What Maryland unemployment insurance is and how to receive it

Maryland's unemployment insurance (UI) is a joint federal-state program that pays weekly benefits to workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. The program is run by the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR), and the money comes from taxes employers pay into a state trust fund.

To receive benefits, you file a claim with DLLR, which then determines whether you meet the program's requirements. If approved, you receive weekly payments for a set number of weeks while you search for work. The amount you receive depends on your prior earnings, and the length of time you can receive benefits depends on the unemployment rate in Maryland at the time you file.

Maryland uses a "monetary information" system: DLLR looks at your earnings in a specific 12-month period (called the "base period") and calculates a weekly benefit amount based on a formula set by state law. This amount stays the same throughout your claim, unless you return to work and then lose that job again.

Key Takeaways

  • You must file your claim with the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR) either online at mdes.maryland.gov or by phone at 410-949-0022.
  • Maryland requires you to report your work search activities every two weeks; failure to do so can stop your payments.
  • Your weekly benefit amount is based on your earnings in the base period (typically the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file), with a maximum amount set by state law that changes each year.
  • The number of weeks you can receive benefits ranges from 8 to 26 weeks depending on Maryland's unemployment rate at the time you file.
  • You must be unemployed through no fault of your own—quitting without good cause or being fired for misconduct disqualifies you from benefits.

How to file your claim with DLLR

You can file your initial claim online at mdes.maryland.gov or by calling the DLLR claims line at 410-949-0022. The online system is faster and available 24 hours a day. You will need your Social Security number, driver's license or ID number, and information about your most recent employer (name, address, dates of employment, and reason for separation).

When you file, DLLR sends a notice to your former employer asking them to confirm the information you provided and to state whether they contest your claim. This is called the "employer response." If your employer contests and says you were fired for misconduct or quit without good cause, DLLR will hold a hearing to determine the facts. You have the right to participate in that hearing and present your side of the story.

After you file, DLLR mails you a "monetary information" letter that shows your weekly benefit amount and the total number of weeks you are may have access to to receive. This letter also tells you how DLLR calculated your benefit based on your base period earnings. If you disagree with the amount or the calculation, you have 10 days from the date on the letter to file an appeal.

Weekly work search requirements and reporting

Maryland requires you to actively search for work and report your job search activities every two weeks. You must file a "continued claim" (also called a "weekly claim") to receive your payment for that week. You can file your continued claim online, by phone, or through the Maryland Workforce Exchange system.

When you file your continued claim, you report how many employers you contacted, the dates you contacted them, and the type of work you are seeking. You must make at least one work search contact per week to remain on the claim. A work search contact means explore for a job, talking to an employer, attending a job interview, or registering with a staffing agency or job board.

If you miss a continued claim important date or fail to report your work search activities, DLLR will stop paying you until you file the missing claim. If you do not file within 30 days of the important date, your claim may be closed entirely and you will have to file a new initial claim to restart benefits.

How your weekly benefit amount is calculated

Maryland calculates your weekly benefit amount using a formula based on your earnings in the base period. The base period is typically the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file your claim. For example, if you file in March 2024, your base period would be January 2023 through December 2023.

DLLR takes your total base period earnings and divides by 52 to find your average weekly wage. Your weekly benefit amount is then a percentage of that average (the exact percentage is set by state law). However, there is a maximum weekly benefit amount that changes each year. In 2024, the maximum is $430 per week, but this amount increases annually based on changes in state wage data.

If you had very low earnings in your base period or no earnings at all, you may not meet the minimum earnings requirement and will be denied benefits. Maryland requires you to have earned at least $30 to $40 in your base period (the exact threshold depends on the year), though most workers who have worked for several months will exceed this.

Reasons you may be denied or have benefits stopped

DLLR denies or stops benefits for several reasons. The most common is that you quit your job without "good cause." Maryland law defines good cause narrowly: you must have quit because of a substantial change in your job conditions (such as a significant wage cut or unsafe working conditions) that made it impossible to continue working. straightforward disliking your job or wanting to leave for personal reasons does not count as good cause.

