NY unemployment funds on hold because ID.me keeps rejecting my documents
Anyone have experience with ID.me rejections? I got laid off in October from my manufacturing job and applied for unemployment right away. Everything was going fine until mid-November when my payments suddenly stopped. Got a message saying I needed to verify my identity through ID.me before they would release any more funds. I've tried uploading my driver's license and social security card THREE times now, but they keep rejecting them saying the "images aren't clear enough" even though I can read everything perfectly fine on them. It's been almost 5 weeks with no money coming in, and I've got bills piling up. My rent is already late and I'm getting desperate. I've tried calling the unemployment office but I can never get through to anyone. Is there any direct way to contact ID.me representatives? Or some trick to get them to actually accept my documents? This is ridiculous!
40 comments
Carmen Flores
The same thing happend to me! I tried to upload everything like 4 times and kept getting rejected for "unclear images". What finally worked was going to the library and using their scanner to get super high quality scans of my documents, then uploading those. Also make sure the lighting is good and there's no glare on anything. The whole system is a nightmare tho fr.
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Yuki Sato
That's actually a really good idea about the library scanner. I've been trying to take pics with my phone but maybe that's the problem. Did it take long for them to approve once you used the scanner?
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Carmen Flores
Only took about 24 hours after I sent the scans! Way faster than I expected tbh. Good luck!
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Andre Dubois
this is smart af. didnt even think about using a scanner. phone cameras can be trash sometimes even when they look clear to us
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CyberSamurai
After trying to reach someone for days, I finally found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to a live agent. Was able to explain my ID.me issues and they guided me through the whole process. Talking to an agent got my money flowing again within 48 hours. Seriously saved me when I was about to lose my apartment - best decision I made after struggling for weeks! Here's a video that explains how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE
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Zoe Alexopoulos
sounds like one of those ads that pops up everywhere. anyone ACTUALLY try this or is it just another scam? 🤔
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CyberSamurai
I was super skeptical too but I swear it worked. After 3 weeks of trying to get through myself, I was connected to an agent in like 2 hours. They fixed everything on the call.
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Jamal Carter
wait hold up - does this actually work or is it just the usual BS? the ny unemployment system has burned me too many times to trust anything anymore lol
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CyberSamurai
So I was about to throw my phone after 3 hours on hold when I found this. It's basically a service that waits on hold for you then calls your phone when a real person picks up. Worked exactly as advertised.
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Mei Liu
I used it last month when my claim got stuck in pending hell. Worth every penny just to not have to listen to that awful hold music for 4 hours 💯
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Liam O'Donnell
I had to do a video call with them after my documents kept getting rejected. If you go to the ID.me website, there should be an option for a video verification call somewhere. Warning tho - I had to wait in a virtual queue for like 3 hours, but at least it finally worked.
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Amara Nwosu
Have you tried contacting your state representative? When I had issues with ID.me, I reached out to my assemblyman's office and they were able to escalate things. Took about a week but they actually got someone from the unemployment office to help me bypass some of the ID.me stuff. Worth a shot if you're desperate!
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AstroExplorer
THIS 👆 State reps can work miracles sometimes. My cousin did this and got her issue fixed in 3 days after being stuck for weeks.
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Yuki Sato
I didn't even think of that. Do I just look up who my rep is and call their office?
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Amara Nwosu
Yep! Google your address + state assembly rep. Call their office, explain your situation, and they'll usually have someone who handles unemployment cases. They might have you fill out a form to authorize them to inquire about your case.
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Giovanni Moretti
The whole NY unemployment identity verification process is a complete JOKE. They make it nearly impossible on purpose to reduce how many claims they have to pay out. I've been watching them pull this crap for years. The system is DESIGNED to be frustrating so people give up.
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Fatima Al-Farsi
Facts 💯 My brother works for a state agency (not unemployment) and even he says the systems are intentionally archaic and difficult to navigate.
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Dylan Cooper
yep its all about saving $ for the state. make the process so painful that some % of people just give up. criminal if you ask me.
