The continuing saga NJ unemployment, ID.me etc.

[Opti]

The saga continues. I decided to leave the original thread lie. I pulled two of my three annual credit reports and was surprised to find ID.me had pulled mine on the day I spoke to the trusted rep. WTE? Aren't they supposed to verify my identity through a picture ID, my address, and an acceptable cellphone in my name? What the heck is up with a credit check?

I'm still in limbo, no case manager has reached out to me, and NJ is planning to have some limited in person services back in the DOL offices starting March 28. More than a week after in theory one of these magical case workers should have reached out to me.

I haven't pulled the third report yet. My cellphone is not my primary phone, so I prefer not to give out the number unless I have to. Too bad this idiot process would not accept the phone number I use as primary as my legit phone number.      Of the two reports I pulled, both had very old unused phone numbers on them. One was my cell number years ago b4 I didn't pay Virgin Mobile in time to save it.
So, I asked both agencies to remove those numbers. It will leave both with only my primary VOIP phone number listed. 


Anyone have any new ID.me stories or stories of hope with NJ unemployment March of last year and forward?

[Opti]

I may delete this entire thread. I am so sick of scammers and their emails. 

[teen persuasion]

One of the other libraries in my system did a webinar yesterday on Id.me for NYS unemployment, etc. Basically, we discussed problems we ran into, things that worked/didn't work, ways around problems.

They said the ID.me chatbot was useful for issues with ID.me (not NYS). Biggest problems were patrons who already had a NYS account from something else (ACA, DMV, hunting licence, tax, etc) but couldn't remember the password, didn't have access to the email used as login (for resetting password), and didn't have the phone they used when setting it up. They had a NYS phone number to resolve that issue, if you ever got thru to a person - but wrong state, not relevant for you.

They also talked about having issues with document scans/pix. They didn't like the smartphone scans of ID, had problems getting ID.me to accept them, but had better luck scanning on library copiers and uploading from a PC. We found the opposite - scanned pix got rejected because they had to be cropped, and ID.me didn't like the sizes, but the smartphone link to scan worked better for the people we'd helped. May be quality of camera on individual phones. They said it's not really an app to scan the ID it was actually a browser extension that took over the camera, something something something. There was discussion about file types accepted by ID.me - it claims to accept PDF, but everyone agreed only JPG actually worked.

There were several mentions of the 3 chances to get the scans to work, and if it doesn't then you have to do the interview. The interview works well, the staff are helpful - you hold up your ID, and they compare it to you, and you are GTG. Biggest problem was waiting in the queue for your interview, might take hours (library might close first!).

We discussed issues with lighting and other things interfering with the selfie matching your ID. Remove hats, remove glasses, sweep hair away from your face, no masks. Think: passport photo rules, but also - tiktok influencer great lighting (stay away from windows backlighting your head, use a ring light if you have it).

[teen persuasion]

Also, I got the impression that when you have trouble getting ID.me to accept your ID, it asks for more forms of ID. Which makes it even harder to get thru the process, which makes it more likely to reject you as possibly being a scammer (because that's precisely why states are using ID.me, to weed out the scammers).

It works great, for the straightforward cases. Not so much, for the unusual ones.

[Opti]

Mar 9, 2022 22:36:21 GMT -5 teen persuasion said:

Also, I got the impression that when you have trouble getting ID.me to accept your ID, it asks for more forms of ID. Which makes it even harder to get thru the process, which makes it more likely to reject you as possibly being a scammer (because that's precisely why states are using ID.me, to weed out the scammers).

It works great, for the straightforward cases. Not so much, for the unusual ones.

The annoying thing is I was cleared by the in person ID.me rep before Christmas last year.  I do not understand why I am in wait for an examiner hell. I called the top person for unemployment in NJ and just got a long winded VM. 

[Opti]

Mar 9, 2022 22:28:20 GMT -5 teen persuasion said:

One of the other libraries in my system did a webinar yesterday on Id.me for NYS unemployment, etc. Basically, we discussed problems we ran into, things that worked/didn't work, ways around problems.

