MDDOL Beacon account flagged, need True ID approval - help with process?

I found a way to solve unemployment account flagged by Beacon, watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfNranpU1pE

Am I the only one who thinks its ridiculous that we have to jump through all these hoops just to get the benefits we're entitled to? The whole system needs an overhaul. 🤦‍♂️

Has anyone else noticed that the Beacon system is always "down for maintenance" at the most inconvenient times? It's like they're trolling us at this point. 🙄

Have you tried going to the unemployment office in person? Sometimes face-to-face is the way to go with these bureaucratic nightmares.

Hey OP, don't forget to check your spam folder regularly. Sometimes important emails from unemployment end up there. Learned that one the hard way. 🤦‍♀️

Navigating the unemployment process, especially when dealing with systems like Beacon and True ID, can be cumbersome. The first step is ensuring you have all the necessary documents ready. This includes your driver's license, social security card, and any other form of ID they may require. It’s crucial to have copies that are clear and legible. When you finally manage to speak to a representative, clarity and calmness are your best tools. Make sure to document every interaction thoroughly — note down dates, times, the names of people you spoke to, and the specifics of what was discussed. If you face prolonged difficulties in reaching someone, using a service like Claimyr can be an effective option, though it does come with a fee. However, always weigh the cost against how much time and stress it might save you. Additionally, some users have found success by contacting their local representatives, who can sometimes expedite processes. Remember, persistence and detailed documentation are key. The system may be flawed, but patiently navigating it is often the only way forward.

Ugh, been there done that. It's a total nightmare. Here's what worked for me: 1. Get ALL your docs ready. I'm talking driver's license, passport, social security card, birth certificate, blood type, dna sample... ok maybe not the last two 😅 but seriously, have everything on hand. 2. Be persistent. Call early in the morning, like right when they open. Keep trying if you don't get through. 3. When you do talk to someone, be super nice but also firm. Explain your situation clearly and ask for specific next steps. 4. Follow up! Don't just wait around after the call. If they say they'll do something, give it a day or two then call back to check on progress. Good luck! The system is a mess but hang in there.

Unpopular opinion: maybe try looking for a job instead of relying on unemployment? There's plenty of work out there if you're willing to do it. 🤷‍♂️

have you tried reaching out to your local representative? sometimes they can help push things through faster. worth a shot!

Pro tip: keep a log of every interaction you have with them. Date, time, who you spoke to, what was said. It'll save you a lot of headaches if you need to follow up or dispute anything later.

Thanks for all the advice, everyone. I'm gonna try calling first thing tomorrow morning. Fingers crossed I can get this sorted out soon. Bills are piling up and I'm getting nervous. 😰

Has anyone tried the unemployment subreddit? There's some really helpful info there sometimes. Might be worth checking out if you're still stuck.

lol good luck getting anyone on the phone. i've been trying for weeks and nada. 🤡

True ID is the worst. I had to upload my documents like 5 times before they finally accepted them. Make sure your pics are crystal clear and all info is visible. And triple check that you're sending exactly what they ask for. They're super picky.

True ID is such a joke. My friend uploaded a perfectly clear photo of his license and they rejected it because of "glare". Like, what glare?? The system is rigged I tell ya.

I'm in the exact same situation! Let me know if you figure out a solution. I've been stuck in limbo for weeks now. 😭

Just a heads up, I've heard they're doing random audits on accounts right now. Make sure all your info is up to date and accurate. Don't give them any reason to flag your account further.

I went through the exact same True ID verification nightmare a few months ago! Here's what finally worked for me: Make sure you're taking photos in good natural light (not fluorescent), hold your documents completely flat against a dark background, and don't use flash. For the selfie part, make sure your face is well-lit and matches your ID photo as closely as possible. Also, try uploading during off-peak hours - I had better luck late at night when their servers weren't overloaded. The whole process took me about 3 weeks total, but once it went through, my benefits were backdated. Stay patient and keep trying different photo angles if they keep rejecting your docs. You've got this! 💪

Hey Ethan! I went through this exact same situation last month and it was definitely stressful, but I got through it. Here's what helped me: First, make sure you have multiple forms of ID ready - driver's license, passport if you have one, and your Social Security card. For the True ID verification, the photo quality is CRUCIAL. I had to retake mine 3 times because of lighting issues. Use natural light, hold your ID completely flat, and make sure there's no glare or shadows. When you call, try right at 8am when they open - I found that's when you have the best chance of getting through. Also, be prepared to wait on hold for a while, but don't hang up! Once you get someone on the line, be polite but persistent about getting a timeline for resolution. Document everything - names, reference numbers, dates. It took about 2 weeks total for my account to get unflagged, but my benefits were backdated once it was resolved. Hang in there, you'll get through this! 🙏

