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Help With Identity Verification

The Maryland Division of Unemployment Insurance is committed to reducing unemployment insurance fraud. To do this, the Division uses various methods to make sure: 

Please note: If you need to go through the identity verification process, your claim will not be processed until it is successfully completed.

How to start verifying your identity

When a claim is filed or re-opened in the Maryland Unemployment Insurance Portal (BEACON), you will be asked a number of questions to verify your identity, including confirming your phone number through a one time passcode via a text message or phone call. If you are unable to accurately respond to these questions, you will need to either select:

  • I will complete the TrueID process
  • I do not have a smartphone or tablet, or I do not wish to complete the TrueID process online
    • If you select this option, you can complete the TrueID process in-person. Learn more about completing the identity verification process in-person.
    • Note: If you do not verify your identity in-person within 7 days, you will receive a decision (sent through your preferred communication method; email, text message, or mail). Your claim for benefits will not be processed until we can verify your identity. You have the right to appeal this decision.
  • I want to speak to a live agent
    • This option connects you to a claims agent that can answer your questions about TrueID, but please note the agent can not complete the process for you.

Note: If you are prompted to begin the TrueID process and you do not make a selection, you will receive a decision through your preferred communication method (email, text message, or mail). Your claim for benefits will not be processed until we can verify your identity. You can appeal this decision.

If you are locked out of your Maryland Unemployment Insurance Portal (BEACON) account, the Maryland Division of Unemployment Insurance may ask you to complete the True ID process to protect your identity and personal information.  

Completing the identity verification process online

What do I need to complete TrueID online?

You will need:

  • A valid (not expired) driver’s license or state-issued ID card (from any U.S. state)
    OR
  • A valid (not expired) passport book or passport card (from any country)

You will also need:

  • A smartphone or tablet that can take quality pictures and can connect to the internet
    AND
  • A phone number or email address you can access using the smartphone or tablet that you taking the picture with

Does the type of cell phone or tablet matter?
Yes, it must be a smartphone or tablet connected to the internet with a camera and latest version of the Android or iOS (Apple) operating system.

  • If you have an Android device, you must use your front camera.
  • You must take the picture during the TrueID process.
  • You must take the picture with the same device that you are using to complete the TrueID process. For example, you cannot begin the TrueID process on your smartphone, and take a picture of your ID using a friend’s device.

Can I use another person’s cell phone or tablet?
Yes. If you do not own a smartphone or tablet but you have access to one (such as one that belongs to a family member), you may use the smartphone to complete the TrueID process. The phone number or email address does not have to be associated with you to complete the TrueID process.

Steps for completing the TrueID process on your smartphone or tablet

  1. Go to your Action Item in the Maryland Unemployment Insurance Portal (BEACON). To access your Action Item, select the “Action Items” link under the “Alerts & Messages” section. Select the “Action Item” to begin TrueID.
  2. Select your preferred communication method. Choose either "Text" and enter your phone number, or "Email message" and enter your email address. Next select "Send Link." 
  3. Open the text or email on the same phone or tablet you used to accessMaryland Unemployment Insurance Portal (BEACON), and select the TrueID link.
  4. Follow the prompts to take a picture of your valid photo ID (driver’s license, state ID card, passport, or passport card). A picture you took previously, or a scanned copy of your ID, will not be accepted.
  5. Follow the prompts to take a picture of yourself (a “selfie”) to confirm your photo ID.

How do I know if the TrueID process is complete?

If you pass TrueID, you will receive an 8-digit confirmation number. You must enter this code into the Maryland Unemployment Insurance Portal (BEACON) within 48 hours (2 days) to complete the TrueID process.

If you do not receive a confirmation number or you see a notice stating you did not pass TrueID, you can repeat TrueID   by selecting the previous TrueID action item. You can only attempt the TrueID 2 times.

If you do not pass TrueID:

  • If you are trying to file or re-open a claim, you will receive a link to go to a participating U.S. Postal Service post office to verify your identity in-person.
  • If you are trying to update your Maryland Unemployment Insurance Portal (BEACON) login information or profile, you will need to call a claims agent at 667-207-6520 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Within 7 calendar days of not passing the TrueID process , you must register for the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) Identity Verification Process. You will receive an email or text message (based on your preferred communication method) with a link to the “United States Department of Labor Identification Verification Page.”

  1. When you follow the link, you will need to select the “I understand” button to move forward.
  2. Next, you will see a list of identity documents that you can and cannot use to verify your identity with USPS.
  3. You will then enter your current physical and email address, and select “Submit.”
  4. A barcode will show on your screen and be emailed to you. You will need to show this barcode at the post office. This email will also provide important information to follow when you get to the post office, including how to find a post office that conducts identity verification.

After you complete the process at the post office, you will receive the results within 24 hours in the Maryland Unemployment Insurance Portal (BEACON).

If you still cannot verify your identity, call a claims agent at 667-207-6520 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Completing the identity verification process in-person

If you are unable to complete the TrueID process online, you can bring your ID to a Maryland American Job Center (AJC) that is listed below. At the AJC, a staff member will help you complete the TrueID process, but can not make a decision on the claim you filed.

When your ID is verified in-person, the AJC staff will share a notice with you stating that you passed and a confirmation code. You will need to log in to the Maryland Unemployment Insurance Portal (BEACON) and enter your confirmation code within 48 hours (2 days).

What do I need to complete TrueID in-person?

