What you need to do to file for unemployment in Maryland

Maryland's unemployment program is run by the Department of Labor's Division of Unemployment Insurance. You file your claim online through the Maryland Unemployment Insurance Online system, or by phone if you cannot use the website. The state processes most claims within two to three weeks, though this varies depending on how complete your process is and whether the state needs to contact your employer for verification.

You do not need to visit an office in person. The entire process happens remotely — you submit your claim, answer questions about your work history and why you left your job, and then file weekly claims to keep receiving payments. Each week you must report whether you worked, earned any money, or turned down a job offer.

Maryland pays unemployment benefits through a debit card that arrives in the mail, not by check or direct deposit. The card works like a regular bank card at ATMs and stores. Payments are usually issued within five to seven business days after your weekly claim is processed.

Key Takeaways

  • File your initial claim online at mdes.maryland.gov or by calling 410-949-0022 within two weeks of losing your job, because Maryland has a time limit on when you can file.
  • You must have worked in Maryland and earned enough wages in the past 12 months — the state requires a minimum of $1,000 in total wages, though this amount changes yearly.
  • Your reason for leaving your job matters: you must have been laid off, had your hours cut, or left for a reason the state considers "good cause" — quitting without cause disqualifies you.
  • After your claim is approved, you file a new claim every week online or by phone to report your work status and receive that week's payment.
  • The state may contact your employer to verify the information you provided, which can add time to processing.

Who can file for unemployment in Maryland

You must have worked in Maryland during the past 12 months and earned at least $1,000 in total wages. The state looks at your earnings in the 12 months before you file, not just your most recent job. If you worked multiple jobs during that time, the state adds all the wages together to meet the minimum.

You must also be unemployed through no fault of your own. This means you were laid off, your employer cut your hours, or you left work for a reason Maryland considers "good cause" — such as unsafe working conditions, harassment, or a significant change in your job duties. If you quit without a reason the state accepts, you will not receive benefits. If you were fired for misconduct, you also will not receive benefits, though the state defines misconduct narrowly — it usually means deliberate rule-breaking, not poor performance or a single mistake.

You must be able and willing to work. This means you are physically able to work, available to start a job if offered one, and actively looking for work. The state does not require you to prove you are searching during your first week of benefits, but after that, you may need to show that you contacted employers or used a job board.

Documents and information you need before you file

Gather these items before you start your process: your Social Security number, driver's license or state ID number, your most recent pay stub or a record of your wages, and the name and address of your employer. If you worked for multiple employers in the past 12 months, have information for each one.

You will also need to know the reason you are no longer working — whether you were laid off, your hours were cut, you quit, or you were fired. The state asks for details about this, so think through what happened and when. If you left your job, be ready to explain why.

If you are self-employed or worked as an independent contractor, you will need your business information and records of your income. Self-employed workers file through a different part of the system and have different rules about what counts as unemployment.

How to file your initial claim online

Go to mdes.maryland.gov and look for the "File a Claim" button on the homepage. You will create an account with a username and password, then answer questions about your work history, your reason for unemployment, and your personal information. The form takes about 20 to 30 minutes to complete.

The state asks when you last worked, how much you earned, whether you quit or were laid off, and whether you have any disqualifying factors — such as a recent criminal conviction or a pending workers' compensation claim. Answer honestly and completely. If you leave a field blank or give unclear answers, the state may delay processing your claim while it contacts you for more information.

After you submit your claim, you will receive a confirmation number. Write this down. The state will mail you a notice within one to two weeks telling you whether your claim was approved, denied, or needs more information. If you do not hear anything within two weeks, call 410-949-0022 to check the status.

Filing weekly claims to keep receiving payments

Once your initial claim is approved, you must file a weekly claim every week to receive that week's payment. You can file online through your account or by phone. Most people file online because it is faster — you log in, answer a few questions about whether you worked that week, and submit. The process takes about five minutes.

Each week you must report: whether you worked any days, how much you earned if you did work, whether you turned down any job offers, and whether you had any other income. If you worked part-time or earned some money during the week, Maryland reduces your benefit payment by a portion of what you earned — you do not lose the entire week's payment, but you do not receive the full amount either.

