NY unemployment asking for ID verification I don't have - what can I submit instead?

I had the same issue last September! I ended up sending my passport (even though it was expired), a utility bill (had to call the company and get them to email me a PDF), and my W2 from my last job which had my SSN on it. It worked! They verified me within like 10 days. Just send whatever official documents you can find with your name on them.

After dealing with the same verification nightmare for weeks, I found this service called Claimyr that got me through to an actual human at unemployment in like 30 minutes. Literally was the best money I ever spent! Agent looked at my file and told me exactly what alternative docs they would accept. Got my benefits flowing again right away. Here's where I found it: claimyr.com (they also have this video explaining how it works https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE

you can use: pay stubs with ur SSN, health insurance card, school ID + bills with ur address, tax forms, voter registration card, library card sometimes works with bills... the key is having SOMETHING with ur photo and SOMETHING with ur address and SOMETHING with ur SSN. doesnt all have to be on same document

The whole ID verification system is complete trash 🗑️ I sent in ALL the required docs and they STILL said it wasn't enough. Then I called and the agent was like "oh yeah I can see all your docs are fine" and fixed it in 2 minutes. YOU HAVE TO CALL THEM no matter what docs you have.

For the SSN part - they accepted my tax transcript that I downloaded from the IRS website. For address, I got my bank to email me a statement with my name and address on it (even though it was technically still showing my old address). And for ID I used my college alumni card which had my photo. It was a weird combo but it worked! The trick is sending SOMETHING rather than nothing.

Look I'm gonna tell you exactly what to do because I work with people going through this mess all the time. First - don't panic. There are alternatives for every document they request: - Photo ID: Driver's license is best, but they'll accept passports (even expired ones), military ID, school ID with photo, some employee badges, or even some medical insurance cards with photos. - Proof of address: Utility bills, bank statements, lease agreement, mortgage statement, tax docs, official mail from government agencies, car registration, insurance statements. - SSN proof: Social security card is best, but they'll accept W2s, 1099s, tax returns, paystubs that show full SSN, or official letters from government agencies that show your SSN. The most important thing is CALLING THEM once you upload. The system automatically rejects tons of valid documents. When you get someone on the phone (use claimyr.com if you can't get through), explain your situation and ask them to review what you've submitted. They can override the system. If you absolutely can't find documents, request replacement ones ASAP and upload proof that you've requested them (receipt/confirmation email). Then call and explain. DON'T let the deadline pass without uploading something and trying to contact them. This triggers automatic denial.

This is why I'm NEVER doing unemployment again even if I'm starving. The system is designed to make you fail so they don't have to pay. It's all a scam.

when u upload the docs, take super clear photos. make sure lighting is good, all corners visible. I had to resubmit 3x because my photos were "too blurry" even tho they looked fine to me. also send MORE than they ask for if you can. Like if u have 2 utility bills, send both.

honestly you can find that stuff. look in your emails for tax documents from previous employers. check your files. if you have a smart phone, look for photos of your documents - i had pics of my ssn card & license on my phone for backup! for proof of address, call utility companies or your landlord and ask them to email you a statement.

i went through this whole mess last spring and ended up using my costco membership card (it has my photo lol), a screenshot of my amazon delivery address, and a paystub that showed my ssn. ridiculous combo but the lady on the phone approved it after i explained my situation

ny unemployment is the worst in the country for real. I'm dealing with the EXACT same thing. Spent 4 hours on hold yesterday only to get hung up on. Today I'm trying claimyr.com because my friend used it and actually got through. This verification mess is insane.

just dealt with this fiasco. Had to request a replacement SS card (you can do this online at ssa.gov), and for proof of address I had my mom mail me something at my new address then used that lol. For ID I used my expired passport. Agent on phone said expired IDs are fine as long as they're not more than 2 yrs expired.

The entire ID verification thing is because of all the fraud last year. Sooooo many scammers were filing fake claims that now they're making everyone jump through hoops. You're basically guilty until proven innocent in their eyes. 😑

Use [ID.me](https://ID.me) if you can. It's way easier than dealing with DOL directly. They verify your identity through video call if you don't have all the docs.

i went through 4 months of this bs. kept uploading docs and they kept saying "not sufficient" with zero explanation. finally i contacted my state assembly person and they fixed it in ONE WEEK. seriously contact your local rep, they have special liaisons with unemployment.

just tell them your documents were stolen and you are in process of replacing them. they usually give you extensions if you can prove you've applied for replacements (like confirmation emails from dmv or ssa).

You 👏 need 👏 to 👏 call 👏 them!!! Upload whatever documents you can find, doesn't even matter if they're not exactly what they asked for, and then CALL AND EXPLAIN. The online system is completely automated and will reject you, but actual humans on the phone have the ability to override and approve your docs.

My cousin had this issue and he couldn't find his paperwork because he had recently moved too. He ended up getting a letter from his employer that had his address and last 4 of SSN, plus he used his gym membership card that had his photo. DOL accepted it! Just call and explain your situation.

they made me verify 3 separate times in 6 months. EVERY TIME it was different documents they wanted. I swear they do this on purpose to get people to give up. stick with it!!!

I'm going through the exact same nightmare right now! Lost my wallet in a recent move and they're asking for all these documents I don't have. Reading through these comments is giving me hope though - sounds like they'll accept way more alternatives than they make it seem. I found my old work badge that has my photo and I think I can get my landlord to email me something official with my address. For SSN I'm going to try requesting my tax transcript from the IRS website like someone mentioned. The key seems to be uploading SOMETHING and then calling to explain (even if you have to use one of those callback services people keep mentioning). Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this thread is more helpful than anything on the official DOL website!

I'm dealing with this exact situation right now too! Just got the verification email yesterday and panicking because I also lost my wallet recently. Reading through all these responses is so helpful - I had no idea they would accept things like expired passports or work IDs with photos. I think I can piece together what I need: I have an old student ID with my photo, my lease agreement for address proof, and I'm going to try downloading that IRS tax transcript someone mentioned for my SSN. It's reassuring to know so many people have gotten through this with creative document combinations. Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences - this community is a lifesaver when the official system feels impossible to navigate!