NY unemployment login issues - social security and PIN number not matching in system
Is anyone else having trouble logging into their NY unemployment account? Every time I enter my social security number and PIN, the system keeps saying the information doesn't match. What's really weird is that I was able to use the EXACT same information to speak with a specialist to complete my claim just yesterday! I've triple-checked my SSN and PIN, I know they're correct. Anyone experiencing this issue or know what might be causing it? Starting to get worried about missing my weekly certification deadline...
24 comments

Grace Durand
yea this happens all the time with their crappy website. try clearing ur cookies and cache, sometimes that fixes it. or try a different browser. the system gets glitchy especially on sunday nights when everyone is certifying
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Connor Richards
AuthorThanks, I'll try that right now. So frustrating that their website is so unreliable when we depend on it for our benefits!
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Steven Adams
I had this exact issue last month. The problem could be one of three things: 1. System maintenance - NYSDOL often does updates on Thursdays that can cause temporary login issues 2. Account security lock - after several failed attempts, your account gets a 24-hour security hold 3. PIN reset requirement - every 90 days the system requires a PIN update Try waiting a few hours and then selecting the "Forgot PIN" option. In my experience, you'll need to create a new PIN that's different from your last three. Make sure you're also entering your SSN without dashes.
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Connor Richards
AuthorThanks for the detailed response! I think it might be the 90-day PIN reset since it's been about that long since I set it up. I'll try the forgot PIN option.
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Alice Fleming
OMG I'M HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM RIGHT NOW!!! I've been trying since 7am!!! What happens if we miss our certification window because their stupid system isn't working?? Will they backdate it?? I'm literally panicking because I can't afford to miss a payment. Has anyone gotten through to an actual person about this??
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Steven Adams
Don't panic - you have until Saturday to certify for the previous week. If you still can't get in by Friday, call first thing in the morning. They can help you certify by phone if necessary.
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Hassan Khoury
I experienced something similar and found that the NY unemployment system sometimes has these authentication glitches. What finally worked for me was using Claimyr to connect with an actual agent who fixed my account access on the spot. I tried for 3 days on my own before using their service at claimyr.com - they got me connected to an agent in about 20 minutes who reset something on their end. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE The agent mentioned that sometimes their system flags accounts for verification when there are multiple login attempts from different devices or locations.
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Grace Durand
never heard of that service before. does it actually work? seems sketchy that you'd have to pay just to talk to someone when its their website thats broken
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Victoria Stark
This happened to me a few weeks back. Turned out I was typing my social wrong without realizing it! I was putting 6 instead of 0 (they're right next to each other on the keyboard). Double check that you're not making a typo - I felt so dumb when I realized what I was doing wrong lol
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Connor Richards
AuthorHmm, I've been super careful about typing it correctly, but maybe I'll try copying and pasting from a notepad to make sure there's no typo. Thanks for the suggestion!
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Benjamin Kim
I work in IT and I've seen this issue come up with several government websites. There are a few technical things you can try: 1. Try incognito/private browsing mode 2. Disable any browser extensions you have 3. Try a completely different device if possible 4. Check if your keyboard has num lock enabled if you're using the numeric keypad The NYS unemployment site uses some outdated security protocols that don't play nice with certain browsers and settings. Also, their servers get overloaded during high traffic periods, especially Sunday evenings and Monday mornings.
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Connor Richards
AuthorThanks for the technical advice! I tried incognito mode and it still didn't work, but I'm going to try from my tablet next. I've been using my laptop with Chrome, so maybe a completely different device will help.
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Samantha Howard
Just wanted to update everyone - I had this EXACT same problem and finally got it resolved. The issue was that my account had been flagged for identity verification, even though I'd already completed that process. I had to call them, and after being on hold forever, the rep told me there was a note on my account requiring additional verification. Once they removed it, I could log in again immediately. The weird part was there was NOTHING indicating this on the website - it just kept saying my info didn't match.
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Connor Richards
AuthorThank you so much for sharing this! I think this might be exactly what's happening to me too. How long did you have to wait on hold to talk to someone? I've tried calling a few times but gave up after 45 minutes.
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Grace Durand
did u try logging in with ur ny.gov ID instead? sometimes that works when the direct login fails. click the green ny.gov button instead of the regular login.
