NY.gov ID Error: System Claims I've Used Different Username Before, But It's My First Time. Help!

I found a way to solve NY.gov ID account creation issues, watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QK5DZA3SefE

Ugh, I feel your pain! The NY.gov ID system can be such a headache. Have you tried calling their support line? Sometimes talking to a real person can help sort these things out.

I had a similar issue last month. Turns out, I had created an account years ago for a different state service and completely forgot about it. Maybe double-check if you've ever used any NY state services before?

The whole system is broken af. I've been dealing with NY.gov ID issues for weeks now. Good luck, OP. You're gonna need it. 🤡

Hey everyone, I found a method that actually works to get someone on the phone. I used this site's (claimyr.com) calling tool that dials the phone menu, stays on hold, waits for a live agent to pick up, then sends the call to my phone. It does cost $20, but it works. Here's a video explaining it: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE

Here's what you need to do to resolve your NY.gov ID issue: 1. Gather all your identification documents (driver's license, SSN, etc.) 2. Take screenshots of the error messages you're getting 3. Try clearing your browser cache and cookies, then attempt to create an account again 4. If that doesn't work, call the NY.gov ID support line at 1-800-XXX-XXXX 5. When you get through, explain that this is your first time creating an account and provide them with the error messages 6. Be prepared to verify your identity with the documents you gathered 7. If they can't resolve it over the phone, ask for a case number and request an in-person appointment Hope this helps! Let us know how it goes.

have u tried turning it off and on again? 🤣

I work in IT (not for NY.gov tho) and I can tell you that these kinda systems are often held together with duct tape and prayers. It's probably some legacy database issue. Keep pushing and don't give up!

I had the exact same issue! Turns out there might be a partial record in their system from when you might have started creating an account but never finished, or sometimes it happens if someone with a similar name/info already exists. Try using a slightly different email address or adding a middle initial if you have one. Also, make sure you're using a different browser or incognito mode - sometimes cached data can cause weird conflicts. If all else fails, you can also try the "Forgot Username" option even though you never created one - it might help identify if there's actually an existing partial account tied to your info.

This happened to me too! What worked for me was checking if I had any old accounts with other NY state services like EBT, SNAP, or even old tax filings. Sometimes these systems are all connected and if you used a different email/username combo years ago for any NY state service, it can trigger this error. Try going to the NY.gov main portal and use the "Account Recovery" option - even if you don't remember having an account, it might help you find an old forgotten one. Also, double-check that you're not accidentally using an email that might have been used by a family member on the same computer. Good luck!

I'm dealing with something similar right now! What's really frustrating is that the error messages are so vague - they don't tell you WHY the system thinks you've used a different username before. I've been going in circles for days. One thing I noticed is that sometimes if you have any typos in your personal info (like a slightly different spelling of your name or an old address) it can trigger these weird conflicts. Also, if you've ever applied for unemployment benefits, SNAP, or any other NY state program - even if it was years ago and you forgot about it - that might be causing the issue. The systems are all supposedly "integrated" now but it feels more like they're just broken in new and creative ways. Let me know if you figure out a solution because I'm running out of ideas over here! 😤

I just went through this exact same nightmare last week! What finally worked for me was realizing that NY.gov ID might be pulling data from other state databases you've interacted with, even indirectly. Here's what I discovered: if you've ever been listed as a reference on someone else's application (like a family member's benefits application), or if you've ever done anything with the DMV, voter registration, or even jury duty - all of that info might be floating around in their system under slightly different variations of your name/address. I had to call the support line (took 3 attempts over different days) and ask them to do a "comprehensive account search" using not just my current info, but also my old addresses and even my maiden name. Turns out there was a dormant partial record from when I moved apartments 4 years ago and the postal service forwarding created some weird data duplication. The rep was able to clear it and I finally got my account created. Don't give up - there IS a solution, it's just buried under layers of bureaucratic data chaos! 🤦‍♀️

I had this exact same error message and it drove me crazy for weeks! After reading through all these comments, I think the key is understanding that NY.gov ID connects to WAY more systems than they tell you. Here's what I'd recommend trying in this order: 1) First, try the incognito browser method someone mentioned - clear everything and start fresh. 2) If that doesn't work, think really hard about ANY interaction you've had with NY state - not just online accounts, but things like voter registration, jury duty, property records, even if a family member listed you as an emergency contact on something. 3) When you call (and definitely call first thing in the morning like someone suggested), ask specifically for a "comprehensive account search" and mention you suspect there might be a partial or dormant record from indirect system connections. 4) Be ready with ALL variations of your info - old addresses, maiden names, different email formats, etc. The system seems to create these phantom conflicts from the weirdest sources. Don't let them brush you off with "try again later" - there's clearly something in their database that needs to be manually cleared. You've got this! 💪

I've been lurking in government service forums for a while but had to create an account just to respond to this thread because I literally just solved this EXACT issue yesterday! After reading everyone's experiences here, I realized my situation was a combo of several things mentioned. Turns out I had THREE different partial records in their system: one from when I registered to vote 6 years ago (different apartment), one from when my sister listed me as an emergency contact for her unemployment claim in 2020, and one from a property tax inquiry I made online for my parents' house using their computer. The NY.gov ID system was trying to merge all these records and failing spectacularly. What finally worked: I called at 8 AM sharp, asked for a "comprehensive multi-system account search," and had them check under my current address, old address, both email addresses I've used, and my sister's last name (since I was her emergency contact). The rep found all three partial records, merged them properly, and cleared the conflicts. Took about 45 minutes on the phone but I finally have a working NY.gov ID! The key phrase was asking them to check "cross-system database conflicts" - that seemed to unlock a different level of troubleshooting. Don't give up, everyone! This thread has been incredibly helpful and I hope my experience adds another piece to the puzzle for anyone still fighting this battle. 🎉