You will need:

  • A valid (not expired) driver’s license or state-issued ID card (from any U.S. state)
    OR
  • A valid (not expired) passport book or passport card (from any country)

American Job Centers that can help with the True ID process

Anne Arundel County Career Center
Serving Anne Arundel County
613 Global Way
Linthicum, MD 21090
Phone: 410-424-3240
Open Monday - Friday from 8 a.m to 4 p.m.
Baltimore City One-Stop Career Center-Eastside
Serving Baltimore City
3001 E. Madison Street
Baltimore, MD 21205
Phone: 410-396-9030
Open Monday - Friday from 8 a.m to 4 p.m.
Baltimore County Workforce Development Center at Eastpoint
Serving Baltimore County
7930 Eastern Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21224
Phone: 410-288-9050
Open Monday - Friday from 8 a.m to 4 p.m.
Carroll County Workforce Development
Serving Carroll County
224 N. Center Street
Westminster, MD 21157
Phone: 410-386-2820
Open Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Columbia Workforce Center
Serving Howard County
7161 Columbia Gateway Drive, Suite D
Columbia, MD 21046
Phone: 410-290-2600
Open Monday - Friday from 8 a.m to 4 p.m.
Frederick County American Job Center
Serving Frederick County
200 Monroe Ave., Ste.1 Frederick, MD 21701
Phone: 301-600-2255
Open Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Lower Shore American Job Center
Serving Lower Shore (Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester Counties)
31901 Tri-County Way, Suite 111
Salisbury, MD 21804
Phone: 410-341-6515
Open Monday - Friday from 8 a.m to 4 p.m.
Prince George’s County American Job Center - Largo
Serving Prince George’s County
1801 McCormick Drive, Suite 120
Largo, MD 20774
Phone: 301-618-8425
Open Monday - Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Friday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Montgomery County American Job Center
Serving Montgomery County
11510 Georgia Avenue
Wheaton, Maryland 20902
Phone: 301-929-6680
Open Monday - Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Friday 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Southern Maryland American Job Center JobSource
Serving Charles, St. Mary’s, and Calvert Counties
175 Post Office Road
Waldorf, MD 20602
Phone: 301-645-8712
Open Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Susquehanna Workforce Center - Elkton
Serving Cecil and Harford Counties
1275 West Pulaski Hwy
Elkton, MD 21921
Phone: 410-996-0550
Open Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Upper Shore American Job Center- Easton
Serving Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot Counties
301 Bay Street, Suite 301
Easton, MD 21601
Phone: 410-822-3030
Open Monday - Friday from 8 a.m to 4 p.m.
Western Maryland American Job Center
Serving Washington County
14 N. Potomac Street, Suite 100
Hagerstown, MD 21740
Phone: 301-393-8200
Open Monday - Wednesday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Western Maryland American Job Center
Serving Allegany and Garrett County
138 Baltimore St.
Cumberland, MD 21502
Phone: 301-777-1221
Open Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

How do I know if the TrueID process is complete?

If you pass TrueID, you will receive an 8-digit confirmation number from the AJC staff. You must enter this code into the Maryland Unemployment Insurance Portal (BEACON) within 48 hours (2 days) to complete the TrueID process.

If you do not pass TrueID while trying to file or re-open a claim, you will receive a link to go to a participating U.S. Postal Service post office to verify your identity in-person.

If you do not pass TrueID while trying to update your Maryland Unemployment Insurance (BEACON) log in or profile, you will need to call a claims agent at at 667-207-6520 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Within 7 calendar days of not passing the TrueID process , you must register for the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) Identity Verification Process. You will receive an email or text message (based on your preferred communication method) with a link to the “United States Department of Labor Identification Verification Page.”

  1. When you follow the link, you will need to select the “I understand” button to move forward.
  2. Next, you will see a list of identity documents that you can and cannot use to verify your identity with USPS.
  3. You will then enter your current physical and email address, and select “Submit.”
  4. A barcode will show on your screen and be emailed to you. You will need to show this barcode at the post office. This email will also provide important information to follow when you get to the post office, including how to find a post office that conducts identity verification.

After you complete the process at the post office, you will receive the results within 24 hours in the Maryland Unemployment Insurance Portal (BEACON).

If you still cannot verify your identity, call a claims agent at 667-207-6520 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Frequently asked questions about identity verification

Call a claims agent at 667-207-6520 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for information about other ways to verify your identity.

If you cannot complete the identity verification process, please call a claims agent at 667-207-6520 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to learn about other options.

If we cannot verify your identity, you will receive a decision (sent through your preferred communication method; email, text message, or mail) stating that we are unable to verify your identity. Your claim for benefits will not be processed until we can verify your identity. You have the right to appeal the decision.

No. Maryland’s TrueID tool does not use AI or facial recognition to verify an individual’s identity.
You may be prompted to complete the TrueID verification process when you apply for unemployment insurance benefits or when you update your information in the Maryland Unemployment Insurance Portal (BEACON).

Complete a Request for Investigation of Unemployment Insurance Fraud form. Send the completed form: 

  • By email to ui.fraud@maryland.gov
    OR
  • By mail to Maryland Department of Labor, ATTN: Benefit Payment Control, 100 South Charles Street, Tower 1, Baltimore, MD 21201.

Learn more about unemployment insurance fraud.

Quick Links

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Maryland Department of Labor

100 S. Charles Street, Tower I, Baltimore, MD 21201

Dial 7-1-1 to place a call through Maryland Relay

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