Q: Been turned down for a Md state ID. Desperately need to open a checking account. Living in a hotel and no resources
I have been living in a hotel since 12/20/20 and I need to get a state ID to cash an insurance claim check. I moved from Ohio and my purse was stolen with a few other items right as I was leaving. I have acquired another birth certificate since. I have had several items mailed to me here, at the hotel in PG MD. Currently I have the following: several "WISH" purchases, insurance claim forms & payment check, several hotel receipts, emailed copy of a 2019 W2, a medical insurance card, letter from my brother. In 3 days rent will be due at the hotel and I will be outside and homeless at that point (with a 10K+ check I can do nothing with).
A:
Not much anyone can do in three days time. The ID proof requirements are set forth on the MVA website:
https://mva.maryland.gov/drivers/Pages/apply-id-card.aspx
The MVA requires appointments during COVID, and you do not receive your ID card on the spot anymore for security reasons. Instead, your photo is taken and your ID card is mailed to you up to two weeks later.
Not all banks require multiple forms of ID. Try calling around to some of the smaller banks, or google internet banks and see if there are wholly online options that allow you to open an account and then mail you a debit card to use at ATMs. There will probably be some hold period on the availability of funds on a check this size, so you may not have immediate access to the funds regardless of whether a bank allows you to open an account. You could also take the insurance check to a check cashing store, but you will pay a portion of the check over to them in fees, plus they may have limits on the size of the check.
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