Expired ID stopping TWC ID.me verification - any workarounds?

I had a similar problem but with a different twist. Yes, TWC can actually work with you on this! According to TWC's identity verification guidelines, you need to provide TWC with alternative documents to verify your identity. I used my birth certificate, social security card, AND a utility bill in my name with my current address when my license was being renewed. Call TWC and explain your situation. They can give you special instructions on how to submit alternative identification documents. They may ask you to upload these documents through your TWC portal or send them via mail/fax to a specific department that handles identity verification exceptions. Also, check if your local DPS offers emergency appointment slots for people who need ID for government benefits - some locations keep a few slots open daily for urgent cases.

you don't actually need ID.me to file for unemployment! common misunderstanding. you only need it for the account creation part but you can call and do everything by phone instead. thats what i did last year

I had the EXACT same problem last month!! It was a NIGHTMARE trying to get anyone on the phone at TWC. I spent literally 3 days hitting redial over and over. When I finally got through, they told me I HAD to have a valid government ID - no exceptions!!! The lady was super rude about it too, like it was my fault the DPS is booked for months. I ended up driving to a small town DPS office about 80 miles away where they had walk-in availability. Took half a day but I got my license renewed same day and was able to complete ID.me verification that night. Might be worth checking if any DPS offices outside your city have availability sooner?

After helping dozens of people with TWC claims, I can tell you that this is actually a common issue. Here's what you need to know: 1. ID.me does require a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID as their primary verification method 2. However, ID.me does have an alternative verification pathway called "Trusted Referee" for people without valid photo ID. You'll need to do a video call with an ID.me representative who can verify your identity using alternative documents (SS card, birth certificate, etc.) 3. To access this option, start the normal ID.me verification process, and when it fails due to your expired ID, look for the "Verify your identity with a Trusted Referee" option 4. Be prepared for a wait time - these video calls can have long queues As for contacting TWC directly about this issue, good luck getting through on their regular numbers. I recommend using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to a TWC agent quickly. They have a service that helps you bypass the busy signals and long hold times. I've seen their demo video (https://youtu.be/V-IMvH88P1U?si=kNxmh025COIlIzKh) and it works really well for getting through to TWC when you need to discuss specific issues like alternative verification methods.

just a heads up the trusted referee thing took me 4.5 hours of waiting last time i did it. start early in the day and have your phone charged

Did you try the TX DPS "Get in Line Online" system? That's how I got my license renewed quickly. You can check for cancellations and sometimes snag a much earlier appointment. I got next-day at the Rosenberg location when Houston was booked out for months. Also, while waiting for your ID issue to be resolved, make sure you're still requesting payment for weeks you're eligible, even if the system won't pay you yet. Once your identity is verified, they should release all held payments for weeks you properly requested payment. Don't skip requesting payments or you might lose those weeks entirely!

UPDATE FOR EVERYONE: I just tried the ID.me Trusted Referee video call option that someone mentioned above and it WORKED!!! I had to wait almost 3 hours in the video queue (started at position 342!) but once I got connected, the representative was super helpful. I showed my expired ID, social security card, and a utility bill, answered some verification questions, and they approved me! My TWC claim is now processing! HUGE relief!

One more important thing to know: even after you get verified through ID.me, you might face a 1-2 day delay before TWC's system recognizes your verification status. Don't panic if you complete verification but still can't access your claim immediately. Their systems don't always sync in real-time. If it's been more than 48 hours after successful verification and you still can't access your claim, that's when you should contact TWC directly.

Just wanted to add another option that saved me when I was in a similar situation - some local libraries and community centers offer free notary services and can help with document verification. I brought my expired ID, birth certificate, and social security card to my local library, and the librarian helped me get everything properly documented and notarized. Then I was able to use those notarized documents as part of the Trusted Referee process with ID.me. Also, if you're really desperate and need to get through to TWC faster, try calling right at 8:00 AM when they open - I've had better luck getting through in the first 15 minutes than any other time of day. The phone lines seem to get completely jammed after 8:30 AM. Good luck with the Trusted Referee process - it sounds like that's your best bet right now!

I went through this nightmare last year and here's what ultimately worked for me: Contact your state representative's office! I know it sounds like overkill, but their constituent services staff deal with TWC issues all the time and they have direct contacts inside the agency. I called my rep's office, explained my situation (expired ID blocking unemployment benefits, couldn't get DPS appointment for weeks), and within 2 business days someone from TWC's executive escalation team called me directly. They walked me through submitting alternative documents and got my verification approved without needing to go through ID.me at all. The key is to frame it as "I'm unable to access essential government benefits due to administrative barriers" rather than just complaining. Most rep offices have staff specifically assigned to help with unemployment issues since it's such a common problem. You can find your rep at house.texas.gov - just enter your zip code. Don't give up, there are definitely workarounds for this!

I'm dealing with a very similar situation right now! My license expired 3 weeks ago and I've been stuck in ID.me limbo ever since. Reading through all these responses has given me so much hope - I had no idea about the Trusted Referee option or contacting state reps for help. One thing I wanted to add that might help others: if you have an old passport (even expired), bring that along with your other documents for the Trusted Referee call. Even though mine expired 2 years ago, the ID.me representative said having multiple forms of government-issued ID, even expired ones, helps establish your identity pattern and makes the verification process smoother. Also, for anyone else in this boat - start the Trusted Referee process EARLY in the morning like around 7-8 AM if possible. I tried at 2 PM yesterday and was position 400+ in the queue, but when I started at 8 AM today I was only position 89. Still waiting but much more manageable! Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and workarounds. This community is a lifesaver when you're dealing with bureaucratic nightmares like this!

Thank you all for this incredibly helpful thread! I'm in a very similar situation - my Texas license expired last month and I've been completely stuck trying to get my unemployment benefits started. Reading through everyone's experiences and solutions has been a huge relief. I had no idea about the ID.me Trusted Referee option - that sounds like exactly what I need. I'm going to try that first thing tomorrow morning based on the advice about starting early to avoid the massive wait times. I also never considered contacting my state representative's office, but that makes total sense. If the Trusted Referee route doesn't work out, I'll definitely reach out to my rep's constituent services team. One quick question for those who successfully used the Trusted Referee process - did you need to have your documents in any specific format? Like, did they need to be scanned/photographed beforehand, or could you just show them to the camera during the video call? I want to make sure I'm fully prepared before I start the queue. Really appreciate everyone taking the time to share their workarounds and experiences. This is exactly the kind of real-world advice you can't find anywhere else!