Learn About Maryland Unemployment Insurance

Maryland unemployment insurance benefits are government assistance funds granted to state workers who are currently unemployed in order to help them with their job search.

In order to obtain unemployment insurance in Maryland, interested applicants must meet the state qualifications for unemployment benefits, which are set by the MD Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR). After submitting an initial unemployment claim, beneficiaries will be required to re-certify their eligibility on a weekly basis in order to maintain their unemployment coverage.

State employees can submit their Maryland unemployment claims through the internet or by phone. The online application for unemployment has the advantages of allowing petitioners to file for UI benefits at any time from any computer with an online connection. Though, claimants who are computer illiterate or who do not have online access can always get MD unemployment insurance coverage by supplying their information via the department’s Telephone Claim Centers.

Regardless of the method of application, UI applicants will be asked to provide several pieces of information and documents in order to verify their identity and eligibility for the program.

Learn About Maryland Unemployment Resources

The basic unemployment insurance eligibility requirements are the work and the wage criteria. According to the first criterion, only state workers who were separated from their jobs through no fault of their own can qualify for Maryland unemployment insurance. Thus, UI applicants who were fired due to misconduct, or those who left without good reason, do not qualify for federal unemployment benefits.

To satisfy the second requirement, on the other hand, UI petitioners must provide proof of sufficient earned wages during the 12-month base period that occurred prior to their filing for unemployment benefits. Apart from these main requirements, former employees will be required to meet additional criteria during their weekly re-certification procedures.

Unemployment claimants who fail to meet eligibility for unemployment will be denied unemployment benefits in Maryland. In such circumstances, dismissed workers are within their rights to file an unemployment denial appeal. The state’s appeals process is structured into two different levels. At the first level, unemployment applicants can request an audit of their case from the DLLR hearing officer. Unemployment petitioners who are unsatisfied with the judge’s decision can appeal at the second level with the DLLR Board of Appeals.

State workers who exhaust their standard unemployment insurance coverage in Maryland can apply for unemployment benefits extensions. Note that, however, the state only activates these programs during periods of high unemployment. If such an event occurs, the DLLR will notify all eligible candidates and instruct them on how to receive their extended benefits.

Understand Maryland Unemployment Insurance Requirements

Applicants must meet all qualifications for unemployment in Maryland in order to prove that they are physically and mentally able to work and that they are actively seeking a job. When setting the requirements regarding eligibility for unemployment benefits in Maryland, the state Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulations follows the federal unemployment insurance (UI) guidelines.

According to these rules, only former employees who have lost their positions through no fault of their own fulfill the eligibility requirements. Part-time workers who are unable to earn full wages may also qualify for benefits, though they will only be eligible for partial coverage.

Apart from qualifying based on their work separation, UI claimants must also meet the state monetary requirements. According to this criterion, only workers who have earned a minimum amount of wages during their base period are eligible for UI benefits. Depending on the average amount of earned wages, you will be granted a weekly benefit amount between $50 and $430 per week.

Unemployment petitioners who fulfill all initial unemployment insurance eligibility requirements will then have to meet additional criteria on a regular basis in order to maintain the validity of their UI claim.

Applying for Unemployment Benefits in Maryland

The Maryland unemployment registration procedure is accessible to all former employees within the state who are actively seeking a new job. Note that, however, prior to filing an unemployment application in MD, state workers must meet a set of eligibility criteria that prove they are available and willing to work.

Interested applicants can file for an unemployment claim in Maryland through the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation’s Division of Unemployment Insurance.

Dismissed employees who are wondering how to apply for unemployment online may simply submit a UI petition via the Initial Claim System, which is available through the division’s website. Unemployment claimants who are unable to file for unemployment via the internet also have the option to supply their claim information by phone.

After obtaining their first UI payment, beneficiaries will then have to file a weekly UI claim on a regular basis in order to stay eligible for unemployment benefits.

Claiming Benefits for Unemployment in Maryland

Submitting an unemployment benefits claim in Maryland is an option for all state workers who were separated from their last jobs and are actively seeking new employment. The federal unemployment benefits program, Unemployment Insurance (UI), was established by the U.S. Department of Labor and was implemented in Maryland by the state’s Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR).

In order to claim unemployment benefits in MD, interested UI applicants must meet all eligibility criteria set forth by the DLLR. In general, you can only claim federal unemployment benefits in Maryland if you are a former employee who was dismissed through no fault of his or her own and who meets the state monetary qualifications. Once approved, UI beneficiaries will also have to meet additional criteria on a weekly basis, proving that they are able and willing to work, in order to maintain benefits.

Unemployment claimants may receive up to 26 weeks of benefits. The maximum amount of payments, however, depends on their average weekly wages prior to becoming unemployed. Note that, in times of high unemployment, the DLLR may also offer unemployment benefits extensions, which exceed the regular 26 weeks of benefits.

Appealing Denied Unemployment Benefits in Maryland

Former employees who were denied unemployment benefits in Maryland have the right to file an unemployment denial appeal with the Appeals Division of the state Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR). Unemployment insurance (UI) applicants have the option to request a reconsideration of the DLLR decision at several levels of appeals.

State workers who have had their unemployment compensation benefits denied in MD with the initial Notice of Benefit Determination must start the appeals process at the lowest level. Then, if they fail to obtain a favorable outcome at the first level, they can move on to the next.

Note that, however, during the entire Maryland unemployment denial appeal process, UI claimants must continue filing for weekly UI payments in order to receive all due benefits if and when they win their appeal. State employees with denied unemployment coverage must adequately prepare for the appeals procedure in order to ensure the success of their request.

Toward that goal, unemployment petitioners can review the reasons for which the department typically denies UI benefits. Also, UI applicants can collect all necessary evidence and witnesses that will support their case before commencing the procedure.

Learn About Unemployment Benefits Extensions in Maryland

The Maryland federal unemployment extensions are additional payments that supplement the standard unemployment insurance (UI) benefits. These UI continuations serve as a financial safety net to state workers who have difficulties finding a new job.

Note that the only time the state Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR) activates unemployment compensation extensions in Maryland is during times of high unemployment. In such circumstances, only UI beneficiaries who exhaust their regular 26-week UI benefits may become eligible for unemployment benefits extensions, which will last for a number of additional weeks.

Even though the DLLR administers the programs that grant unemployment extensions in MD, they are funded primarily by the federal government. Unemployment beneficiaries who are wondering, “What can I do to extend unemployment benefits,” must first learn whether or not they qualify for UI continuations.

In general, the same eligibility requirements set for the standard UI program apply for extended benefits. Also, once the DLLR activates the unemployment extension programs, it will contact any eligible recipients to instruct them on how to obtain their emergency UI payments. Note that, depending on the type of UI extension program, the duration of extended benefits varies.