Verify your identity for unemployment benefits

The Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) may need to verify your identity to process your application for unemployment benefits.

How to verify your identity

If you need to verify your identity for unemployment benefits, DUA will notify you (by mail or email) within 72 hours of your application.

Your identity verification notice will include:

• Which identity verification method you need to follow (take the quiz, visit a post office, or mail documents to DUA). Follow the instructions in the notice, as each case is different.
• A deadline for completing these actions. If you don't respond by the deadline, you may be denied unemployment benefits.

Take the identity verification quiz

Online

Log in to your Unemployment Services for Workers account and select Respond to identity verification quiz in your dashboard. 

By phone

Call [phone] and follow the prompts to respond to the quiz

Visit a post office

If you need to visit a U.S. Postal Service (USPS) location to verify your identity:

• Find a USPS location near you that provides identity verification services
• Bring your photo ID and a copy of the identity verification notice from DUA. This notice contains a barcode that USPS needs to scan. It's OK if the verification notice is on your phone, you do not need to print it.

Find a participating USPS location 

Provide documents to DUA

This is rare. DUA may only ask for additional documents if you have filed an appeal.

Online

The identity verification letter will tell you what documents we need.

Log in to your Unemployment Services for Workers account and go to your Action Center to upload the required documents.

By mail

Send copies of the identity verification letter and the requested documents to:

Department of Unemployment Assistance
Attn: Program Integrity
100 Cambridge St, 4th Floor, Suite 400
Boston, MA 02114

Do not mail original documents, DUA can't return them to you.

Acceptable identify verification documents

Clear, unaltered copies of the following documents are accepted as proof of identity:

• A valid (not expired) government-issued photo ID that includes your name, date of birth, and a photo of you. For example:
  • The front and back of your unexpired driver's license
  • The front and back of your unexpired State ID 
  • Passport photo page
  • Permanent Resident Card 
• A document that includes your name and full social security number (SSN). For example:
  • Front and back of your Social Security card
  • A W2 or paystubs from a recent employer
  • DD214 or NGB 22
• If your current address is different from the address on your ID, you will also need to provide documentation of your current residential address (not a PO Box). For example:
  • Utility bill
  • Mortgage statement
  • Cable/internet bill
  • Bank statement

Photos of each document are okay. You may also need to upload a photo of yourself holding your photo ID next to your face.