Step-by-step guide to activating and logging into your BEACON One-Stop Claimant Portal in 2026 — including what to do when you don’t remember your PIN, plus a quick refresher on Maryland unemployment basics.
✓ Current Status (2026 Snapshot)
- Claimant portal: beacon.labor.maryland.gov (BEACON One-Stop Claimant Portal).
- Account activation page: /ClaimantAccountActivation.
- Weekly Benefit Amount: $50 minimum – $430 maximum per week.
- Duration: Up to 26 weeks within a 52-week benefit year.
- Mobile app: “MD Unemployment for Claimants” (Google Play / App Store).
- Sources: Maryland DOL — BEACON Claimant Help.
In this tutorial you’ll learn how to:
- Activate and log into your BEACON One-Stop Claimant Portal account.
- Activate your account when your PIN is unknown or forgotten.
This walkthrough is for claimants who have filed Maryland unemployment benefits in the past. If you’ve never filed before, you’ll need to create a new claim first. For a complete overview of Maryland unemployment rules, visit our Maryland unemployment guide.
⚡ Quick Start
- Go to beacon.labor.maryland.gov and click “Account Activation”.
- Enter your SSN and PIN (or check the “Don’t Have PIN or Forgot PIN” box).
- Create a unique username, click Validate.
- Set a password + three security questions (no repeats).
- Record your User ID and click Log In.
- Enter your username and password on the Claimant Account Login screen.
Before You Start
Gather this information before opening BEACON:
- Your Social Security Number (SSN).
- Your 4-digit PIN (created when you first filed for unemployment in Maryland) — or be ready to use the forgot-PIN process if you don’t remember it.
- The email address, ZIP code, and street number Maryland DOL has on file (BEACON uses these for the dynamic challenge question if you forgot your PIN).
- A modern browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari) — or the official Maryland mobile app.
The official portal URL is:
https://beacon.labor.maryland.gov/ReBEACONClaimant/Account/Login
Account Activation (PIN Known)
Use this process if you’ve filed for Maryland unemployment benefits in the past and still have your PIN on record.
Step 1 — Open the Account Activation screen
From the BEACON home screen, select the Account Activation icon.
Step 2 — Enter your SSN and PIN
On the Maryland Account Activation home screen, enter your Social Security Number and PIN, then click Login.
Step 3 — Choose a username
On the User Registration Maintenance screen, enter a username and click Validate. The username must be at least 8 characters and can be any combination of letters and numbers.
Step 4 — Set your password and security questions
Enter a strong password, then choose three security questions and answers.
⚠️ Important
You may not repeat security questions, and you may not reuse security answers. Write your answers down somewhere safe — you’ll need them if you forget your password or PIN in the future.
Step 5 — Record your User ID and log in
Record the User ID shown on screen for future reference, then click Log In.
On the Claimant Account Login screen, enter the username and password you just created.
Click Login. You’re now logged into your BEACON One-Stop Claimant Portal — activation is complete.
Account Activation When PIN Is Unknown
Use this process if you filed for unemployment in the past but no longer have access to the PIN that was assigned to you.
Step 1 — Open Account Activation
Select the Account Activation icon from the BEACON home screen.
Step 2 — Check “Don’t Have PIN or Forgot PIN”
Enter your Social Security Number, then check the “Don’t Have PIN or Forgot PIN” box. Click Login.
Step 3 — Answer the dynamic challenge question
On the Forgot PIN Maintenance screen, BEACON will ask you one of three randomly chosen questions based on the information Maryland DOL has on file:
- What is your email?
- What is your ZIP code?
- What is your street number?
Answer accurately and click Save.
💡 Pro Tip
BEACON checks your answer against the contact info on file at the time you last filed a claim. If you’ve moved or changed your email since then, use your old information. If none of the three answers match, you’ll need to call Maryland DOL Claimant Support at 667-207-6520 to manually verify your identity.