They said the ID.me chatbot was useful for issues with ID.me (not NYS). Biggest problems were patrons who already had a NYS account from something else (ACA, DMV, hunting licence, tax, etc) but couldn't remember the password, didn't have access to the email used as login (for resetting password), and didn't have the phone they used when setting it up. They had a NYS phone number to resolve that issue, if you ever got thru to a person - but wrong state, not relevant for you.

They also talked about having issues with document scans/pix. They didn't like the smartphone scans of ID, had problems getting ID.me to accept them, but had better luck scanning on library copiers and uploading from a PC. We found the opposite - scanned pix got rejected because they had to be cropped, and ID.me didn't like the sizes, but the smartphone link to scan worked better for the people we'd helped. May be quality of camera on individual phones. They said it's not really an app to scan the ID it was actually a browser extension that took over the camera, something something something. There was discussion about file types accepted by ID.me - it claims to accept PDF, but everyone agreed only JPG actually worked.

There were several mentions of the 3 chances to get the scans to work, and if it doesn't then you have to do the interview. The interview works well, the staff are helpful - you hold up your ID, and they compare it to you, and you are GTG. Biggest problem was waiting in the queue for your interview, might take hours (library might close first!).

We discussed issues with lighting and other things interfering with the selfie matching your ID. Remove hats, remove glasses, sweep hair away from your face, no masks. Think: passport photo rules, but also - tiktok influencer great lighting (stay away from windows backlighting your head, use a ring light if you have it).

I think the best resolution my library system had was 600 dpi which worked. The issue was the automatic system could not or would not verify my cellphone number as being mine. I don't know why. I did have it fail on me when checking in somewhere for an interview. The system finally blurted out "system down' or something like that.

But that's part of my quibble with this system. Its too important to fail you in real time especially if the issue is availability of some system. That is the software's fault not yours. If this stupid system did a credit check on me looking for fraud, I should have been waived through. I am too underfunded to have bought a car in the last decade plus. I think that's why my last employer wasn't even mentioned in the two credit reports I did look at.

On file types I think only .jpg and .tiff work. I did find that in the documentation for NJ UE's use of the system. 

[Opti]

I'm in shock. There is an email saying NJ DOL is finally paying me and the money should be available in a couple days. I hope this is true.

[teen persuasion]

Mar 10, 2022 1:07:13 GMT -5 Opti said:

Mar 9, 2022 22:28:20 GMT -5 teen persuasion said:

One of the other libraries in my system did a webinar yesterday on Id.me for NYS unemployment, etc. Basically, we discussed problems we ran into, things that worked/didn't work, ways around problems.

They said the ID.me chatbot was useful for issues with ID.me (not NYS). Biggest problems were patrons who already had a NYS account from something else (ACA, DMV, hunting licence, tax, etc) but couldn't remember the password, didn't have access to the email used as login (for resetting password), and didn't have the phone they used when setting it up. They had a NYS phone number to resolve that issue, if you ever got thru to a person - but wrong state, not relevant for you.

They also talked about having issues with document scans/pix. They didn't like the smartphone scans of ID, had problems getting ID.me to accept them, but had better luck scanning on library copiers and uploading from a PC. We found the opposite - scanned pix got rejected because they had to be cropped, and ID.me didn't like the sizes, but the smartphone link to scan worked better for the people we'd helped. May be quality of camera on individual phones. They said it's not really an app to scan the ID it was actually a browser extension that took over the camera, something something something. There was discussion about file types accepted by ID.me - it claims to accept PDF, but everyone agreed only JPG actually worked.

There were several mentions of the 3 chances to get the scans to work, and if it doesn't then you have to do the interview. The interview works well, the staff are helpful - you hold up your ID, and they compare it to you, and you are GTG. Biggest problem was waiting in the queue for your interview, might take hours (library might close first!).

We discussed issues with lighting and other things interfering with the selfie matching your ID. Remove hats, remove glasses, sweep hair away from your face, no masks. Think: passport photo rules, but also - tiktok influencer great lighting (stay away from windows backlighting your head, use a ring light if you have it).