File your weekly claim on the same day each week if possible. The state has a specific day for each person based on their Social Security number. If you miss a week, you lose that week's payment and must file again the following week to restart. If you miss three weeks in a row without contacting the state, your claim may be closed.

What disqualifies you or reduces your benefits

You will be disqualified if you quit your job without good cause. Maryland defines good cause narrowly — it usually means the job became unsafe, your employer harassed you, or your duties changed so drastically that you could not perform them. Leaving because you did not like the pay, the hours, or your supervisor usually does not count as good cause.

You will also be disqualified if you were fired for misconduct. The state defines misconduct as deliberate violation of reasonable employer rules or deliberate disregard of the employer's interests — not poor performance, a single mistake, or being a slow learner. If you were fired, the state will contact your employer to ask why, so be prepared to explain your side of the story.

If you are receiving workers' compensation benefits for a work injury, you cannot receive unemployment benefits at the same time. If you are in school full-time, you may not be considered able and willing to work. If you refuse a suitable job offer without good reason, your benefits can be stopped.

If you earn money while receiving unemployment — through part-time work, self-employment, or a pension — your weekly benefit is reduced. Maryland allows you to earn a small amount without losing benefits, but the exact amount changes each year. Call 410-949-0022 to ask what the current threshold is.

How long benefits last and how much you receive

Maryland unemployment benefits last up to 26 weeks in a standard benefit year. If you exhaust your regular benefits and the state is in a period of high unemployment, you may be able to receive extended benefits for an additional 13 weeks, though this depends on the state's unemployment rate at that time.

Your weekly benefit amount is based on your earnings in the past 12 months. The state divides your total wages by 52 and takes a percentage of that number. The exact percentage and the maximum weekly amount change each year. In 2024, the maximum weekly benefit is $430, but most people receive less depending on their earnings history.

The state does not pay benefits for the first week you are unemployed — this is called the waiting week. So if you file on Monday of week one, your first payment covers week two. This waiting week applies only once per benefit year, not every time you file a weekly claim.

What to do if your claim is denied

If the state denies your claim, you will receive a written notice explaining why. Common reasons include: you did not earn enough wages, you quit without good cause, you were fired for misconduct, or you did not meet the work availability requirement. Read the notice carefully — it tells you exactly what the state found.

You have the right to appeal a denial. You must file your appeal within 10 days of receiving the denial notice. File by mail, online, or by phone — the notice tells you how. When you appeal, you can provide new information, correct errors, or explain your side of what happened. If your employer disputes your account of why you left, you will have a chance to respond.

If you appeal, the state holds a hearing before an administrative law judge. You can attend by phone or video. Bring any documents that support your case — pay stubs, emails from your employer, medical records if you left for health reasons, or anything else that shows your version of events. The judge will decide whether to overturn the denial or uphold it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file for 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 the layoff was permanent — temporary layoffs also count. File as soon as you are laid off; do not wait to see if you will be called back.

What if I was fired but I think it was unfair?

Being fired does not automatically disqualify you. The state only denies benefits if you were fired for misconduct — deliberate rule-breaking or deliberate disregard of your employer's interests. If you were fired for poor performance, a mistake, or something you believe was unfair, you may still receive benefits. When you file, explain what happened. If the state denies you, appeal and explain your side at the hearing.

Do I have to look for a job while receiving unemployment?

Maryland does not require you to show proof of job searching during your first week of benefits. After that, you may be asked to provide evidence that you are actively looking for work. This can include contacting employers, using a job board, or attending a job fair. The state does not have a specific number of applications you must submit each week, but you must be genuinely available and willing to work.

What happens if I work part-time while receiving unemployment?

You can work part-time and still receive unemployment benefits, but your weekly payment is reduced based on how much you earn. Maryland allows you to earn a small amount without any reduction — the exact amount changes each year. Report all earnings on your weekly claim form. If you do not report work income, you may be required to repay benefits.

How do I check the status of my claim?

Log into your account on mdes.maryland.gov to see the status of your initial claim and your weekly claims. You can also call 410-949-0022 to speak with someone. Have your Social Security number and claim number ready. Wait times can be long during busy periods, so try calling early in the morning or later in the afternoon.