NY unemployment claim says 'pending ID verification' for 3 weeks - can't reach anyone!

Unfortunately, what you're experiencing is pretty common with the NYSDOL system right now. Their ID verification process has been experiencing major delays since they updated their system in January 2025. I went through something similar last month - mine took exactly 26 days to finally move from 'pending ID verification' to 'approved.' A few things that might help: 1. Try calling right when they open at 8:00 AM (be dialing at 7:59) 2. When using the phone menu, press 2, then 1, then 4, then 3 - this route sometimes connects faster 3. Submit another ID verification through ID.me (sometimes the first one doesn't link properly) 4. Contact your state assemblyperson's office - they have special channels to reach NYSDOL The good news is that once you're approved, you'll get all your backpay for the weeks you were eligible. Hang in there!

the same thing happend to me but it was stuck for 5 WEEKS!! i was calling everyday and nothing. finally my landlord was threatening eviction and i was like crying on the phone to unemployment but they just said "we understand your frustration" like NO U DONT!! anyway what fixed it for me was i went on twitter and posted about it and tagged @NYSLabor and they actually DMd me and asked for my info and fixed it in 2 days. try that maybe?

I had a similar situation in January. The ID verification system is overwhelmed due to the new anti-fraud measures they implemented. Here's what works best based on my experience working with the system: 1. ID.me issues: Make sure your name/address on your ID EXACTLY matches your unemployment application. Even small differences can cause delays. 2. Call strategy: Their phone system prioritizes certain area codes from high-unemployment regions. If possible, use a friend's phone with a 212, 718, or 315 area code to call. 3. Timing: Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons (2-3pm) typically have shorter wait times than mornings or Mondays. 4. Alternative contact method: Email them at labor.sm.unemployment@labor.ny.gov with "URGENT ID VERIFICATION DELAY [YOUR CLAIM ID]" as the subject line. This is a frustrating process, but persistence is key. Your backpay will be processed once approved.

OMG the ID verification thing is THE WORST!! I feel your pain so much right now. Mine was stuck for 2 weeks and I was checking the website like 20 times a day hoping it would change. So stressful!! 😫

After dealing with similar ID verification issues on my claim (stuck for 3+ weeks), I finally found a service called Claimyr that actually got me through to a real NYSDOL agent in about 20 minutes. It basically automates the calling process and holds your place in line so you don't have to keep redialing. The agent I spoke with was able to manually review my verification documents and approve my claim while I was on the phone with them. Total game changer compared to the weeks of frustration before that. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE that shows how it works. Their website is claimyr.com if you want to check it out. Honestly wish I'd known about this sooner.

NYSDOL is completely USELESS!! I've been fighting with them since DECEMBER about my claim and it's APRIL NOW!!! Every time I call it's a different story - first they said my ID verification failed, then they said it was approved but there was an "employer issue", then they said everything was fine but there's a "system glitch" preventing payment! 🤬🤬🤬 I ended up having to get my state senator involved to get anything done. Call your local representatives office - they have special contacts at NYSDOL who actually answer their phones. It's ridiculous we have to go through elected officials to get basic government services we're entitled to!!! The whole system needs to be completely redesigned!

i had the same problem last week my verification was pending for like 2 weeks but then suddenly it just got approved yesterday did u check again today maybe its fixed?

Important update for anyone dealing with ID verification delays: NYSDOL just announced yesterday that they've identified a system issue affecting ID.me verifications submitted between February 1-10, 2025. They're working through the backlog manually and expect to have all affected claims resolved by April 11. If your verification was submitted during that period (which yours was on February 5th), you should receive an email notification when your verification is processed. They're processing them in chronological order based on submission date. The official announcement is on their website under System Alerts. They're also sending paper notices to affected claimants, but those will likely take another week to arrive in the mail.

Quick follow-up on my earlier comment - make sure you're still certifying for benefits every week while waiting for the ID verification to clear! Many people don't realize you still need to certify during this pending period. If you don't, you won't receive backpay for those weeks once your claim is approved. You can certify online through your NY.gov account (even while your claim shows pending) or by calling their automated system at 1-888-581-5812. Just stick to the facts about your work search activities and availability - the same rules apply even during this waiting period.

My friend just went through this exact situation last month. After weeks of calling and getting nowhere, she actually got through by using that Claimyr service someone mentioned above. She said it was worth it because the agent was able to see that her ID verification had actually been approved internally but hadn't updated in the system. They fixed it while she was on the phone and her status changed to approved the next day. I think the bigger issue is that the new ID.me system isn't communicating properly with the main NYSDOL system. Sometimes the verification goes through on the ID.me side but doesn't register correctly with unemployment. That's why talking to an actual agent who can check both systems is so important.

I had a pending ID verification that took forever too! But here's what finally worked for me: I found an email address for the ID verification department directly: NYSIDverify@labor.ny.gov (not the general unemployment email). I sent them an email with my claim ID in the subject line, and attached copies of my documents again. Got a response within 2 days saying they were expediting my verification, and it was approved 3 days later. Not sure if this email still works (this was in February) but might be worth trying!