I think the best resolution my library system had was 600 dpi which worked. The issue was the automatic system could not or would not verify my cellphone number as being mine. I don't know why. I did have it fail on me when checking in somewhere for an interview. The system finally blurted out "system down' or something like that.

But that's part of my quibble with this system. Its too important to fail you in real time especially if the issue is availability of some system. That is the software's fault not yours. If this stupid system did a credit check on me looking for fraud, I should have been waived through. I am too underfunded to have bought a car in the last decade plus. I think that's why my last employer wasn't even mentioned in the two credit reports I did look at.

On file types I think only .jpg and .tiff work. I did find that in the documentation for NJ UE's use of the system. 

I'm still not entirely clear on how/why the cell phone carrier fits in.  What I think is the issue is: do you have a contract with a major cell carrier, as proxy for you are a real person, not a scammer.

But there's a whole class of cell carriers on the bad list.  And if you are low income (um, unemployed), you qualify for Medicaid, which means you qualify for Lifeline, which uses TracFone, which is on the no-go list of carriers.

[Opti]

I don't think they check the contracts with the cellphone carrier. It's basically been two years I have been paying my cellphone provider. I got a phone just before all of retail shutdown in NJ. They do a pull even, so it's not as if I have ever been late either. I traded the original phone in when I could not get it to make a call when my car broke down and needed a tow. I finally have a phone I can use, and I was just starting to learn it with help from a coworker when my boss's boss decided I needed to go.

But I didn't get why it did not come back I was the owner of the phone. I had even called the provider to insure it was listed under my full name, which it was. 

I think the program needs much work. It should have things written into it based on who they are working for. Like yes, they should handle TracFone if that's the Lifeline phone of choice. VOIP should work if you have a cable provider. More pay as you go phones should work too. 

[Opti]

I did get my unemployment money. I wasn't sure it would happen by the weekend or not. Finally, I can move on to other things.

[Lizard Queen]

Yay, 1 thing down. Now I hope you're able to get a great job that will put you back on your feet.

[NoNamePerson]

Mar 11, 2022 16:58:54 GMT -5 Lizard Queen said:

Yay, 1 thing down. Now I hope you're able to get a great job that will put you back on your feet.

[Deleted]

Mar 11, 2022 16:30:28 GMT -5 Opti said:

I did get my unemployment money. I wasn't sure it would happen by the weekend or not. Finally, I can move on to other things.

I’m so happy for you that it finally got worked out! I imagine that eased some of the stress you’ve been feeling. I am still rooting for you and hoping you find suitable employment soon.

[jerseygirl]

Mar 11, 2022 16:30:28 GMT -5 Opti said:

I did get my unemployment money. I wasn't sure it would happen by the weekend or not. Finally, I can move on to other things.

YAY!!! I’m sure you are very relieved and nice that you have it now in a lump sum
So how long was the delay? Half year??
Really outrageous that you were put through this stress

[jerseygirl]

Opt will you get yourself a treat to celebrate?
I’ll toast you with a glass of wine- red

[cooper88]

I'm so glad it finally came through! Woohoo!

[geenamercile]

Congrats and hopefully this will at least ease some of the stress for you.

[Opti]

Mar 11, 2022 17:57:49 GMT -5 jerseygirl said:

Opt will you get yourself a treat to celebrate?
I’ll toast you with a glass of wine- red

IDK. I would love my fave Thai meal, but not tonight. Had I thought of it earlier, I could have raided Whole Foods buffet. I ended up calling a friend with the good news and was on the phone a long time. 

I did want to buy wine or a port the other day when I was at Wegmans. 

[Opti]

Mar 11, 2022 17:49:23 GMT -5 jerseygirl said:

Mar 11, 2022 16:30:28 GMT -5 Opti said:

I did get my unemployment money. I wasn't sure it would happen by the weekend or not. Finally, I can move on to other things.

YAY!!! I’m sure you are very relieved and nice that you have it now in a lump sum
So how long was the delay? Half year??
Really outrageous that you were put through this stress

I didn't claim when I should have, so almost 4 months.