How To File For Unemployment In Maryland

Expansion Of Benefits Under The Cares Act

The federal government recently passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act , which includes an expansion of unemployment insurance benefits through three programs:

• Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation adds $600 per week on top of regular UI benefits, effective March 29th, 2020 through July 31, 2020.
• Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation extends UI benefits by 13 weeks, including the $600 of FPUC.
• Pandemic Unemployment Assistance extends benefits to individuals who are not usually eligible, including the self-employed, independent contractors, and gig workers.

For more information about eligibility for these programs and the CARES Act, read the Frequently Asked Questions page from the Maryland Department of Labor.

When To File Maryland Weekly Unemployment Claims

Weekly claims forms must be submitted for each payment period. In Maryland the earlier you submit a claim, the quicker you will receive payment. For biweekly claim forms, there may be two separate forms to be submitted for each week in the Maryland benefit period. Be sure to submit both forms when filing a biweekly claim.

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Supplemental Unemployment Benefit Programs

The best time to file a claim is during the first week you become totally or partially unemployed.

Thats because an unemployment compensation claim becomes effective when filed.

Therefore, if you choose to wait to file your claim, then you may not go back to the date you first became unemployed.

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Federal Pandemic Unemployment Insurance Programs

Overview of Programs

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance

• Provides benefits for claimants who are ineligible for regular UI and unemployed due to a COVID-19 related reason. This includes gig workers, independent contractors, the self-employed, and those with insufficient work history.
• Per new USDOL guidelines, eligibility for PUA has been expanded to include:
• Individuals who were denied unemployment benefits because they refused to return to work or refused an offer of work at a worksite that, in either rinstance, is not in compliance with local, state, or national health and safety standards directly related to COVID-19
• Individuals who provide services to an educational institution or educational service agency and are unemployed or partially unemployed because of volatility in the work schedule that is directly caused by the COVID-19 public health emergency and
• Individuals experiencing a reduction of hours or a temporary or permanent layoff as a direct result of the Covid-19 public health emergency.
• Claimants are required to provide proof of their employment in order to be eligible for PUA.
• All PUA claimants will receive an action item in their BEACON portals. Learn more about the proof of employment requirement.
• The last payable week for the PUA program was the week ending Saturday, September 4, 2021.

Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation

Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation

Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation Program

Chat With A Live Agent

Claimants can conveniently chat online with a live agent to receive help with their unemployment insurance inquiries. To chat with a live agent, please select the blue âChat with usâ button at the bottom right of the homepage and then type “speak with an agent.” Agents are available Monday to Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Claimants can also chat with Laborâs Virtual Assistant Dayne, which can provide immediate answers to common inquiries or direct claimants to relevant resources about filing a new claim, extending benefits, receiving benefit payments, and more. The Virtual Assistant is available 24/7. Since May 2020, the Virtual Assistant has handled more than 18.8 million messages and 3.1 million conversations, with an average of 10,400 conversations daily.

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Heres Whats Going On With Marylands Unemployment System After A Change Left Many Unable To Submit Weekly Claims

When hundreds of unemployed Marylanders logged on to the states online benefits portal early Sunday morning, many were met with a confusing sight.

The option to send in their weekly claim certification a requirement for receiving benefits was missing.

Throughout the morning, anxious comments started to fill Facebook and Reddit groups populated by the states unemployed. Could this mean delayed aid, which families were relying on for phone bills, utilities and rent?

Heres what we know about the situation so far.

Start Receiving Your Benefit Payments

If you are approved for unemployment benefits, you will receive your benefit payment according to the payment preference that you selected upon applying for benefits.

Depending on your state, your payment options will include all or two of the following:

• Paper Check
• Unemployment Debit Card

If you select Direct Deposit, you will need the following information:

• Your Bank Routing Number , and
• Bank Account Number .

However, if you do not make a selection for a payment method, you are likely to receive your benefits on an unemployment debit card.

You are allowed to switch payment methods later, once you start receiving benefits.

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Resume & Career Help Online

While the Enoch Pratt Free Library is closed, you can receive resume and career help via email. If you have questions about your resume, cover letter, or job search resource, please email . If you are asking for feedback on your resume or a cover letter, please include the following information:

• Resume or cover letter attached as PDF or Word document
• Information about the type of job youre applying for or specific job ad
• Any specific questions you have

Inquiries will be answered in the order in which theyre received. Due to limited staff and uncertain demand, we can not guarantee a response time.

What To Do After You File For Unemployment In Maryland

After completing all obligatory steps in the UI process, applicants can request their first week of UI coverage through the divisions internet services or by calling the divisions claim centers. Beneficiaries who are wondering where to sign up for unemployment weekly benefits on a regular basis may go through the recertification procedure using the same methods used to request their first UI paycheck.

