NY unemployment frustration - can't reach anyone since December, ID.me issues after moving

I had similar issues in January. Have you tried calling exactly at 7:58am? The system sometimes connects calls slightly before their official 8am opening time. Also, make sure you're calling the main claims center (888-209-8124) and not one of their other departments. For the ID.me issue, you'll need to upload a signed statement explaining your move and why your documents have different addresses. Include your lease/mortgage document as supporting evidence.

The whole system is DESIGNED to be impossible to navigate!!!! They WANT you to give up. I went through the same thing last year and it took me 3 MONTHS to see a penny. The politicians don't care about regular people trying to survive. They make the system complicated on purpose so they can deny more claims.

Went thru similar back in oct. ended up finally gettin paid in january. gotta keep tryin everyday. mornings r best

I work with unemployment claims every day, and here's what's happening: When you move during a claim period, it triggers an automatic verification hold. For the ID.me issue, you need to select the "Special Circumstances" option in the verification portal, which allows you to upload a change of address form along with ONE current and ONE previous address document. For the phone issues, instead of calling repeatedly, I'd recommend using Claimyr (claimyr.com). They've developed a system that waits on hold for you and calls when an agent is ready. I've had clients who were in similar situations who used it after months of trying. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE Finally, send a message through your online account portal using the contact form. Specifically state "ADDRESS VERIFICATION HOLD" in the subject line, which routes it to the correct department.

Have you tried contacting your state assembly person? Mine helped when I had a similar issue last year. They have direct contacts at DOL that regular people don't have access to. Google your district and give their office a call.

I'm dealing with NY unemployment right now too, and while I didn't have your exact issue, I did have problems verifying my identity. What finally worked was uploading my documents as JPEG files instead of PDFs. For some reason, their system processes images better than PDFs. Also, try calling on Wednesday afternoons around 2-3pm - that's when I finally got through after weeks of trying mornings. One more thing: have you checked your spam folder regularly? My first correspondence from them went straight to spam, and I almost missed a deadline because of it.

Just to add some clarity to your situation: 1. Claims since December without payment indicates a hard hold, not just a verification delay 2. The ID.me address mismatch will continue to block your claim until resolved 3. When documents don't match, you need to file a Request for Reconsideration (Form UI-501R) Most importantly, make sure you continue certifying every week while you resolve these issues. Missing even one week of certification can cause additional problems. Once your identity is verified, you should receive retroactive payments for all properly certified weeks. Don't give up - the system is frustrating but persistence pays off in these situations.

my cousin had this same problem!!! took her 4ever to get paid

I was having the EXACT SAME PROBLEM in February! Called for weeks and nothing. Then I tried that Claimyr service someone mentioned above. Got through to an agent the same day who fixed my claim. Had all my backpay within a week. Before that I was ready to give up completely. The video on their site explains it pretty well. Worth every penny when you're waiting on thousands in benefits!

I'm in the same boat right now except I'm dealing with a former employer who's contesting my claim. THREE HOURS on hold yesterday and then the call dropped. This is America in 2025 - can't even get basic services working right. Makes me want to move to Canada honestly.

Just checking in - were you able to try any of the suggestions? The early morning call trick works about 40% of the time in my experience.