Maryland Unemployment Benefit Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits in Maryland, you must meet the following requirements:

Earning Requirements:

  • You must have earned at least $3,200 (rounded down to the nearest hundred dollars) in wages during two of the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you filed your claim.

Work Status Requirements:

  • You must be unemployed through no fault of your own. This means that you were laid off, fired for reasons beyond your control, or had your hours significantly reduced.
  • You must be able to work, available to work, and actively seeking work. This means that you must be physically and mentally able to work, willing to accept suitable work, and actively searching for employment.
  • You must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Additional Requirements:

  • You must have filed your claim within 30 days of your last day of work.
  • You must not have quit your last job voluntarily without good cause.
  • You must not have been discharged from your last job for misconduct.
  • You must not be receiving other unemployment benefits from another state or country.

Weekly Eligibility Requirements:

In addition to the initial eligibility requirements, you must continue to meet certain requirements to receive benefits each week. These requirements include:

  • You must be physically able to work.
  • You must be available to work full-time.
  • You must be actively looking for work. This means that you must make three work search contacts per week.
  • You must not refuse suitable work. This means that you must accept any job offer that is similar to your previous job in terms of pay, hours, and working conditions.

How to Apply for Unemployment Benefits:

You can apply for unemployment benefits online, by phone, or in person at a Maryland Workforce Exchange (MWE) center. To apply, you will need to provide your personal information, employment history, and reason for unemployment.

How Much Will You Receive in Benefits?

The amount of weekly benefits you will receive is based on your earnings in the base period. The minimum weekly benefit amount in Maryland is $50, and the maximum weekly benefit amount is $430.

How Long Will You Receive Benefits?

The maximum number of weeks you can receive benefits depends on your earnings in the base period. The minimum number of weeks you can receive benefits is 26, and the maximum number of weeks you can receive benefits is 26. However, if a federal extension program is available, you may be able to receive benefits for up to 52 weeks.

For More Information:

For more information about unemployment benefits in Maryland, please visit the Maryland Department of Labor website or call the MWE customer service line at 1-800-632-7445.

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