NY unemployment ID.me verification keeps rejecting me - what am I doing wrong?

This happened to me too! The EXACT same problem. I was losing my mind trying to figure it out. Turns out my license had expired by like 2 weeks and I hadn't even noticed! Double check all your documents are current. Also make sure your selfie is in good lighting with no glasses, hat, etc.

After being stuck with this same issue for almost a month, I finally found a solution! I used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an actual human at unemployment. They helped me bypass the ID.me issues and got my account verified over the phone. Talking to an agent got my $ unlocked so fast - it's literally the only way I could resolve this. Check out this video that explains how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE

The ID.me system is GARBAGE. I work in IT and I can tell you its poorly designed. My suggestion is to try doing the live video verification option instead of the automated one. There should be a link that says something like "verify with an agent" after a few failed attempts.

Try using a different email address and start the whole process from scratch. That worked for me. For some reason my original email got flagged in their system or something.

Bro I swear the NY unemployment system is DESIGNED to make us give up. It's not a bug, it's a feature 🤡 They make the process so painful hoping people will just stop trying. I had the same issue and ended up having to mail in physical copies of my documents to their office in Albany. Took forever but finally got verified.

Check if your name on your SS card and ID match EXACTLY. My middle name was spelled out on one and just an initial on the other, and that was enough to cause problems with their system. Also, sometimes their system has issues with certain characters in addresses like # or Apt. Try simplifying your address if possible.

Here's a comprehensive guide to resolving ID.me verification issues with NY unemployment: First, understand that ID.me and NYSDOL are separate systems that talk to each other, which creates complications. Try these steps in order: 1) Clear your cookies/cache or use a different browser entirely 2) If you have any special characters in your name (hyphens, apostrophes), try removing them 3) Make sure your smartphone camera is high quality for the selfie 4) For address verification, use EXACTLY what appears on your license/ID 5) If it still fails, request the video verification option 6) If video verification fails, you need to contact NYSDOL directly I've personally helped dozens of people with this issue, and often the fastest solution is actually using claimyr.com to get connected to a live agent who can override the verification process manually. Once you get someone on the phone, explain that ID.me keeps rejecting you despite accurate information, and they can usually verify you on the spot. Don't give up - this is frustrating but solvable!

have u tried contacting ID.me directly? they have their own customer service that's separate from unemployment. a friend of mine had his identity confirmed through their support team when the automated system wouldn't work.

Did you legally change your name at any point? I had this same issue because I got married and changed my last name. Even though I updated my license, there was a mismatch with some background database they use. Had to upload my marriage certificate to get it fixed.

Could be a credit history issue. ID.me sometimes pulls info from credit bureaus to verify identity. If you have a limited credit history, recently moved, or have a credit freeze, it can cause verification to fail. Try checking if you have a credit freeze and temporarily lift it.

Try calling the ny unemployment fraud department directly at (888) 598-2077. They actually answer phones faster than regular unemployment and can help with ID verification issues since those are often categorized as potential fraud cases. Explain your situation calmly and they might be able to override the ID.me requirement.

I swear ID.me is the worst thing to happen to unemployment systems. Every state that uses it has these problems. In my case, I had to use my passport instead of my driver's license to finally get verified. Do you have alternate forms of ID you could try?

try contacting your state representative or assemblyperson! sounds crazy but they can actually help with unemployment issues. i was stuck with verification problems for months, called my assembly member's office, and they had it fixed in 2 days. they have special contacts at nysdol.

I went through this exact nightmare last month! After weeks of failed attempts, here's what finally worked for me: 1) Make sure you're using the EXACT same name format across all documents (including middle initial vs full middle name), 2) Take your selfie in natural daylight near a window - the lighting makes a huge difference, 3) If you have any old addresses associated with your credit report, ID.me might be pulling those for verification questions. I had to temporarily lift my credit freeze like someone mentioned above, and that was the key! Also try using a different device entirely - sometimes their system gets glitchy with certain browsers/phones. Don't give up, it's incredibly frustrating but there IS a solution that will work for your specific situation.