Where to file and what you need before you start

Maryland's unemployment program is called Unemployment Insurance (UI), and you file through the Maryland Department of Labor. You can file online through their website, by phone, or by mail — online is fastest and most people complete it in under 20 minutes. Before you start, gather your Social Security number, driver's license or state ID number, your most recent pay stub, and the name and address of your last employer.

You do not need to visit an office in person. Maryland processes most claims entirely by phone and mail after your initial filing. The state will contact you if they need more information, and they will also contact your employer to verify the reason you left work.

Filing as soon as you stop working matters because benefits are backdated to your first week of unemployment, but only if you file within a certain window. Maryland typically pays for weeks you were unemployed even if you file a few weeks later, but waiting longer can cost you money.

Key Takeaways

  • File online at mdes.maryland.gov or by phone at 410-767-2404 within two weeks of your last day of work to receive the full amount you are owed.
  • You must have earned enough wages in Maryland in the past 12 months — typically at least $1,000 — and you cannot have quit without good cause or been fired for misconduct.
  • Maryland will contact your employer to verify why you left, so be prepared to explain the separation clearly in your filing.
  • Payments arrive by debit card (EDD card) or direct deposit, usually within two to three weeks of approval, and you must file weekly claims to continue receiving benefits.
  • If you were laid off due to lack of work, you may receive benefits faster than if you quit, because the employer's response is more straightforward.

What disqualifies you or delays your claim

Maryland will deny your claim if you quit your job without good cause. Good cause means a reason connected to your work — unsafe conditions, wage theft, a significant change in your job duties, or harassment. Personal reasons like needing to move, family problems, or wanting a different job do not count. If you were fired, the state will look at whether it was for misconduct — deliberately breaking a rule, repeated warnings you ignored, or dishonesty. A single mistake or poor performance usually does not disqualify you.

You also cannot receive benefits if you are working and earning more than a small amount per week. Maryland allows you to earn up to a threshold before your benefits reduce, but the exact amount changes yearly. If you are working part-time, report those earnings on your weekly claim form.

If your employer disputes your claim — for example, saying you quit when you say you were laid off — Maryland will hold your claim pending investigation. This can take several weeks. You will have a chance to respond, usually by phone, and your employer will be asked to provide their version. Keep any written communication from your employer (emails, texts, termination letters) because it strengthens your case.

Income and work history requirements

You must have worked in Maryland and earned wages there. The state looks at your earnings in the 12 months before you filed. Most people need to have earned at least $1,000 during that time, though the exact requirement depends on when you file and how the state calculates your benefit year. If you worked in Maryland for only a few weeks, you may not meet the earnings requirement.

If you worked in multiple states, you may still be able to file in Maryland if most of your work was there. Maryland can combine wages from other states under federal rules, but you would file in the state where you worked most recently or where you earned the most. Contact Maryland's Department of Labor if you worked in more than one state.

Self-employment income does not count toward unemployment benefits. If you were a contractor or ran your own business, you cannot file for regular UI. Maryland has a separate program for self-employed workers called Pandemic Unemployment information (PUA), but that program is no longer active as of 2024. Check with the Department of Labor about current options if you were self-employed.

How to file online, by phone, or by mail

Online filing is the fastest option. Go to mdes.maryland.gov, find the unemployment section, and create an account or log in. You will answer questions about your work history, why you left your job, and your contact information. The form takes 15 to 20 minutes. You will receive a confirmation number when ready.

Phone filing is available at 410-767-2404. Call during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern time). Wait times can be long, especially in the first week after a layoff, so call early in the day if possible. A representative will ask the same questions as the online form and file your claim while you are on the phone.

Mail filing is slowest and not recommended unless you cannot access the internet or phone. You would request a paper form from the Department of Labor, fill it out, and mail it back. This adds one to two weeks to processing time.

Whichever method you use, you will need to file a weekly claim after your initial filing. Maryland sends you a notice with instructions on how to file weekly claims — usually online or by phone. You must file every week you want to receive benefits, even if you have not worked. Missing a weekly claim stops your benefits for that week.

What happens after you file and how long approval takes

After you file, Maryland sends you a notice by mail confirming receipt. The state then contacts your employer to verify the reason you left work. Your employer has about 10 days to respond. If they do not respond or if their response matches yours, your claim moves forward. If they dispute your account, Maryland will investigate further, which can add two to four weeks.

