NY unemployment on hold - Can't access ID.me with "Authenticator" from 2021, keeps asking for security key I don't have

Exact same thing happened to me last month. Spent 3 days trying to figure it out myself. ID.me is literally the worst verification system ever created. What worked for me was doing a video call verification with them instead of trying to use the security key stuff. Look for the option that says something like "verify your identity with an agent" or similar. You'll wait in a queue but at least it works.

After dealing with the same frustrating ID.me nightmare for my ny unemployment claim, I finally found a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through to an actual human at the unemployment office. They called and stayed on hold for me, then connected me to a rep who helped override the ID.me issues. Best money I've ever spent to get my benefits flowing again! They even have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE

If you downloaded the ID.me authenticator app at some point, that's probably what it's looking for. Check your phone to see if you have it installed. If not, you might need to download it again and somehow recover your access. Their customer service is basically non-existent so good luck with that 🙄

They pull this security key bs to make it harder to claim benefits. My cousin works for the state (not unemployment) and says they're deliberately making verification harder because of all the fraud during covid. It's ridiculous and hurts actual people who need help. Good luck man

Here's a step-by-step guide to fix this ID.me issue with NY unemployment (I went through this nightmare in April): 1. First, try clearing your browser cache and cookies completely, then restart your browser. Many ID.me issues are browser-related. 2. If that doesn't work, try using a completely different browser (if you're on Chrome, try Firefox or Edge). 3. If you're still stuck, DO NOT keep trying the security key option if you never set one up. Instead, look for the "more options" or "need help" link (sometimes it's tiny at the bottom). 4. Click on the option for video verification with a "Trusted Referee" - this bypasses the security key requirement. 5. If all else fails, you can try reaching an actual unemployment representative who can sometimes override or provide alternative verification options. This is where I found success using Claimyr.com - they connected me to a live agent after I had spent days trying to call myself. The most important thing is to NOT give up. The system is frustrating by design but persistence pays off. Your benefits are your right if you qualify for them. Feel free to DM me if you have specific questions about the process. I've helped several people in my family get through this same issue.

i had this EXACT same problem omg 🤬 ended up having to make a whole new ID.me account with a different email address. lost 3 weeks of benefits in the process while they sorted it out. the whole system is a joke

Might not be what you want to hear but I had to go to an actual local unemployment office in person to get this fixed. The online system is completely broken and the phone lines are useless. If there's an office within driving distance, just go there - it's worth the trip.

The "Authenticator" that shows as added is probably Google Authenticator or some other 2FA app you might have set up last year and forgotten about. Do you still have the same phone? Check if you have any authenticator apps installed.

Sooooo frustrating! I just went thru this same ID.me hellscape for my ny unemployment. Try logging in on a desktop computer instead of mobile - for some reason their mobile site is completely broken and shows different options than the desktop version.

unpopular opinion but ID.me actually helped me when someone tried to claim benefits in my name. there was fraud EVERYWHERE during covid. the system sucks to navigate but there's a reason they made verification harder

Contact your state representative!!! Seriously, this worked for me after 3 weeks of ID.me hell. Find your NY state assembly person and senator, email both offices explaining your situation. They have special contacts at unemployment who can override verification issues.

if the authenticator says added in july 2021 but you don't remember setting it up, your account might have been compromised. call the fraud department directly (not regular unemployment) - different number with way shorter wait times.

Uggggh I feel your pain on the NY unemployment verification nightmare. After dealing with the exact same issue last month, I finally got someone on the phone using claimyr.com who explained that sometimes the system gets stuck in a loop where it keeps asking for security verification even after you've done it. The rep had to manually reset something on my account and then everything started working.

someone probably already said this but have you tried resetting your 2FA completely? go to account settings and look for security options, there should be a way to remove all verification methods and start over

pro tip: the id.me help chat is actually better than calling. go to id.me website (not through unemployment) and look for the chat option. still took me 30 mins in queue but they fixed my security key issue without video verification