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Connor Richards
AuthorNo, I didn't know that was an option! I'll try that right away. Thanks for the tip!
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Connor Richards
UPDATE: I finally got in! For anyone having the same issue - it wasn't anything I was doing wrong. I called using the Claimyr service someone mentioned above, got through to an agent in about 15 minutes, and they confirmed my account had been flagged for "additional security verification" but there was no notification sent to me about it. The agent was able to clear it immediately and I could log in right after. Apparently this is happening to quite a few accounts lately. Thanks everyone for your help!
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Sara Hellquiem
So glad you got it resolved! This is really helpful info for everyone else dealing with the same issue. It's ridiculous that they're flagging accounts for "additional security verification" without sending any notification - how are we supposed to know that's what's happening? The system just makes it look like we're entering wrong info. Definitely saving this thread for future reference in case it happens to me too. Thanks for updating us with the solution!
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Oliver Schmidt
This is such valuable information! I'm dealing with a similar login issue right now and was starting to worry I'd somehow forgotten my own PIN. It's crazy that the system doesn't give you any indication that your account is flagged - just keeps saying "information doesn't match" which makes you think you're doing something wrong. Really appreciate Connor sharing the solution and everyone else's troubleshooting tips. Definitely going to try the Claimyr service if I can't get through on my own soon.
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Liam Brown
@Oliver Schmidt I had the exact same experience! The information "doesn t'match error" is so misleading - it really does make you think you re'entering something wrong. I probably would have kept trying different combinations of my info for days if I hadn t'found this thread. The fact that there s'a hidden flag on accounts with no notification is just poor system design. Hope you get through to them soon - seems like once they clear that flag it works immediately!
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Yuki Tanaka
@Oliver Schmidt I just tried Claimyr after reading this thread and it worked! Got connected to an agent in about 12 minutes who found the same additional "security verification flag" on my account. She cleared it instantly and now I can log in normally. Cost $20 but honestly worth it to avoid the stress and potential missed certification. It s'frustrating that NY s'system has these invisible flags but at least there s'a reliable way to get help. Hope this helps if you re'still having issues!
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Khalid Howes
This whole thread has been incredibly helpful! I've been having the exact same login issue for the past two days and was getting so frustrated thinking I was entering my info wrong. After reading everyone's experiences, especially Connor's update about the account being flagged for "additional security verification" with no notification, I'm pretty sure that's what's happening to me too. It's really disappointing that NY's unemployment system has such poor communication - they should at least tell you when your account is flagged instead of just giving a generic "information doesn't match" error. Going to try calling tomorrow morning, and if that doesn't work, I'll look into the Claimyr service. Thanks everyone for sharing your solutions!
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Mateo Hernandez
I'm new here but dealing with the exact same frustrating situation! Been trying to log in for the past 3 days with my correct SSN and PIN, and kept getting that "information doesn't match" error. After reading through this thread, it's clear this is a widespread issue with their system flagging accounts without proper notification. It's so relieving to know I'm not going crazy or forgetting my own information! Really grateful for Connor sharing the final solution and everyone else's troubleshooting tips. Planning to call first thing tomorrow morning, and now I know to specifically ask if my account has been flagged for additional verification. This community is incredibly helpful - thanks everyone for documenting your experiences!
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Alice Coleman
Just joined this community and I'm so grateful to have found this thread! I've been dealing with the exact same login issue for the past 3 days - my SSN and PIN were working fine last week for my weekly certification, but now I keep getting that dreaded "information doesn't match" error. Reading through everyone's experiences has been such a huge relief because I was honestly starting to think I was going crazy or somehow forgetting my own information! The fact that Connor's issue turned out to be an invisible account flag for "additional security verification" with absolutely no notification from the system is both incredibly helpful and completely maddening. It's unacceptable that NY's unemployment system can silently flag accounts and leave people thinking they're entering wrong information when the real issue is on their end. I'm definitely going to try calling at 8:05 AM tomorrow morning as Amina suggested and will specifically ask about any verification flags or holds on my account. If that doesn't work quickly, I might look into the Claimyr service that helped Connor get through to someone faster. Thank you so much to everyone who shared their experiences and solutions - this community has been more helpful than any official resources I've found! Will update if I discover anything new in my troubleshooting journey.
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