Rep. Billy Bob Faulkingham welcomes Timothy and Benjamin Hunt as Honorary Pages

CareerCenters Can Now Help with Common Unemployment Insurance Questions

Many Mainers are unemployed in the winter due to the seasonal nature of their jobs. The Department encourages people to apply for unemployment benefits for which they may be eligible and recognizes that this increase in people applying may cause long wait times to speak to an unemployment representative. Unemployment staff are doing their best to respond to over 1,000 phone calls a week and over 350 online inquiries a day. In order to help claimants get their questions answered as quickly as possible, the Department is now providing an additional avenue for resolving issues such as being locked out of their account or needing to have their password reset. Certain CareerCenters will now have staff available to address these basic unemployment questions from 12:30- 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Staff can help with accessing unemployment accounts and resetting passwords from 12:30 – 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at the following locations:

• Augusta CareerCenter - 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta
• Bangor CareerCenter – 45 Oak Street, Suite 3, Bangor
• Northern Kennebec Valley CareerCenter – 23 Stanley Rd., Hinckley
• Lewiston CareerCenter – 5 Mollison Way, Lewiston
• Presque Isle CareerCenter – 66 Spruce St., Suite 1, Presque Isle
• Greater Portland CareerCenter – 151Jetport Blvd., Portland
• Rockland CareerCenter – 91 Camden St., Suite 201, Rockland

For more complicated issues, claimants need to call the unemployment claims center at 1-800-593-7660 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. Monday through Friday, or leave an online message on our Customer Messaging Portal which is available 24/7: https://www.maine.gov/labor/contact/index.html

Information About REAL ID

Beginning October 1, 2020, you will need a REAL-ID compliant driver's license, identification card or an acceptable alternative form of identification to board domestic commercial flights or enter a federal facility without a secondary form of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) approved identification.

When applying for a Real ID Maine license or identification card, you must present documents that demonstrate:

1. Identity (name and birth date); and
2. Lawful status in the United States; and
3. A valid Social Security number or proof of ineligibility; and
4. Maine residency (at least two documents are required).

What happens after October 1, 2020?

Beginning October 1, 2020, you will need a REAL-ID compliant driver's license, identification card or an acceptable alternative form of identification to board domestic commercial flights or enter a federal facility without a secondary form of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) approved identification.

Can I board a plane with the driver's license or identification card I have now?

Yes. Current Maine issued driver's licenses and identification cards will remain acceptable as identification for boarding domestic commercial flights under the current extension until October 1, 2020.

Upcoming Public Hearings

Now that the Second Regular Session is in full swing, legislative committees are busy holding public hearings and work sessions. Visit here for a complete list of scheduled committee work.