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Sofia Perez
Have you tried using the ID.me customer support email? It's support@id.me - I emailed them with my issue and screenshots of the rejections and surprisingly got a helpful response within 48 hours. They reset something on my account that let me try again with better instructions.
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Yuki Sato
Thank you! Just sent them an email with screenshots of all my rejected attempts. Fingers crossed they actually respond 🤞
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Dmitry Smirnov
Here's what worked for me with ID.me for ny unemployment: 1. Use a scanner instead of phone photos if possible (library or office supply store) 2. Make sure ALL FOUR corners of your ID are visible in the image 3. No glare or shadows on any part of the document 4. Try uploading during business hours (8am-5pm Eastern) - seems like the verification team is more responsive then 5. If all else fails, request the video verification call option 6. If that doesn't work, contact your state representative 7. As a last resort, use claimyr.com to get a real person on the phone who can override or provide specific guidance The system is frustrating by design but there are ways through it. Hang in there - once you get past this hurdle, the backpay should come through all at once.
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ElectricDreamer
This should be pinned at the top! Super helpful info 👏
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Ava Johnson
that video verification call saved me too but omg the wait was insane. ended up being on standby for almost 5 hours before someone connected
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Miguel Diaz
Anyone notice how these identity verification issues ALWAYS seem to happen right when you're most desperate for the money? My tinfoil hat theory is they do random verification checks specifically when accounts have received several payments in a row. It's like they're looking for any excuse to pause benefits.
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Zainab Ahmed
Omg I thought I was the only one who noticed this!!! Happened to me right after I'd gotten 4 payments, right when my car payment was due 🤬
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Connor Byrne
nah its definitely a pattern. happened to my roommate too. system is rigged af
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Yara Abboud
try taking the pics in natural daylight (not artificial light) and put your ID on a dark background like a black t-shirt. Sounds dumb but thats what finally worked for me after 4 rejections. Their system is super picky about contrast.
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PixelPioneer
Yo if all else fails go to twitter and blast them on their account @IDme - worked for me when i was desperate. They have social media people who respond faster than regular support sometimes. public shaming works wonders lol
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Keisha Williams
This is actually genius 😂 Companies hate getting called out publicly
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Yuki Sato
I don't have Twitter but might create an account just for this if I get desperate enough!
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Paolo Rizzo
i dont mean to be that person but have you double checked that the info on your documents EXACTLY matches what you put on your unemployment application? my brother got rejected 6 times because his unemployment app had his middle initial but his ID had his full middle name.
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Yuki Sato
I hadn't even thought of this! The name on my license is just first and last, but I might have put my middle initial on the application. I'll check and see if that's the issue. Thanks!
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Amina Sy
This is probably a dumb question, but are you making sure to upload BOTH front AND back of your license? My wife kept getting rejected because she was only scanning the front. The system doesn't tell you clearly that it needs both sides.
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Oliver Fischer
WORST CASE SCENARIO: If you absolutely cannot get it resolved online, you might have to go in person to a local unemployment office. Bring printed copies of EVERYTHING - your ID, social security card, birth certificate, utility bills, etc. It sucks and you'll probably wait all day, but they can sometimes override the ID.me requirements if you prove your identity in person.
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Natasha Ivanova
make sure to check if your local office needs appointments now tho! A lot of them changed to appointment-only after covid and never went back
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NebulaNomad
this saved me last year when i had the same problem. awful experience but worth it to get my $$$
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Javier Garcia
Have you tried reaching out to your local legal aid office? Many offer free assistance with unemployment issues, including identity verification problems. They might be able to connect you with resources or advocate on your behalf.
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Emma Taylor
i feel your pain man. the whole unemployment system is set up to make you fail. took me 9 weeks to get my first payment after getting laid off. almost ended up homeless. claimyr.com was the only thing that finally worked after weeks of trying to call myself.
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Malik Robinson
another day, another company promising to fix the unfixable unemployment system lol
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Emma Taylor
I get the skepticism but this actually worked for me. After weeks of nothing, I got my backpay in 3 days after talking to an agent. Sometimes you just gotta try something different.
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