I'm going through this exact same thing right now and this thread is like finding gold! I've been banging my head against the wall for days with the same "you've used a different username before" error when I KNOW I've never created a NY.gov ID account. Reading everyone's experiences here makes me realize this is way more common than I thought. I'm especially intrigued by the comments about partial records from other NY state interactions - now I'm wondering if it could be related to when I updated my voter registration after moving last year, or maybe something from when I helped my mom with her property tax appeal online. I'm definitely going to try the comprehensive approach that @Kiara Greene laid out - calling at 8 AM with all my info variations and asking about "cross-system database conflicts." It's honestly ridiculous that we have to become database detectives just to access basic government services, but I'm grateful for this community sharing real solutions. Will report back with my results! 🤞

This entire thread has been a lifesaver! I've been dealing with the same "different username" error for over a week now and was starting to think I was going crazy. Reading through everyone's experiences, I'm realizing this is clearly a systemic issue with how NY.gov ID handles data from multiple state systems. I'm particularly struck by how @Kiara Greene found THREE partial records from completely different interactions - that really explains why the error messages are so confusing. I think I might have a similar situation since I've done voter registration, helped my dad with DMV stuff online, and I'm pretty sure I was listed as a contact for my roommate's COVID unemployment claim back in 2020. I'm definitely going to try the 8 AM call strategy with the "cross-system database conflicts" phrase and have all my info variations ready. It's absolutely wild that we need this level of detective work just to create a government account, but I'm so grateful for this community sharing real solutions instead of just complaining. This gives me actual hope that there's a way through this bureaucratic nightmare! 🙌

Just wanted to jump in and say this thread is absolutely incredible! I'm dealing with the exact same "different username" error and was starting to lose my mind until I found this goldmine of actual solutions. Reading through everyone's experiences, it's crystal clear this is a widespread systemic issue with NY.gov ID's database integration. The detective work you all have done here is amazing - especially @Kiara Greene's breakthrough with finding three partial records and the magic phrase "cross-system database conflicts." I'm now realizing my error might be connected to when I helped my elderly neighbor set up her benefits application online using my computer, or maybe from when I registered for jury duty last year. I'm definitely going to try the comprehensive 8 AM call approach with all my info variations ready. It's absolutely bonkers that we need a PhD in government database archaeology just to create an account, but this community has given me actual hope and a real action plan. You're all heroes for sharing these detailed solutions instead of just venting! Will definitely report back with my results. Thank you so much! 🙏💪

I'm so glad I found this thread! I've been battling this exact same error for three days now and was starting to think I was losing it. The NY.gov ID system keeps insisting I've used a different username before when I KNOW this is my first time ever trying to create an account. Reading through all these experiences has been such an eye-opener - it's clearly not user error but a systemic problem with their database integration. I'm particularly fascinated by the discovery that partial records can be created from the most indirect interactions with NY state systems. Now I'm wondering if mine could be related to when I was listed as a reference on my brother's SNAP application years ago, or maybe from when I did online research about small business licenses for a friend. The success stories here give me real hope though! I'm definitely going to try the 8 AM call strategy with the "cross-system database conflicts" magic phrase that @Kiara Greene discovered, along with having all my address/email variations ready. It's absolutely ridiculous that we need to become government database forensic experts just to access basic services, but this community has provided more useful troubleshooting info than any official help page. Thank you all for sharing your real experiences and actual solutions! 🙌

I just went through this nightmare myself about two weeks ago! Same exact error - system claiming I'd used a different username when I'd never even heard of NY.gov ID before. What finally worked for me was a combination of things I picked up from forums like this one. First, I tried the incognito browser approach which didn't work, but then I called at exactly 8:00 AM and used the phrase "cross-system database conflicts" that someone mentioned. Turns out I had a partial record from when I registered to vote online three years ago using a slightly different email format, plus another fragment from when I was an emergency contact for my cousin's unemployment claim during COVID. The rep was able to find both records, merge them, and clear the conflict. Took about 40 minutes on the phone but it worked! The key was being persistent and having all my info ready - current address, old addresses, both email formats I've used, even family member names who might have listed me as a contact. Don't give up - there IS a solution buried in their system somewhere! 🙏

This thread is absolutely amazing - I can't believe how much useful information everyone has shared! I'm dealing with the exact same "different username" error and was starting to think there was something wrong with me. Reading through all these experiences has been such a relief because it's clearly a widespread system issue, not user error. I'm particularly blown away by @Kiara Greene's detective work finding THREE partial records from completely different interactions - that really shows how broken their database integration is. I think my issue might be related to when I helped my sister apply for emergency rental assistance during COVID, or maybe from when I registered for the NY Forward job training program last year. I'm definitely going to try the 8 AM call strategy with the "cross-system database conflicts" magic phrase, armed with all my address variations and family connection info. It's absolutely insane that we need to become forensic accountants of our own government data just to create a basic account, but this community has given me real hope and an actual battle plan. You're all legends for turning this frustrating situation into a collaborative problem-solving masterpiece! 🙌💪