I'm dealing with a very similar True ID verification issue right now and this entire thread has been incredibly helpful! Reading through everyone's experiences gives me hope that this nightmare will eventually end. I've been stuck in limbo for about 2 weeks now and was starting to panic about my bills piling up. Based on all the advice here, I'm going to try the natural lighting + black background photo setup that so many people have had success with. I've been taking photos with my regular camera in poor lighting, which probably explains why I keep getting rejections. The 7:58am calling strategy sounds like a game changer too - I had no idea about getting in the queue before they officially open. I've been calling randomly throughout the day and never getting through. @Ethan Moore - we're all rooting for you! This community has shown that while the system is absolutely broken, people do eventually get through it with persistence. Keep us updated on your progress, and don't give up! 💪 Thank you to everyone who shared their detailed experiences and tips. It's so reassuring to know we're not alone in dealing with this bureaucratic mess!

I went through this exact same True ID verification process about 2 months ago and it was absolutely terrible, but I did eventually get through it! Here's what finally worked for me after weeks of frustration: For the photos, lighting is absolutely critical. I set up by a large window around 11am (good natural light but not harsh), used a solid black poster board as my background, and made sure my documents were completely flat - no curves or wrinkles at all. Take the photos straight down, no angles whatsoever. I failed the photo verification 4 times before getting this setup right. For getting through on the phone, the early morning strategy is legit - I called at 7:57am to get in the queue before they officially opened at 8am. It took me 5 attempts over different days, but I finally got through to a really helpful rep who walked me through exactly what was wrong with my submissions. The whole process took about 3.5 weeks from start to finish, but once everything was approved, I got all my back payments deposited within a few days. It's such a broken and frustrating system, but don't give up - persistence really does pay off! Also, definitely keep checking both your regular email and spam folder obsessively. I almost missed a critical verification email that ended up in spam. Hang in there - you'll get through this! 💪

I've been stuck in the Maryland unemployment backpay nightmare since May 2021 and this thread has been incredibly helpful - thank you all for sharing your real experiences! I'm planning to try the combination approach that's worked for others: the 1-1-3 phone tree method, filing complaints with both the AG's office and DOL ombudsman, and calling the Maryland Legal Aid hotline. One thing I wanted to ask - has anyone had success using social media to get attention on their case? I've seen some people mention tweeting at @MarylandDOL or posting on their Facebook page to create public pressure. I'm also wondering if anyone has tried contacting local news stations - seems like there are enough of us dealing with this that it could be a story worth covering. I know it sounds desperate but after 8+ months of waiting, I'm willing to try anything! Going to start making those calls tomorrow and will keep detailed records like everyone suggested. This community gives me hope that there's actually light at the end of this tunnel. Stay strong everyone - we shouldn't have to fight this hard for money we're legally entitled to, but at least we're not fighting alone!

I've been waiting since March 2021 for my Maryland unemployment backpay and this thread has been incredibly valuable! After reading everyone's experiences, I'm ready to try the multi-pronged approach that seems to work best. I'm going to start with the 1-1-3 phone tree method that Evelyn and others have had success with, and I'll definitely keep that detailed spreadsheet of calls like Kiara suggested. I also plan to file complaints with both the AG's office and the DOL ombudsman program - having those multiple pressure points makes total sense. The Maryland Legal Aid clinic info from GalaxyGuardian is going on my to-do list for this week too. It's frustrating that we have to become experts in navigating this broken system just to get money we're legally entitled to, but I'm grateful for this community sharing what actually works instead of the generic DOL website runaround. Going to start making calls tomorrow morning and will update with my progress. For anyone else still fighting this - we've got this! The success stories here prove the money is there, we just have to persist through the bureaucracy to get it.