Question 1

Can you get unemployment if you were fired in Maryland?

Accepted Answer

Maryland has three levels of misconduct. Ordinary misconduct leads to a disqualification of 10 to 15 weeks, set by how serious it was. Gross misconduct (deliberate and willful disregard of the standards an employer can rightfully expect, or repeated rule violations showing a regular and wanton disregard of your obligations) disqualifies you until you are rehired and earn at least 25 times your weekly benefit amount. Aggravated misconduct is treated separately and more strictly.

Question 2

Can you get unemployment if you quit in Maryland?

Accepted Answer

Quitting without good cause disqualifies you. Good cause must be directly connected to the conditions of employment or the employer's actions; it also covers leaving because of domestic violence that endangers you or a close family member, with documentation. If you quit for a "valid circumstance" (for example, a necessitous or compelling reason with no reasonable alternative, such as a documented health reason, or following a military spouse on a mandatory transfer), the disqualification is 5 to 10 weeks. Without a valid circumstance, you are disqualified until you are reemployed and earn at least 15 times your weekly benefit amount. Quitting to become self-employed, to follow a spouse (other than the military transfer rule) or to attend school never counts as good cause.

Question 3

Can you get unemployment if your hours were cut in Maryland?

Accepted Answer

Benefits are for people unemployed through no fault of their own who are able, available and actively seeking work. If you are working part-time with reduced earnings, you may get partial benefits. Under Maryland's Work Sharing program, an employer can cut hours instead of laying off staff and employees collect partial benefits.

Question 4

How much do you need to have earned to get unemployment in Maryland?

Accepted Answer

You must have earned enough wages in covered employment in at least two quarters of your base period. The standard base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters; if you do not qualify, an alternate base period of the four most recently completed quarters is used. Under the statutory benefit schedule, the lowest qualifying line requires high-quarter wages of more than $1,176 and total base period wages of at least $1,800.

Question 5

How much is unemployment in Maryland?

Accepted Answer

Your weekly benefit amount is set by a schedule based on your highest-quarter wages in the base period. It ranges from $50 to $430 per week. A dependents' allowance of $8 per child under 16 (up to five children) may be added, but the total cannot exceed the $430 maximum.

Question 6

How long can you get unemployment in Maryland?

Accepted Answer

Up to 26 weeks of regular benefits per benefit year. If you receive partial benefits, they can stretch beyond 26 calendar weeks, but you cannot receive more than 26 times your weekly benefit amount. Up to 26 weeks of Additional Training Benefits may be available for some workers in approved training.

Question 7

What are the work search requirements for unemployment in Maryland?

Accepted Answer

Register once in the Maryland Workforce Exchange (MWE), and upload a resume that employers can see and keep it up to date. Each week, complete at least three valid reemployment activities, at least one of which must be a job contact (such as submitting an application, an in-person employer contact or a job interview). Keep a detailed record of contacts and activities; the MWE Job Contact and Reemployment Activity Log is recommended. You may be selected for a required reemployment (RESEA) workshop.

Question 8

Does severance pay affect unemployment in Maryland?

Accepted Answer

Severance pay is deducted from benefits for the number of weeks of your regular wage that it covers; you may qualify after it runs out. Vacation, holiday, bonus and other special pay may reduce or deny benefits for the weeks they cover. Retirement or pension payments from a recent employer may be deducted depending on the amount and type. Back pay counts as wages, but damages do not. Social Security does not need to be reported.

Question 9

How do I apply for unemployment in Maryland?

Accepted Answer

File an initial claim online in BEACON or by calling a claims agent at 667-207-6520. Have your Social Security number, contact details, every employer from the last 18 months with dates and reasons for separation, dependents' information, and any federal (SF-8/SF-50) or military (DD-214) forms. Identity verification may be required. File a weekly claim certification for each week, from Sunday through Saturday of the following week, in BEACON, the MD Unemployment for Claimants app or by phone (410-949-0022 or 800-827-4839). A decision can take up to 21 days.

Question 10

How do I appeal an unemployment denial in Maryland?

Accepted Answer

You normally have 15 days after the mailing date of a benefit determination to appeal; a hearing examiner may extend this for good cause. Appeal in BEACON, by fax to (410) 225-9781, by email to UILowerAppeals.Labor@maryland.gov, or by mail to the Lower Appeals Division. Include your name, the last four digits of your Social Security number, the determination date and why you disagree. Keep filing weekly certifications while you wait.

Question 11

Can you work part-time and collect unemployment in Maryland?

Accepted Answer

Report gross earnings for the week you earned them. You may earn up to $50 a week with no reduction; earnings above $50 are deducted dollar for dollar. If your earnings equal or exceed your weekly benefit amount, you get no payment that week. You must work all hours your employer offers.

Question 12

Can self-employed or gig workers get unemployment in Maryland?

Accepted Answer

Benefits are based on wages from covered employment, which is generally work an employee performs for an employer for wages. Some positions, such as independent contractors, are not covered employment. While claiming, you must report gross earnings, including self-employment income.

Question 13

Where do I log in to my unemployment claim in Maryland?

