"We were unable to verify your identification information" applying for an Apple Card

I've applied 4 times for the Apple Card. Four times I was rejected with the sad line, "We were unable to verify your identification information."

I am a long-time Apple ID member (since it first existed).

My US drivers license is current.

I updated my iOS and restarted before applying.

My name on my license is FirstName M. Lastname. I ignored the middle initial because there is no space for it on the app form.

I know my SS#, address, and phone number. One strange thing, the form pre-populates with my work address. For three of the applications, I changed it to my home address, same as on my ID. One time I left my work address on to see if it would work.

The photos of the ID are crystal clear. I tried different backgrounds from charcoal gray to brown cardboard to pale wood desktop.

What could be causing this? Software bugs?? Bad robots??

thank you.