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American Rescue Plan Act Unemployment Insurance Programs

Overview of Programs

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance

• Provides benefits for claimants who are ineligible for regular UI and unemployed due to a COVID-19 related reason. This includes gig workers, independent contractors, the self-employed, and those with insufficient work history.
• Per new USDOL guidelines, eligibility for PUA has been expanded to include:
• Individuals who were denied unemployment benefits because they refused to return to work or refused an offer of work at a worksite that, in either rinstance, is not in compliance with local, state, or national health and safety standards directly related to COVID-19
• Individuals who provide services to an educational institution or educational service agency and are unemployed or partially unemployed because of volatility in the work schedule that is directly caused by the COVID-19 public health emergency and
• Individuals experiencing a reduction of hours or a temporary or permanent layoff as a direct result of the Covid-19 public health emergency.
• Claimants are required to provide proof of their employment in order to be eligible for PUA.
• All PUA claimants will receive an action item in their BEACON portals. Learn more about the proof of employment requirement.
• The PUA program will end in Maryland on Saturday, September 4, 2021.

Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation

Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation

Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation Program

No Gap in Benefit Eligibility or Delay in Payment

Information And Documents You Need To Apply

Gather all the information and documents you need before applying. This will speed the application process and get you benefits faster.

Personal Information

• Alien Registration Number, if you are not a U.S. citizen
• Residential and mailing addresses
• Name, date of birth, and social security number of all dependents under age 16

Employment history for the past 18 months

• Name, address, and telephone of each employer for the past 18 months
• Employment start and end dates for each employer
• Return-to-work date
• Union name and local number
• DD Form 214
• Form SF-8

Documents you may be asked to show

• For W-2 hourly or wage employees:
• Pay Stubs

Documents you may need to apply if unable to work because of an impact by COVID-19

• Letter from your employer indicating that you were to begin working but cannot because COVID-19
• Letter from your employer stating that COVID-19 caused the business to close
• Letter from your childs school or childcare facility stating that COVID-19 caused the school or facility to close
• Notification that a travel restriction prevented you from going to work
• Documentation from medical personnel showing that you or someone in your household was diagnosed with or sought treatment regarding COVID-19
• A statement about how COVID-19 has caused you to suspend self-employment activities

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Filing A Weekly Claim Certification

Each week, youll be required to file a claim certification. You can do this one of three ways:

There are several COVID-19 related benefits programs providing unemployment to Marylanders.

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance

This program provides benefits for claimants who are ineligible for regular unemployment and are unemployed for a COVID-19 related reason. That may include independent contractors, self-employed individuals, gig workers, and anyone with an insufficient work history.

Learn more about eligibility requirements from the .

Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation

This program provides an extra $300 per week for claimants who get at least $1 in benefits under another unemployment insurance program.

Find out if you qualify.

Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation

This program provides benefits after claimants exhaust their regular UI benefits. PEUC benefits are valid for any regular benefits exhausted on or after July 1, 2019. The compensation is available for up to 53 weeks.

Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation Program

That provides an extra $100 benefit payment each week to claimants receiving Regular UI, PEUC, EB or Work Sharing Benefits. PUA claimants are not eligible for this money.

There are other eligibility requirements available through the Department of Labor.

Beacon 2.0

Due to high demand during COVID-19, the state uses virtual waiting rooms. If you leave your email address, youll be notified when its your turn to enter the system.

Temporary Federal Pandemic Ui Programs Ended On September 4 2021

The temporary, federal unemployment insurance programs , Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation , Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation , and Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation Program expired the week ending Saturday, September 4, 2021. No payments of PUA, FPUC, PEUC, or MEUC benefits will be made for any weeks of unemployment ending after September 4, 2021, even if you have a PUA or PEUC balance in your BEACON portal.

Processing of Claims for Weeks Ending on or Before September 4 Claims that include weeks of eligibility that end on or before September 4 will be processed even after the federal programs expire. Claimants will receive benefits for all weeks they are determined to be eligible for, even if a determination of eligibility occurs after September 4. If you are waiting to receive an eligibility determination for any of these four federal programs, the Department will ensure that you receive all payments owed to you for those weeks. If claimants receive an eligibility determination for weeks of regular State unemployment insurance ending before September 4, 2021, that allows them to apply for PUA for any of those weeks, they may do so by calling a live claims agent at 667-207-6520.

