Where to file and what you need before you start

Maryland's Department of Labor processes unemployment claims through its online portal at mdes.maryland.gov. You can file there directly without calling or visiting an office. The system accepts claims 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You will need your Social Security number, driver's license or state ID number, and information about your most recent employer — including the company name, address, phone number, and the dates you worked there.

Before you file, gather your last pay stub or a record of what you earned in your final weeks of work. Have the reason you left your job ready to explain in writing. If you were laid off, fired, or quit, the reason matters for how the state processes your claim. You should also know whether you received any severance pay, unused vacation payout, or other final payments from your employer — these affect when your benefits start.

Filing takes about 15 to 20 minutes if you have your information ready. The state will send you a confirmation number when ready. Write it down or save the email. You will use this number to check on your claim status and to file your weekly certifications once benefits begin.

Key Takeaways

  • File online at mdes.maryland.gov using your Social Security number and your most recent employer's contact information and employment dates.
  • Have your reason for leaving work prepared before you start, because the state uses this to determine whether you are may have access to to benefits.
  • Your claim will be reviewed within one to three weeks; the state may contact your employer to verify the information you provided.
  • Once approved, you must file a weekly certification every week to receive your payment, and you can do this online or by phone.
  • Maryland's maximum weekly benefit amount varies based on your earnings history, and the state will tell you the amount in your approval notice.

What disqualifies you or delays your claim

Maryland will deny your claim if you quit your job without what the state considers "good cause." Good cause means you had a serious reason — such as unsafe working conditions, wage theft, or a substantial change in your job duties — and you told your employer about the problem before you left. straightforward disliking your job, disagreeing with management, or wanting higher pay does not count. If you quit, be honest about why, because the state will contact your employer to verify your account.

You are also ineligible if you were fired for misconduct. Misconduct means you deliberately broke a rule you knew about, or you were repeatedly warned and did not change your behavior. Being fired for a single mistake, poor performance despite your effort, or inability to do the job does not count as misconduct. Again, the state will ask your employer for details.

If you received a large severance payment or unused vacation payout, Maryland will delay your benefits. The state counts this money as "wages in lieu of notice" and holds your claim until those funds would have run out based on your normal pay schedule. For example, if you received four weeks of severance, your benefits start after four weeks pass. This is not a denial — your benefits will begin, but later.

You cannot receive unemployment if you are self-employed, working as an independent contractor, or earning income from a business you own. You also cannot claim benefits if you are receiving workers' compensation for a work injury, though you may be able to receive both if your workers' comp is partial.

How long the review takes and what happens next

Maryland typically reviews your claim within one to three weeks. During this time, the state contacts your employer to confirm you worked there, verify the dates, and ask why you left. Your employer has a important date to respond — usually about ten days. If your employer does not respond, the state may approve your claim based on your information alone.

You will receive a notice by mail and email telling you whether your claim was approved or denied. If approved, the notice includes your weekly benefit amount and the week you can start filing certifications. If denied, the notice explains the reason and tells you how to appeal. You have 30 days from the date on the notice to file an appeal with the Maryland Department of Labor.

Once your claim is approved, you must file a weekly certification every week to receive your payment. You can do this online through the same portal where you filed your claim, or by phone at 1-667-207-6520. You certify that you are still unemployed, that you looked for work during that week (if required), and that you reported any earnings you had. Missing a weekly certification means you do not receive a payment that week.

Special situations: Partial unemployment, work-sharing, and reduced hours

If you are still working but earning less than you did before — for example, your hours were cut or you took a lower-paying job — you may still receive partial unemployment benefits. Maryland reduces your weekly benefit by 25 percent of what you earn that week. So if your benefit is $400 per week and you earn $100, you receive $300 that week. You must report all earnings on your weekly certification, even small amounts.

Maryland also has a work-sharing program for employers who want to avoid laying off workers by cutting everyone's hours instead. If your employer participates, you can receive a portion of your unemployment benefit for the hours you did not work. Your employer must enroll in the program before you can use it, so ask your employer whether this is an option.

If you were laid off due to a disaster, mass layoff, or public health emergency, you may be able to receive extended benefits beyond Maryland's standard 26 weeks. These extensions are not automatic — they depend on whether the state has triggered them based on the unemployment rate. The state will notify you if you become may be able to access.