I'm going through the exact same True ID verification process right now and it's been such a headache! Reading through all these comments has been really helpful though. @Alice Pierce your tips about natural lighting and calling at 8am are spot on - I finally got through yesterday morning using that strategy. One thing I'd add is to make sure your address on file matches exactly what's on your ID. I got delayed because I had moved recently and there was a mismatch. Also, if you have any old unemployment paperwork or wage statements, keep those handy - they asked me for my last employer's info to verify my claim. The whole system is definitely broken but at least we're all helping each other navigate it! Keep us posted on your progress @Ethan Moore - rooting for you! 💪

I've been dealing with a similar True ID verification issue for the past few weeks, and I finally got some movement on my case! Here's what I learned that might help: When you take photos of your documents, use a scanner app on your phone instead of just the regular camera - apps like CamScanner or Adobe Scan create much clearer, higher contrast images that seem to get accepted more often. Also, I discovered that if you get rejected multiple times, you can actually call the True ID support line directly (separate from unemployment) at 1-833-704-2378. They were able to tell me exactly what was wrong with my photos and even stayed on the line while I retook them. The rep mentioned that many rejections happen because people crop their photos too tightly - make sure you can see the full edges of your ID with some background space. One last tip: if you're getting frustrated with the phone system, try using the callback feature instead of staying on hold. You'll get a call back when an agent is available, which saved my sanity! Good luck everyone - this process is terrible but we'll all get through it! 🤞

Hey @Ethan Moore! I just went through this exact same process a couple months ago and totally feel your pain. The True ID verification is such a nightmare but here's what finally worked for me: Make sure you're in a well-lit room (I used my kitchen with good overhead lighting), lay your documents on a dark colored surface like a black folder or dark table, and take the photos straight down - no angles. For the selfie, make sure your hair isn't covering any part of your face that shows on your ID. I got rejected 4 times before figuring out it was because my hair was slightly different from my license photo! Also, try submitting everything on a weekday morning around 10am - I think their system processes faster then. The whole thing took about 3 weeks total but once it went through, I got all my back payments. Hang in there, you've got this! And definitely keep calling at 8am sharp like others mentioned - persistence is key with these systems. Keep us posted on how it goes! 🤞

I just went through the True ID nightmare myself and wanted to share what finally got me unstuck! The key thing that worked for me was calling the Maryland unemployment office at exactly 7:58am and staying on the line until they opened at 8am - I got through on my third try doing this. When I finally spoke to someone, I had all my documents ready: driver's license, social security card, and a recent utility bill. For the True ID photos, use your phone's portrait mode if you have it - it creates better contrast and clarity. Also make sure your face is completely unobstructed and matches your ID as closely as possible (same facial hair, similar expression, etc.). The rep told me they're seeing a lot of flags right now due to increased fraud detection, but once you get the right person on the phone, they can often expedite the process. Mine took about 10 business days total once I got through to them. Don't give up - the system is broken but there are real people there who want to help! Also keep checking your email AND spam folder obsessively. Good luck! 🍀

I went through this exact same situation about 6 weeks ago and it was absolutely maddening! Here's my step-by-step process that finally worked: First, gather EVERYTHING - driver's license, social security card, passport if you have one, birth certificate, and any recent utility bills. For True ID photos, this is crucial: use a solid dark background (I used a black piece of paper), take photos in natural daylight near a window (not direct sunlight), and hold your documents completely flat. No shadows, no glare, no angles - straight down shots only. I failed 3 times before getting this right. The selfie part is tricky too - make sure your face matches your ID photo as closely as possible. Same hairstyle, facial hair, even try to match your expression. For calling, I had success with the "call at 7:59am and wait" strategy others mentioned. When you do get through, have your case number ready and be prepared to explain everything clearly. The rep I spoke to was actually really helpful once I got past the initial phone maze. Document everything - dates, times, names, reference numbers. My whole process took about 3 weeks from start to finish, but I got all my back payments once it was resolved. It's a broken system but persistence really does pay off. You've got this! 💪