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Documents And Information Needed During Filing

• Social Security Number
• Name, birthdate, and Social Security Number of all dependents under the age of 16
• Proof of alien status if not a citizen
• Name, address, and dates of employment from all employers over the last 18 months
• Union hall number
• DD214 form if you were in the military during the last 18 months

Temporary Federal Pandemic Ui Programs End On September 4 2021

The temporary, federal unemployment insurance programs , Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation , Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation , and Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation Program will expire the week ending Saturday, September 4, 2021. No payments of PUA, FPUC, PEUC, or MEUC benefits will be made for any weeks of unemployment ending after September 4, 2021, even if you have a PUA or PEUC balance in your BEACON portal.

Processing of Claims for Weeks Ending on or Before September 4 Claims that include weeks of eligibility that end on or before September 4 will be processed even after the federal programs expire. Claimants will receive benefits for all weeks they are determined to be eligible for, even if a determination of eligibility occurs after September 4. If you are waiting to receive an eligibility determination for any of these four federal programs, the Department will ensure that you receive all payments owed to you for those weeks.

Extension to File PUA Claims Until October 6, 2021, the Department will accept new initial claims for PUA benefits for weeks of unemployment ending between December 12, 2020, and September 4, 2021. Claimants are only eligible for PUA benefits for weeks they were unemployed or partially unemployed because of an approved COVID-19 related reason.

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File For Unemployment Benefits

Filing for unemployment in Maryland requires creating a profile on Webcert. This site tracks your application, helps appropriate unemployment officials gauge your application, and helps you better understand your employment benefits.

It also helps connect you with Maryland’s job search site, an important requirement you must meet when you file for unemployment. Filing is a relatively simple process, but its worth taking a few moments to understand what you can expect during the process.

Unemployed? We want to help.

What If My Unemployment Claim Is Denied

If your unemployment claim is denied, you can file an appeal in writing within 15 calendar days of receiving your Notice of Benefit Determination. The notice should explain your appeal rights and how to submit your request for appeal.

If the novel coronavirus has left you facing difficult financial decisions, you might get some measure of financial security from unemployment benefits. Consider applying today if you haven’t already.

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How Do I File For Maryland Unemployment

You can apply for Maryland unemployment benefits online or over the phone, depending on what is most comfortable for you. Before starting the process, be sure to gather all the information youll need to file for unemployment .

Its important that you file for unemployment benefits as soon as you lose your job, because the state does not provide any backpayments, meaning that youll only receive financial assistance for the time after your application has been approved.

Applying online: Marylands Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation allows you to apply for benefits online through its website, . The online application walks you through the process, and you can log in to check the status of your application while it is processing.

Applying over the phone: Choosing to apply through the Maryland unemployment phone number can help if you would like someone to walk you through the process, or if you want to speak with an unemployment representative. Unemployment Claim Centers operate Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. ET to 2 p.m. ET, excluding state holidays. The Maryland unemployment number you call will depend on where you live.

Apply For Unemployment Insurance Benefits Immediately

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, it can take about 23 weeks from the day you applied to receive your first unemployment payment.

Therefore, if you are eligible to receive unemployment insurance, the sooner you file your claim the sooner youll receive your benefits.

Also, the sooner you file, the less likely you are to tap into your savings or use a credit card to cover essential expenses.

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Are You Available And Actively Searching For Work

To keep collecting unemployment benefits, you must be able to work, available to work, and looking for employment. If you’re offered a suitable position, you must accept it.

Whether a position is suitable depends on how similar the job is to your previous employment, how much you will be paid, the working conditions, and the skills, experience, and training required for the position. The longer you are unemployed, the more likely you will have to consider jobs that pay less, are in a different field or occupation, or require a longer commute.

You must engage in a good faith search for work, based on your occupation and the labor market. You will receive instructions when you apply for benefits on how to perform your work search. You must keep records of your job search efforts, and you must put in more time and effort the longer you’re receiving unemployment benefits.

How To Submit An Unemployment Edd Application In Maryland

State employees who qualify for UI benefits can file for unemployment in Maryland in several ways. For example, the divisions online application for unemployment allows UI petitioners to apply for unemployment benefits in MD at any time from the comfort of their homes. If you are submitting your unemployment EDD application by phone, on the other hand, you can only contact the divisions Claim Centers during their specific hours of operation, which do not apply to weekends or state holidays. Note that, however, regardless of your preferred method of application, you must file for an unemployment claim as soon as you lose your job, as benefits will only be due for claimed weeks.

After submitting their UI claim, applicants will receive the Determination of Monetary Eligibility, which informs them of whether or not they qualify for UI payments based on their base period wages. State workers who believe the financial determination to be incorrect have the right to protest it within 15 days. If the division concludes your ineligibility for UI benefits based on the standard base period, you can request to be considered eligible based on an alternate base period.

Note: Throughout the determination process, state employees must file for unemployment in MD on a weekly basis in order to receive all due UI payments throughout the period of unemployment.

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