Maryland Unemployment Insurance

Maryland Unemployment Insurance (UI) provides benefits to persons who are unemployed through no fault of their own and who are ready, willing and able to work, and actively seeking work.

Each state sets its own guidelines for eligibility for UI benefits, but you usually qualify if you:

1. have lost a job through no fault of your own;
2. are unemployed or partially unemployed for reasons permissible under federal law;
3. are “able to work, available to work, and actively seeking work;” and
4. have earned at least a certain amount of money during a “base period” prior to becoming unemployed. In most states, this is usually the first 4 out of the last 5 completed calendar quarters prior to the time that your claim is filed.

According to the Maryland Department of Labor,¹ to qualify for unemployment benefits in Maryland, you must have worked in the past 12 to 18 months, and have earned:

1. at least $1,176 in your highest paid quarter of the base period,
2. wages in at least two quarters of the base period, and
3. total base-period wages of at least 1.5 times the wages earned in your highest paid quarter.

For example, if your highest paid quarter was $4,000, your total base-period wages must be at least $6,000 ($4,000 × 1.5), and your wages must be spread across at least two quarters.

How much unemployment will I get in MD?

According to the Maryland Department of Labor, weekly payments range from a minimum of $50 to a maximum of $430 per week.¹

How long do unemployment benefits last in Maryland?

A claimant in Maryland may receive benefits for a maximum of 26 weeks. Payment continues only for the weeks in which the claimant remains eligible and certifies, as required, that they are able to work, available for work and searching for it.

How do I apply for unemployment in MD?

Claims may be filed by telephone at (667) 207-6520 or you may choose to file your claim online through Maryland’s BEACON  claimant portal.

If you are unemployed, file your claim as soon as possible, as your eligibility begins the week in which you file your claim.

Maryland Department of Labor
Division of Unemployment Insurance
Claimant Call Center
(667) 207-6520