Your weekly benefit amount and how long you can receive it

Maryland calculates your weekly benefit based on your earnings in the first four of the last five calendar quarters before you filed your claim. The state divides your total earnings by 52 to find your average weekly wage, then pays you 50 percent of that amount, up to a maximum. The maximum weekly benefit amount changes each year based on the state's average wage. In 2024, the maximum is $430 per week, but this figure changes annually.

You can receive benefits for up to 26 weeks in a benefit year if you remain unemployed and continue to file weekly certifications. A benefit year runs for 52 weeks starting from the week you filed your claim. If you return to work before 26 weeks pass, your benefits stop, but you keep any weeks you did not use. If you exhaust your 26 weeks and are still unemployed, you do not automatically receive more — you would need to file a new claim in a new benefit year.

If you earn money during a week — whether from part-time work, gig work, or self-employment — you must report it on your weekly certification. Maryland will reduce your benefit that week based on your earnings. Some types of income, such as unemployment insurance from another state or certain government benefits, do not reduce your Maryland unemployment payment, but you should report them anyway.

If your claim is denied or you disagree with the decision

If Maryland denies your claim, the notice will explain the reason — usually that you quit without good cause, were fired for misconduct, or do not meet another requirement. You have 30 days from the date on the notice to file an appeal. You can appeal online through the same portal, by mail, or by phone. Filing an appeal does not cost anything and does not hurt your case.

When you appeal, you can submit written statements, documents (such as emails from your employer or medical records), and ask to have a hearing. A hearing officer will review your case, listen to both you and your employer, and make a new decision. Hearings are held by phone or video conference. You do not need a lawyer, but you can bring one if you want.

If you disagree with the hearing officer's decision, you can appeal again to the Maryland Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board. This second appeal must be filed within 30 days. The board reviews the hearing record and decides whether the hearing officer made a legal error. Very few cases go to this level, but the option exists if you believe the decision was wrong.

Reporting changes and avoiding overpayment

You must report certain changes to the Maryland Department of Labor while you are receiving benefits. If you return to work, start a new job, or your income changes, report it on your next weekly certification. If you move to a different address, update your information online or call the department. If you receive a job offer or training opportunity, report that too.

If you receive a payment you were not may have access to to — for example, because you did not report earnings or because your claim was later found to be ineligible — Maryland will ask you to repay it. This is called an overpayment. The state may deduct the amount from future unemployment payments, or it may ask you to pay it back in a lump sum. If you cannot pay, you can request a payment plan. Ignoring an overpayment notice can result in wage garnishment or other collection action.

To avoid overpayment, report all earnings and changes honestly on every weekly certification. If you are unsure whether something should be reported, report it anyway. It is better to report something that does not affect your benefit than to miss something that does.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much will I receive per week?

Maryland pays 50 percent of your average weekly wage from the past year, up to a maximum of $430 per week (this amount changes yearly). The state will calculate your exact amount based on your earnings history and tell you in your approval notice. If you work part-time while receiving benefits, your payment is reduced by 25 percent of what you earn that week.

Can I receive unemployment if I was fired?

Only if you were not fired for misconduct. Misconduct means you deliberately broke a rule or were repeatedly warned and did not change. Being fired for poor performance, a single mistake, or inability to do the job does not disqualify you. Maryland will contact your employer to verify the reason, so be honest in your claim.

What if my employer says I quit when I was actually laid off?

File your claim and explain what happened. Maryland will contact your employer to verify. If there is a disagreement, you can request a hearing where both you and your employer present evidence. Bring any documents you have — emails, text messages, or written notices from your employer — to support your account.

Do I have to look for work while receiving unemployment?

Maryland does not require you to actively search for work or report job searches on your weekly certification. However, you must be able and available to work, and you cannot turn down a suitable job offer. If you are in a training program, you may be exempt from the availability requirement.

What happens if I miss a weekly certification?

You will not receive a payment for that week. If you miss certifications for two weeks in a row, your benefits may be suspended. You can file a late certification within two weeks of the missed week, and if approved, you will receive the payment. After two weeks, you cannot file a late certification for that week.