NY unemployment identity verification keeps rejecting my mother's maiden name - any solutions?

Omg I had the EXACT same problem last month!! The system kept saying my mother's maiden name didn't match. After literally 2 weeks of trying to get through to someone, I found this service called Claimyr that connected me with an actual human at unemployment (https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE). The agent was able to override the system and manually verify my identity. Talking to that agent got my money released within 48 hours. Best decision ever after weeks of frustration!

The identity verification is a complete nightmare. When I went through it, they asked for my previous address from 12 years ago, which I barely remembered. Turns out they had the WRONG address in their system, and I had to mail in physical documents to prove my identity. Try calling the ID verification department directly instead of regular unemployment - (877) 221-1634. But warning: you'll be on hold for hours.

Look, the entire NY unemployment verification system is DESIGNED to be difficult. It's not a bug, it's a feature. They WANT people to give up. I worked in government (not unemployment) for 14 years, and I can tell you these systems are intentionally complex to reduce payouts. Your best bet is to contact your local state representative's office and ask for help. They have special channels to unemployment.

This is most likely a data entry error in their system. When I had this issue, it turned out someone had entered my mother's first name as her maiden name when I first applied for a state ID years ago. Try variations - maybe her first name, middle name, or even a nickname? The system is pulling from multiple databases and who knows which one has the 'correct' info.

If nothing else works, file an appeal! You have the legal right to appeal any decision on your claim. You'll need to go to your online account and look for the 'File an Appeal' option. They're required by law to review your case and you'll get a hearing. It's a pain and takes time, but it's better than nothing.

I've been dealing with unemployment problems for over a decade, and here's what you need to know about the NY unemployment system and identity verification issues: First, don't waste your time with the regular phone lines. They're overwhelmed and most agents can't help with identity verification anyway. Instead, try these options: 1. Contact your STATE SENATOR or ASSEMBLY MEMBER. They have dedicated staff who deal with unemployment issues and special direct lines to DOL. 2. Try the Twitter approach - tweet @NYSLabor with your issue (no personal details). They often respond and help. 3. Submit a request through their secure message portal on the website. Use the exact phrase "IDENTITY VERIFICATION ERROR" in the subject line. 4. If you're truly desperate and need to speak to someone quickly, check out claimyr.com - it's a service that gets you through to an actual human. I was skeptical but it worked when I needed to fix a payment issue. 5. Request a copy of your identity verification records under FOIL (Freedom of Information Law) - this can reveal what information they actually have on file. The most common reason for maiden name errors is that they're pulling data from your DMV records, credit history, OR social security records - and these often don't match. The system is comparing your answer against potentially outdated or incorrect information. Hang in there - it's frustrating but solvable!

i had this EXACT problem. turns out my mom had a different maiden name spelling on her marriage certificate vs birth certificate 🤦‍♀️ and somehow thats what messed up the system. had to send in physical documents to prove who i was. took 2 months to resolve.

OMG THiS SYSTEM IS SUCH TRASH!!! i got locked out for 60 days because of a similar issue. they had my street address wrong by ONE letter. like seriously????? its all a scam to not pay ppl whut they deserve.

Question - has your mother ever had multiple last names? My mom was married twice before I was born, and apparently the system had her second husband's last name as her "maiden" name. Makes zero sense but that's what finally worked.

The NY unemployment system is just broken. Period. I recommend showing up IN PERSON to a career center. It's the only way I finally got my identity verified after weeks of this same runaround. Bring multiple forms of ID and any documentation you have. The in-person staff actually have brains unlike the online system.

just a thought - try entering "UNKNOWN" for mother's maiden name. My friend had this problem and apparently that worked because his mom was adopted and they had no record of her birth name. Worth a shot if nothing else works!

After dealing with this exact problem, I stopped wasting time with the online system and just used Claimyr.com to get a callback from an agent. They fixed it in 5 minutes once I actually got to talk to someone. The agent told me a lot of the ID verification questions pull from credit reports, which often have errors. Using claimyr was the only way I could get a human on the phone after trying for weeks.

Fun fact: the system pulls your mother's maiden name from your credit report half the time. If you've ever entered it wrong on a credit application or bank account, that wrong version might be what they're looking for. You could try checking your credit report to see what's listed there.

try the last name she had when u were born, not her actual maiden name. i know it makes no sense but thats what worked for me.