Step 4 — Choose a username, password, and security questions
Enter a username and click Validate. Then set your password and select three security questions with unique answers. Click Save.
Step 5 — Record your User ID and log in
Record the User ID shown on screen, click Log In, and enter your username and password on the Claimant Account Login screen. Click Login.
You are now logged into your BEACON One-Stop Claimant Portal.
Logging Back In (Returning Users)
Once your account is activated, you can log in any time at:
beacon.labor.maryland.gov/ReBEACONClaimant/Account/Login
Just enter your username and password — no need to repeat the activation process.
Troubleshooting & Common Errors
- “Username is already in use” — choose a more unique username (try adding numbers).
- “Security answers cannot be reused” — each of your three answers must be different.
- SSN/PIN combination not recognized — double-check your SSN. If your PIN is wrong, check the “Forgot PIN” box and proceed with the dynamic challenge question.
- Locked out after too many attempts — wait 30 minutes or call Claimant Support at 667-207-6520.
- Page won’t load or buttons unresponsive — clear your browser cache, try a different browser, or use the official mobile app.
Security Tips
- Never share your username, password, PIN, or security answers.
- Use a strong, unique password you don’t reuse on other sites.
- Only access BEACON through official URLs:
beacon.labor.maryland.govandlabor.maryland.gov. Watch out for phishing emails. - Log out when you’re done — especially on public or shared computers.
- Keep your contact info (email, address, phone) up to date so you don’t lose access in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the official BEACON Maryland claimant login URL?
The official BEACON claimant portal is beacon.labor.maryland.gov/ReBEACONClaimant/Account/Login. Account activation happens at the /ClaimantAccountActivation page.
What is a Maryland unemployment PIN and where do I find it?
Your PIN is a 4-digit number you created when you first filed for Maryland unemployment. It was used to access the old MD UI system and to activate BEACON. If you don’t have it, use the “Don’t Have PIN or Forgot PIN” option during account activation.
What information does BEACON use if I forgot my PIN?
BEACON asks one of three dynamic challenge questions: your email on file, your ZIP code, or your street number. Use the information that was on file when you last filed a claim.
What if none of the challenge answers match?
Call Maryland Division of Unemployment Insurance Claimant Support at 667-207-6520. A representative can manually verify your identity and reset your account.
Can I create more than one BEACON account?
No. Each claimant should have only one BEACON account tied to their SSN. If you have duplicate accounts, contact Maryland DOL to merge them.
Why do my security answers need to be unique?
BEACON requires three different security questions and three different answers to make account recovery more secure. Repeating answers (e.g., using “Smith” for both questions) is not allowed.
Is there a Maryland unemployment mobile app?
Yes. The official “MD Unemployment for Claimants” app is available on Google Play and the App Store. You can use it to apply for benefits, file your weekly certification, and check claim status.
What is the maximum weekly unemployment benefit in Maryland?
The maximum Weekly Benefit Amount is $430/week, with a minimum of $50/week. Regular UI lasts up to 26 weeks within a 52-week benefit year.
What can I do inside the BEACON Claimant Portal?
You can apply for unemployment, file weekly certifications, track payment status, upload documents, update your contact info, view your 1099-G, submit work-search activities, file appeals, and message Maryland DOL.
Who do I call if I have problems with BEACON?
Maryland DOL Claimant Support: 667-207-6520, Monday–Friday 7:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. ET. For technical issues, you can also use the in-portal Inquiry feature once logged in.
Related Maryland Guides
- 📍 Maryland Unemployment Guide (Main Hub)
- Filing Your Weekly Certification in Maryland
- Unemployment Extensions 2026: State-by-State Guide
Ready to activate or log into BEACON?
Access the official Maryland claimant portal to file weekly certifications, check payment status, and manage your unemployment claim.
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Maryland Division of Unemployment Insurance rules and procedures can change. Always verify current requirements at labor.maryland.gov/unemployment-insurance.
Official Sources