Accepted Answer

Maryland unemployment claims are handled in the Maryland Unemployment Insurance Portal, called BEACON, run by the Maryland Department of Labor. Log in to BEACON to file your claim and answer the weekly certification questions. To certify your claim or check payment status by phone (24/7), call 410-949-0022 or 1-800-827-4839; claims agents are at 667-207-6520, Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

If you were fired	Maryland has three levels of misconduct. Ordinary misconduct leads to a disqualification of 10 to 15 weeks, set by how serious it was. Gross misconduct (deliberate and willful disregard of the standards an employer can rightfully expect, or repeated rule violations showing a regular and wanton disregard of your obligations) disqualifies you until you are rehired and earn at least 25 times your weekly benefit amount. Aggravated misconduct is treated separately and more strictly. Source: Md. Code, Labor and Employment §§ 8-1002, 8-1003
If you quit	Quitting without good cause disqualifies you. Good cause must be directly connected to the conditions of employment or the employer's actions; it also covers leaving because of domestic violence that endangers you or a close family member, with documentation. If you quit for a "valid circumstance" (for example, a necessitous or compelling reason with no reasonable alternative, such as a documented health reason, or following a military spouse on a mandatory transfer), the disqualification is 5 to 10 weeks. Without a valid circumstance, you are disqualified until you are reemployed and earn at least 15 times your weekly benefit amount. Quitting to become self-employed, to follow a spouse (other than the military transfer rule) or to attend school never counts as good cause. Source: Md. Code, Labor and Employment § 8-1001
Layoffs and reduced hours	Benefits are for people unemployed through no fault of their own who are able, available and actively seeking work. If you are working part-time with reduced earnings, you may get partial benefits. Under Maryland's Work Sharing program, an employer can cut hours instead of laying off staff and employees collect partial benefits. Source: Maryland Department of Labor, Unemployment Insurance in Maryland: A Guide to Reemployment
Earnings needed to qualify	You must have earned enough wages in covered employment in at least two quarters of your base period. The standard base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters; if you do not qualify, an alternate base period of the four most recently completed quarters is used. Under the statutory benefit schedule, the lowest qualifying line requires high-quarter wages of more than $1,176 and total base period wages of at least $1,800. Source: Maryland Department of Labor, A Guide to Reemployment; Md. Code, Labor and Employment § 8-803
Self-employed, 1099 and gig workers	Benefits are based on wages from covered employment, which is generally work an employee performs for an employer for wages. Some positions, such as independent contractors, are not covered employment. While claiming, you must report gross earnings, including self-employment income. Source: Maryland Department of Labor, Division of Unemployment Insurance, Claimant Information Pamphlet

Weekly benefit amount	Your weekly benefit amount is set by a schedule based on your highest-quarter wages in the base period. It ranges from $50 to $430 per week. A dependents' allowance of $8 per child under 16 (up to five children) may be added, but the total cannot exceed the $430 maximum. The $430 maximum is fixed in the statutory schedule rather than adjusted each year; the schedule in effect when your benefit year starts applies for the whole year. Source: Maryland Department of Labor, A Guide to Reemployment; Md. Code, Labor and Employment § 8-803
How many weeks	Up to 26 weeks of regular benefits per benefit year. If you receive partial benefits, they can stretch beyond 26 calendar weeks, but you cannot receive more than 26 times your weekly benefit amount. Up to 26 weeks of Additional Training Benefits may be available for some workers in approved training. Source: Maryland Department of Labor, A Guide to Reemployment
Working part-time on benefits	Report gross earnings for the week you earned them. You may earn up to $50 a week with no reduction; earnings above $50 are deducted dollar for dollar. If your earnings equal or exceed your weekly benefit amount, you get no payment that week. You must work all hours your employer offers. Source: Maryland Department of Labor, A Guide to Reemployment
Severance and vacation pay	Severance pay is deducted from benefits for the number of weeks of your regular wage that it covers; you may qualify after it runs out. Vacation, holiday, bonus and other special pay may reduce or deny benefits for the weeks they cover. Retirement or pension payments from a recent employer may be deducted depending on the amount and type. Back pay counts as wages, but damages do not. Social Security does not need to be reported. Source: Maryland Department of Labor, A Guide to Reemployment

How to apply	File an initial claim online in BEACON or by calling a claims agent at 667-207-6520. Have your Social Security number, contact details, every employer from the last 18 months with dates and reasons for separation, dependents' information, and any federal (SF-8/SF-50) or military (DD-214) forms. Identity verification may be required. File a weekly claim certification for each week, from Sunday through Saturday of the following week, in BEACON, the MD Unemployment for Claimants app or by phone (410-949-0022 or 800-827-4839). A decision can take up to 21 days. Source: Maryland Department of Labor, A Guide to Reemployment; Claimants page
Work search requirements	Register once in the Maryland Workforce Exchange (MWE), and upload a resume that employers can see and keep it up to date. Each week, complete at least three valid reemployment activities, at least one of which must be a job contact (such as submitting an application, an in-person employer contact or a job interview). Keep a detailed record of contacts and activities; the MWE Job Contact and Reemployment Activity Log is recommended. You may be selected for a required reemployment (RESEA) workshop. Source: Maryland Department of Labor, A Guide to Reemployment
Appealing a denial	You normally have 15 days after the mailing date of a benefit determination to appeal; a hearing examiner may extend this for good cause. Appeal in BEACON, by fax to (410) 225-9781, by email to UILowerAppeals.Labor@maryland.gov, or by mail to the Lower Appeals Division. Include your name, the last four digits of your Social Security number, the determination date and why you disagree. Keep filing weekly certifications while you wait. Source: Maryland Department of Labor, Lower Appeals Division; A Guide to Reemployment
Logging in and filing weekly claims	Maryland unemployment claims are handled in the Maryland Unemployment Insurance Portal, called BEACON, run by the Maryland Department of Labor. Log in to BEACON to file your claim and answer the weekly certification questions. To certify your claim or check payment status by phone (24/7), call 410-949-0022 or 1-800-827-4839; claims agents are at 667-207-6520, Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-4 p.m. BEACON claimant login: https://beacon.labor.maryland.gov/beacon/claimant-page.html Source: Maryland Department of Labor, Unemployment Insurance

Maryland Unemployment Benefits: Who Qualifies, How Much, and How to Apply

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