You are also disqualified if you were fired for "misconduct." Misconduct means willful or negligent disregard of your employer's reasonable rules or instructions. A single mistake or poor performance usually does not count as misconduct; the conduct must be repeated or show a pattern of carelessness or defiance.

Other reasons for denial include: you did not earn enough in your base period to meet the minimum; you are receiving workers' compensation or Social Security benefits (which may offset your UI); you are self-employed or an independent contractor (UI does not cover these); you are a student working part-time at your school; or you are receiving pension or retirement income that exceeds a certain threshold.

The appeals process if your claim is denied

If DLLR denies your claim or your employer contests it, you receive a notice explaining the reason and your right to appeal. You have 10 days from the date on the notice to file an appeal with the Maryland Department of Labor's Board of Appeals. You can file your appeal online, by mail, or by phone at 410-949-0022.

After you file an appeal, the Board of Appeals schedules a hearing. You will receive a notice with the date, time, and phone number to call. The hearing is conducted by a hearing examiner (an administrative judge). Your former employer may also participate. You can bring witnesses, documents, or other evidence to support your case. Many people represent themselves at these hearings, though you may also hire an attorney if you choose.

The hearing examiner issues a written decision within a few weeks. If you disagree with that decision, you can appeal again to the Board of Appeals for a full board review. This second appeal must be filed within 10 days of the hearing examiner's decision. Very few cases go beyond this point, but you do have the right to appeal to Maryland courts if you believe the Board made an error in explore the law.

How long you can receive benefits and what happens when they end

The number of weeks you can receive benefits in Maryland ranges from 8 to 26 weeks. The exact number depends on Maryland's unemployment rate at the time you file your claim. When the state unemployment rate is low (under 5%), you receive 8 weeks of benefits. As the rate rises, the number of weeks increases. At higher unemployment rates (6.5% or above), you receive up to 26 weeks.

Once you have received all your may have access to weeks, your claim ends and you stop receiving payments. You do not automatically move to federal extended benefits or other programs—those are separate programs with their own rules and are only available during periods of very high unemployment declared by the federal government.

If you return to work before your benefits end, you should report your new job on your next continued claim. Your benefits do not stop when ready, but DLLR will recalculate your claim based on your new earnings. If you earn more than a certain amount in a week, you may not receive a payment for that week (this is called "partial unemployment").

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I receive unemployment if I was laid off due to lack of work?

Yes. A layoff due to lack of work is the most common reason people receive unemployment benefits in Maryland. You do not need to prove anything beyond the fact that you were laid off; DLLR will contact your employer to confirm. Your employer cannot contest a layoff claim unless they claim you were actually fired for misconduct.

What if I was fired but I disagree that it was for misconduct?

File your claim anyway. When your employer contests, DLLR will schedule a hearing. At the hearing, you can explain what happened and present evidence (such as emails, performance reviews, or witness statements) showing that your conduct was not willful or negligent. Many people win these hearings because employers must prove misconduct, not the other way around.

Do I have to take any job offered to me, or can I turn down work?

You must actively search for work, but you are not required to accept any job offered. However, if you turn down a job that is "suitable" for you, your employer can report this and you may lose benefits. A suitable job is one that matches your skills, experience, and prior wages. You can turn down a job that pays significantly less or requires you to relocate without good reason.

How long does it take to receive my first payment after I file?

DLLR typically processes claims within one to two weeks if there is no employer contest. Your first payment is usually deposited into your bank account or loaded onto a debit card within a few days of approval. If your employer contests, the process takes longer because a hearing must be held first.

Can I receive unemployment while I am in school or taking classes?

It depends. If you are a full-time student, you are generally not on the claim. If you are a part-time student and working part-time, you may be on the claim as long as you meet the work search requirements. If you are taking classes while unemployed and looking for work, you should report this to DLLR—some training programs may be approved as part of your work search.