How do I file for unemployment benefits in Maryland?

Q: How do I file for unemployment benefits in Maryland?

Maryland unemployment is administered by the Department of Labor — Division of Unemployment Insurance under Md. Code Lab. & Empl. § 8-101 et seq. 1. How and When to File - File online at beacon.labor.maryland.gov through BEACON (the Maryland UI portal). - File the first week of unemployment. - The waiting week was eliminated in 2020 . 2. Weekly Benefit Amount - Range: $50 to $430 per week (2025). - Plus $8 per dependent , up to 5 dependents = $40 additional. - Calculated as 1/24th of high-quarter wages . - Maximum 26 weeks of regular benefits. 3. Eligibility Requirements (Md. Code Lab. & Empl. § 8-803) - Wages in at least two quarters of the base period. - Base-period wages of at least 1.5× high-quarter wages. - Minimum base-period wages of about $1,800 (varies by year). - Lost work through no fault of your own — not discharged for misconduct (§ 8-1003), gross misconduct (§ 8-1002), or aggravated misconduct (§ 8-1002.1) — or voluntary quit without good cause (§ 8-1001). - Be able to work, available, and actively seeking work . 4. Work Search Requirement - Must make at least 3 valid reemployment activities per week . - Must register at Maryland Workforce Exchange within 7 days. - Maintain a written log. 5. Filing Weekly Claims - File a weekly claim certification through BEACON or by phone. - Earnings up to $50/week or 1/3 of WBA are disregarded. 6. Appeals - Appeal a denial within 15 days of the determination notice. This is legal information, not legal advice.

Question

Accepted Answer

Maryland unemployment is administered by the Department of Labor — Division of Unemployment Insurance under Md. Code Lab. & Empl. § 8-101 et seq.

1. How and When to File

File online at beacon.labor.maryland.gov through BEACON (the Maryland UI portal).

File the first week of unemployment.

The waiting week was eliminated in 2020.

2. Weekly Benefit Amount

Range: $50 to $430 per week (2025).

Plus $8 per dependent, up to 5 dependents = $40 additional.

Calculated as 1/24th of high-quarter wages.

Maximum 26 weeks of regular benefits.

3. Eligibility Requirements (Md. Code Lab. & Empl. § 8-803)

Wages in at least two quarters of the base period.

Base-period wages of at least 1.5× high-quarter wages.

Minimum base-period wages of about $1,800 (varies by year).

Lost work through no fault of your own — not discharged for misconduct (§ 8-1003), gross misconduct (§ 8-1002), or aggravated misconduct (§ 8-1002.1) — or voluntary quit without good cause (§ 8-1001).

Be able to work, available, and actively seeking work.

4. Work Search Requirement

Must make at least 3 valid reemployment activities per week.

Must register at Maryland Workforce Exchange within 7 days.

Maintain a written log.

5. Filing Weekly Claims

File a weekly claim certification through BEACON or by phone.

Earnings up to $50/week or 1/3 of WBA are disregarded.

6. Appeals

Appeal a denial within 15 days of the determination notice.

This is legal information, not legal advice.