hours. The agent was able to note on her account that she was having ID.me issues and recommended the exact appointment type we needed. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE The agent told us there's actually a special accommodation process for people who cannot complete ID.me verification due to lack of documents or technology barriers. Your mom might qualify for that.

Another tip: if you do try the video verification route with ID.me, make sure to have ALL possible documents ready, even ones not specifically listed as required. They sometimes accept combinations of documents when the standard ones aren't available. My dad used his Medicare card, an expired passport, a utility bill, and his social security card together, and it worked even though some were expired.

According to the NYSDOL website, as of January 2025, claimants who cannot complete ID.me verification due to technology limitations or lack of required documents can request a "Verification Alternative Process" (VAP) by calling the main claims center. This is an official workaround created specifically for elderly claimants, those without smartphones/computers, and people with limited documentation. The process involves: 1. Calling the NYSDOL claims center 2. Requesting the VAP accommodation 3. Scheduling either a phone interview or in-person appointment 4. Bringing whatever identification documents are available I would recommend documenting all attempts to complete ID.me verification before requesting VAP, as they may ask for this information. Hope this helps your mother!

Just wanted to update that we successfully helped my mother-in-law with this exact issue last week! What finally worked was getting an ID.me video call, but we had to use my computer since she doesn't have one. We sat with her during the call, and the representative was very understanding about her situation. They accepted her Medicare card, social security card, and a bank statement as verification even though she didn't have a current photo ID. So there is definitely some flexibility in the video verification process!

Update: Thanks everyone for your help! We were able to get through to NYSDOL using the Claimyr service someone recommended. The agent set up an in-person appointment for my mom at our local office for the Verification Alternative Process. She's going next Tuesday and bringing all the documents mentioned here. I'll update again after her appointment to let everyone know how it went in case someone else has the same issue.