I went through the exact same True ID flagging issue about 2 months ago and I completely understand the stress you're going through! Here's what finally worked for me after multiple failed attempts: For the True ID verification photos, lighting is absolutely everything. I had to retake mine 4 times before I figured out the trick - use natural light from a window (not direct sun), place your documents on a completely flat dark surface like a black folder or dark countertop, and take the photo straight down with no angles whatsoever. Make sure there's zero glare or shadows on your ID. For calling in, I found success using the "call at 7:58am strategy" that others have mentioned - get in the queue right before they officially open at 8am. It took me 5 attempts but I finally got through. When you do connect with someone, have all your info ready: full name, SSN, case/claim number if you have one, and be prepared to verify your identity multiple times. One thing that really helped speed up my case was having a printed timeline of events ready - when your account was flagged, what steps you've already taken, etc. The rep appreciated that I was organized and it seemed to help them navigate my case faster. The whole process took about 2.5 weeks from start to resolution, but once it went through, all my back payments were processed. It's a frustrating system but there is light at the end of the tunnel! Keep us posted on your progress - we're all rooting for you! 🤞

I'm going through something similar right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! Based on everyone's advice, I'm planning to try the 7:58am calling strategy tomorrow with all my documents ready. Quick question though - for those who successfully got through the True ID verification, did you have to upload documents through the Beacon portal or was it a separate True ID website? I want to make sure I'm submitting everything in the right place. Also, has anyone had luck with the live chat feature on the unemployment website, or is calling really the only way to get real help? Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it's reassuring to know we're not alone in this bureaucratic maze! 🤝

Hey @Ethan Moore! I went through this exact same True ID nightmare about a month ago and I totally feel your frustration. Here's what finally worked for me after weeks of failed attempts: First, make sure you're taking your ID photos during the day with natural light from a window (but not direct sunlight). I used a black piece of paper as a background and held my documents completely flat - no curves or angles at all. The photos need to be crystal clear with zero glare or shadows. For calling, definitely try the 7:58am strategy others have mentioned. Get in the queue before they officially open at 8am. It took me 3 tries but I finally got through. When you do connect, have everything ready: your SSN, any case numbers, and a clear explanation of your situation. One thing that helped speed up my case was being super polite but persistent with the rep. I also kept detailed notes of every interaction - dates, names, what was discussed. The whole process took about 3 weeks total, but I got all my back payments once it was resolved. The system is definitely broken, but don't give up! There are real people there who genuinely want to help once you can reach them. Keep us posted on your progress - we're all rooting for you! 🙏

I just went through this exact same True ID verification process last month and it was absolutely brutal, but I finally got through it! Here's what worked for me after multiple failed attempts: For the True ID photos, the key is perfect lighting and setup. I used my kitchen table with a black placemat as the background, took photos near a large window during midday (around 11am-1pm when the light is strongest but not harsh), and made sure to hold my documents completely flat against the surface. No angles, no shadows, no glare whatsoever. I failed twice before getting this right. For the phone calls, the 7:58am strategy is absolutely legit - I got through on my second attempt doing this. Have your SSN, any reference numbers, and a brief summary of your situation written down before you call. The rep I spoke with was actually really helpful once I got past the phone maze. One thing I wish I'd known earlier - they're currently doing extra verification checks due to increased fraud, so even legitimate claims are getting flagged more often. It's not personal, just their system being overly cautious. The whole process took me about 2.5 weeks from flag to resolution, but I got all my back payments. Stay persistent and don't let the broken system discourage you - there's definitely light at the end of the tunnel! 💪 Keep us updated on your progress! We're all in this together.

I went through this exact same True ID flagging situation about 3 months ago and totally understand your stress! Here's what finally worked for me after tons of trial and error: For the True ID photos - this is absolutely critical - use natural daylight from a window (not direct sun), place your documents on a solid black surface (I used a black folder), and take photos straight down with zero angles. Make sure there's no glare, shadows, or reflections anywhere on your ID. I had to retake mine 5 times before getting it right! For calling, the 7:58am strategy everyone's mentioning is legit - get in their phone queue right before they open at 8am. Took me 4 attempts but I finally got through to someone who was actually helpful. When you do get connected, have everything ready: SSN, any case/reference numbers, and a clear timeline of what's happened. Be super polite but persistent - the reps deal with frustrated people all day, so being nice really helps. The whole process took me about 3 weeks total, but once it was resolved, I got all my back payments. The system is definitely broken, but there are real people trying to help once you can reach them. One last tip: check your email AND spam folder obsessively. I almost missed an important verification email that ended up in spam. Hang in there - you'll get through this! Keep us posted on how it goes! 🤞