Most claims are approved within two to three weeks if there is no dispute. You will receive a notice in the mail stating your weekly benefit amount and the date your benefits start. Payments arrive on an EDD debit card (a prepaid card mailed to you) or by direct deposit if you set that up. The first payment usually arrives within a few days of approval.

If your claim is denied, you will receive a notice explaining why. You have the right to appeal within 30 days. An appeal means you request a hearing where you can explain your side of the story. Many people win on appeal, especially if they have documentation (emails, texts, a termination letter) showing they had good cause to leave or were not fired for misconduct.

Weekly filing and continuing to receive benefits

Once approved, you must file a weekly claim every week to keep receiving benefits. Maryland sends you instructions by mail or email. Most people file online through the same website where they filed their initial claim. You will answer questions about whether you worked that week, how much you earned, and whether you looked for work. The weekly claim takes about five minutes.

You must report any work you did that week, even if it was just a few hours. Maryland reduces your benefit by a portion of what you earned, but you usually still receive something. If you earned more than the weekly threshold, your benefit for that week may be zero, but you remain on the program and can receive benefits again the following week if you earn less.

Benefits in Maryland last up to 26 weeks in a benefit year. If you exhaust your benefits and are still unemployed, you may be able to file for an extension, though extensions are not automatic and depend on the state of the economy and federal law. Check with the Department of Labor about extensions if you approach 26 weeks.

Your weekly benefit amount and how it is calculated

Maryland calculates your weekly benefit based on your earnings in the highest-earning quarter of the 12 months before you filed. The state takes a percentage of that amount — currently about 50 percent of your average weekly wage — up to a maximum weekly amount. The maximum changes yearly and is set by state law. In recent years, it has been around $430 per week, but confirm the current maximum with the Department of Labor.

Your benefit notice will state your weekly amount clearly. If you worked part-time or had low earnings, your weekly benefit will be lower. If you earned very high wages, your benefit will be capped at the state maximum, not your full 50 percent.

You receive benefits for the weeks you were unemployed and filed a weekly claim, even if you have since found work. If you find a job partway through your benefit year, you can continue filing weekly claims and report your new earnings. Your benefits will reduce based on what you earn, but you may still receive partial benefits.

If your claim is denied or delayed

If Maryland denies your claim, the denial notice will explain the reason — usually that you quit without good cause, were fired for misconduct, or did not meet the earnings requirement. You have 30 days from the date of the notice to file an appeal. An appeal does not cost anything and does not require a lawyer, though you can bring one if you want.

To appeal, contact the Maryland Department of Labor and request a hearing. You will receive a date and time for a phone hearing with an administrative law judge. Bring any documents that support your case: emails from your employer, a termination letter, text messages, pay stubs, or a written account of what happened. Explain clearly why you left (if you quit) or why the firing was not your fault (if you were terminated).

If your claim is delayed — meaning you filed but have not heard back after three weeks — contact the Department of Labor. Delays usually happen because the employer has not responded or because the state needs more information from you. A representative can tell you where your claim stands and what is holding it up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to look for work while receiving unemployment benefits?

Maryland requires you to be able and available to work, but you do not have to prove you looked for work each week. However, if you turn down a job offer or refuse to interview, you can lose benefits. Report any job offers or interviews on your weekly claim form.

What if I was laid off due to lack of work?

Layoffs due to lack of work are the easiest claims to approve. Your employer will likely confirm the layoff, and Maryland will approve your claim quickly. You do not need to prove good cause because a layoff is not your fault.

Can I receive unemployment if I was fired?

Yes, if you were not fired for misconduct. If you were fired for poor performance, a single mistake, or a reason unrelated to deliberate rule-breaking, you may still receive benefits. If your employer says you were fired for misconduct, you can appeal and explain your side.

How do I check the status of my claim?

Log into your account on mdes.maryland.gov to see your claim status, or call 410-767-2404. The website shows whether your claim is pending, approved, or denied, and it displays your weekly benefit amount and payment history.

What if I worked in another state before moving to Maryland?

If you worked in another state within the past 12 months, Maryland may combine your wages from both states to determine if you meet the earnings requirement. File in Maryland if that is where you are now, and mention your out-of-state work on your process. Maryland will contact the other state to verify your earnings.