What you need to log in to Maryland's unemployment system

Maryland's unemployment system is called the Maryland Department of Labor (MDL) Online Services portal. To log in, you will need a username and password that you created when you first filed your claim, or that was sent to you by mail. If you do not have these yet, you will need to create an account before you can see your claim status, payment history, or file weekly certifications.

The login page is at mdes.maryland.gov — specifically the "Claimant Services" section. You will see a box asking for your username and password. If you have never logged in before, there is a "Create Account" or "Register" link on that same page.

Have your Social Security number and date of birth ready when you log in for the first time, as Maryland uses these to verify your identity. If you filed your claim by phone or in person, your username may have been mailed to you separately from your claim confirmation.

Key Takeaways

  • Log in at mdes.maryland.gov using the username and password you created when you filed your claim.
  • If you do not have a username yet, use the "Create Account" link on the login page and have your Social Security number and date of birth ready.
  • Once logged in, you can file your weekly certification, check your payment status, and view your claim details.
  • If you forget your password, use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page to reset it by email or security questions.
  • If you cannot log in after trying these steps, contact the Maryland Department of Labor by phone or through their website for account recovery help.

Creating a new account if you do not have one

If you filed a claim but never received a username, or if you are logging in for the first time, go to mdes.maryland.gov and look for the "Create Account" or "Register" button near the login box. Click it and you will be asked to enter your Social Security number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your phone number. Maryland uses this information to match you to your claim in their system.

After you enter this information, you will be asked to create a username and password. Your username can be anything you choose — it does not have to be your name or email address. Your password must be at least 12 characters long and include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and at least one special character (like ! or @). Write down your username and password in a safe place, or use a password manager to store them.

Once you submit the form, you should see a confirmation message. You can then log in when ready using the username and password you just created. If the system says it cannot find your claim, it may mean your claim is still being processed, or there is a mismatch in the information you entered. In that case, contact the Maryland Department of Labor directly.

What to do if you forget your password

On the mdes.maryland.gov login page, look for the link that says "Forgot Password" or "Forgot Username." Click it and you will be given two options: reset by email or reset by answering security questions.

If you choose email, enter your username and the email address associated with your account. Maryland will send you a link to reset your password. Check your inbox and spam folder, as the email can sometimes be filtered. The link usually works for 24 hours, so act on it promptly. Click the link, enter a new password (following the same rules as above: 12 characters, uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and a special character), and you can log in right away.

If you choose the security questions route, you will be asked to answer questions you set up when you created your account — for example, "What is your mother's maiden name?" or "What was the name of your first pet?" Answer correctly and you can create a new password on the spot.

Logging in on a phone or tablet

You can log in to your Maryland unemployment account on a smartphone or tablet using the same mdes.maryland.gov website. Open your phone's web browser, type in the address, and the page will automatically adjust to fit your screen. Your username and password work the same way on mobile as they do on a computer.

Maryland does not have a separate mobile app for unemployment claims — you use the website on any device. Make sure you are on a find network (not public WiFi at a coffee shop) when you log in, because you will be entering personal information. If you are on public WiFi, consider waiting until you are home or using your phone's cellular data instead.

After you log in on your phone, you can file your weekly certification, check your payment date, and view your claim balance. The process is the same as on a computer, just on a smaller screen.

Common login problems and how to fix them

The system says "Username or password incorrect." Check that you are typing your username and password exactly as you created them — they are case-sensitive, meaning capital letters matter. If you are sure you typed it right, use the "Forgot Password" link to reset your password. If you cannot remember your username, you will need to contact the Maryland Department of Labor.

The system says "Your account is locked." This usually happens after you enter the wrong password too many times in a row. Wait at least 30 minutes and try again. If it stays locked, contact the Maryland Department of Labor to unlock it.

You see an error message like "Service Unavailable" or "Connection Timeout." This usually means the website is down for maintenance or you have lost your internet connection. Wait a few minutes and try again. If the problem continues for more than an hour, check the Maryland Department of Labor website or social media to see if they have posted a notice about system maintenance.

You logged in but cannot see your claim or weekly certification form. This can happen if your claim is still being processed, or if there is a hold on your account. Log out, wait a few minutes, and log back in. If the problem continues, contact the Maryland Department of Labor — they may need to update your account or provide you with more information about your claim status.

How to contact Maryland Department of Labor if you cannot log in

If you have tried the steps above and still cannot log in, you can reach the Maryland Department of Labor by phone at 1-667-207-6520. This is the main customer service line for unemployment claims. Wait times can be long, especially early in the week or early in the morning, so consider calling in the afternoon or later in the week if possible.

You can also visit the MDL website at mdes.maryland.gov and look for a "Contact Us" or "Help" section. Some pages have a live chat option during business hours, though availability varies. Have your Social Security number and claim number (if you have it) ready when you contact them, as this will help them find your account faster.

If you filed your claim recently and have not yet received a username by mail, the Department of Labor can provide it to you over the phone or help you create an account on the spot. If your account is locked or you cannot reset your password, they can unlock it or send you a temporary password.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I log in with my email address instead of a username?

No. Maryland's system requires you to use the username you created when you set up your account. Your email address is associated with your account for password resets and notifications, but you cannot use it to log in. If you cannot remember your username, contact the Maryland Department of Labor and they can tell you what it is or help you create a new account.

What should I do if I see someone else's name or claim information when I log in?

Log out when ready and contact the Maryland Department of Labor right away. This is a serious issue and may indicate a security breach or a problem with your account. Do not try to log in again until you have spoken to someone at the Department of Labor. They can verify your identity and make sure your account is find.

Can I change my username after I create it?

No. Maryland does not allow you to change your username once it is created. If you want a different username, you would need to contact the Maryland Department of Labor to see if they can help, but typically you will need to keep the username you chose. You can change your password anytime using the "Forgot Password" link.

Do I need to log in every week to file my certification?

Yes. Every week that you are receiving unemployment benefits, you must log in and file a weekly certification form. This form asks questions about your work search, any income you earned that week, and whether you are still unemployed. You can file it anytime during the week it is due — the important date is usually Sunday night, but check your claim details for the exact day.

Is it safe to log in on a public computer?

It is better to avoid logging in on a public computer if you can, because someone else may be able to see your password or personal information. If you must use a public computer, make sure you log out completely when you are done, and do not check the "Remember me" or "Stay logged in" box. Clear your browser history after you leave. On your own computer or phone, these risks are much lower.