Reporting Systems for Employers and Third-Party Agents
The Maryland Unemployment Insurance Portal (BEACON)
The Maryland Unemployment Insurance Portal (BEACON) allows employers and third-party agents to complete tasks related to benefits, appeals, and tax functions.
- Maryland Unemployment Insurance Portal (BEACON) for employers login
- Maryland Unemployment Insurance Portal (BEACON) for third-party agents login
Employers can also use the MD Unemployment for Employers mobile app to complete some tasks. The app is free to download from the iOS App Store and the Google Play Store.
OnMaryland Unemployment Insurance Portal (BEACON), employers can:
- Submit required reports and information
- Update account information such as address, contact, and ownership
- Access their tax rate and other related information
- Submit wage reports and pay contributions
- Submit adjustments to previously filed wage reports
- Respond to Requests for Separation Information
- File an appeal
- Submit supporting documents for appeals or adjudication
- View all correspondence generated by the system
- Set up an agent to manage their account
OnMaryland Unemployment Insurance Portal (BEACON), third-party agents can:
- Submit a power of attorney online and access their customer’s account based on their privileges granted by the power of attorney
- File wage reports on behalf of their clients
- Make contribution payments on behalf of their clients
- File appeals on behalf of their clients
- Obtain rate information for their clients
Select “register for an account” and follow the prompts on the:
More instructions can be found on the Maryland Unemployment Insurance Portal (BEACON) websites.
To learn about other functions and get instructions, visit the Maryland Unemployment Insurance Portal (BEACON) for employers and for third-party agents.
State Information Data Exchange System (SIDES)
The State Information Data Exchange System (SIDES) is a simple tool to help employers respond to unemployment insurance requests quickly, easily, and accurately.
SIDES can significantly improve the unemployment information exchange process for employers by:
- Providing timely responses, avoiding late penalty assessments
- Helping ensure the proper decision on claimant eligibility
- Reducing staff time, paperwork, and postage costs
- Reducing follow-up requests and phone calls
- Ensuring protection of sensitive employer and claimant data
- Providing an electronic, nationally standardized data format
- Including data checks to ensure the exchange of complete and valid information
- Allowing attachment of supporting documentation
SIDES is made up of two systems: SIDES E-Response and SIDES Web Services.
SIDES E-Response
SIDES E-Response is for employers with a limited number of unemployment insurance claims (less than 30 per week). SIDES E-Response is a free, easy, and efficient website to respond to unemployment insurance information requests from the Maryland Division of Unemployment Insurance.
If you use a third-party agent to handle the processing of your employees’ unemployment insurance claims or wage requests, please consult with them before using SIDES e-Response.
SIDES Web Services
SIDES Web Services is for employers and third-party agents who typically deal with a large volume of unemployment insurance claims (over 30 per week). SIDES Web Services provides an automated, computer-to-computer interface between the employers’ and third-party agents' IT systems and a state’s IT systems.
SIDES E‐Response requires only a working internet connection and an employee who will enter the needed information.
When using SIDES E-Response, make sure that emails from the Maryland Division of Unemployment Insurance aren’t blocked or sent to spam. Electronic notifications regarding SIDES E-Response will be sent from and viewed in the Maryland Unemployment Insurance Portal (BEACON).
System Requirements for SIDES E-Response:
- Internet Explorer version 11 or higher
- Chrome version 44 or higher
- Firefox version 37 or higher
- JavaScript must be turned on
- Minimum screen resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels
SIDES Web Services requires programming to connect an employer’s or TPA’s internal IT system to the SIDES central broker. Employers and third-party agents need to assess the cost of integrating their IT system with SIDES. The cost will depend on your existing systems. SIDES was developed using open source design and follows industry standards.
All Maryland employers who respond to a Request for Separation Information or to an Earnings Verification Request using the Maryland Unemployment Insurance Portal (BEACON) will automatically be redirected to SIDES E-Response if you have the following:
- Active Maryland Account with a valid Maryland State Employer Account Number
- Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN)
- Pending Request for Separation Information or pending Earnings Verification Request
Use the SIDES E-Response website to reply to a paper Request for Separation Information or Earnings Verification. The Internet Key/PIN provided on the Request for Separation Information and Earnings Verification Request forms will serve as the PIN/Access Code on the SIDES E-Response website.
SIDES user guides:
The Maryland State Directory of New Hires
Employers are required to report all employees who are hired or rehired to the Maryland State Directory of New Hires within 20 days of the employee's first day of work either:
- In the online Maryland State Directory of New Hires
- By sending completed new hire reports by fax to 410-281-6004 or toll-free fax to 1-888-657-3534
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By sending completed new hire reports by mail to:
Maryland State Directory of New Hires
P.O. Box 1316
Baltimore, MD 21203-1316
Employers are required to report the following information:
- Employee's name and Social Security number
- Employee's home address
- Employee's first physical day of work on the job
- Employer's name and address
- Maryland Unemployment Insurance Employer Account Number
- Federal Employer Identification Number
- Whether health insurance is available
Questions?
Email the Maryland SIDES Team at DLUISIDES-labor@maryland.gov or call the Employer Call Center at 410-949-0033 or toll-free at 1-800-492-5524, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.