Claimant Most Frequently Asked Questions - Unemployment Insurance

1099-G Information for Tax Year 2024

Appeals - Lower Appeals

Appeals - Board of Appeals

BEACON

Benefit Payment Options - Direct Deposit or Check

Claims Filing - Initial Claims

Claims Filing - Weekly Claim Certifications

Denials and Payments

Eligibility Requirements

Information for New Claimants

Overpayments and Fraud

Reapplying for Unemployment Insurance (UI) Benefits in BEACON

Repayment of UI Benefits for Furloughed Federal Employees

Trade Adjustment Assistance

TrueID Identity Verification Process

Work Search

Work Sharing Information for Employees

Archived FAQs

Benefit Payment and Bank of America Debit Card Information

IMPORTANT: Please note that the department is transitioning from paying unemployment insurance claimants their benefits with a Bank of America debit card to direct deposit or paper check through Wells Fargo. Claimants will begin receiving their benefit payments via direct deposit or paper check in May 2021. Find more information about the transition and next steps claimants need to take.

1. What is the Maryland Unemployment Insurance Benefits Debit Card?
The Maryland Unemployment Insurance Benefits Debit Card is a Visa^® debit card issued through Bank of America. This card is not a credit card. It carries no credit line and you are not subject to a credit check or approval process to receive the card. If you are approved for Unemployment Insurance benefits, payments are applied to this debit card issued to you through the Bank of America. Purchases and withdrawals are limited to the balance on your card. The Debit Card is valid for three (3) years.

2. Must I receive all unemployment benefit payments on the Maryland Unemployment Insurance issued debit card?
No, you do not have to receive your payments on a debit card. You have the option to choose to receive your UI payments through a paper check that will be mailed to your address on file via the United States Postal Service. If you choose to receive your benefit payments by paper check, please call one of the following numbers:

667-207-6520, or
711 ( Maryland Relay for hearing impaired)

3. When will I receive a debit card?
If your UI payments are approved you will first receive a notice entitled "Notice of First Benefit Payment Approval and Mailing of Your Bank of America Debit Card." Under normal circumstances, you should receive your debit card within 10 days business days after that. Your Debit Card will:

Arrive in a white envelope with the State of Maryland logo and a Tennessee return address in the upper left-hand corner.
Be mailed to the address you provided to this agency. It will not be forwarded.
Need to be activated as soon as you receive it.

4. If I receive a debit card, does that mean that I have met the eligibility criteria to receive Maryland unemployment insurance benefits and have been paid?
Receipt of the card means that your initial payments are available, but it does not mean that you will automatically be eligible to continue to receive UI benefits. However, if you continue to file timely weekly claims certifications and continue to meet all of the eligibility requirements per Maryland UI Law, all future benefits will be paid through the same debit card that you originally received.

5. How can I access my unemployment insurance benefit payments using my debit card?
To access your funds with your debit card, free of charge, you can:

Withdraw cash from the bank teller window at any bank that accepts Visa.
Withdraw cash from a Bank of America ATM fee-free (You are allowed 6 fee-free withdrawals per month at NON-Bank of America ATMs. Owners of these ATMs may still charge a fee.)
Transfer your unemployment insurance payments to your personal bank account (similar to direct deposit). You must have an email address for direct transfer.
Make purchases through signature or pin-based transactions.
Get cash back at select retail point-of-sale locations.

6. This is the first time I am receiving unemployment insurance benefits. When and how will I receive my debit card?
If you have applied for unemployment insurance benefits and have been approved, you will receive a notice from the Maryland Department of Labor’s Division of Unemployment Insurance entitled "Notice of First Benefit Payment Approval and Mailing of Your Bank of America Debit Card." You will then receive a Bank of America debit card in the mail within 7-10 business days.

7. Once I receive my debit card, how do I use it and keep track of funds?
Once you receive your debit card, you must activate the card and create a PIN before it can be used. You can access your account by visiting the bank's website. You can also download the Bank of America Prepaid Card app from any app store. Using the website or the app, you can keep track of recent transactions, deposits, and balance amounts. We also recommend that you sign up for text or email alerts.

8. What funds will be available on my debit card once I receive it?
All benefit payments made prior to receipt of your debit card will be immediately available when you receive your debit card. To receive subsequent payments, you must file your weekly claim certifications in a timely manner by visiting MDunemployment.com.

9. I have received unemployment insurance benefits from the State of Maryland within the past three years. Will I get a new card in the mail?
If you have received unemployment insurance benefits in Maryland within the past three years, your new unemployment insurance benefit payments will be loaded onto your old card. Debit cards issued by Bank of America for benefit payments are valid for three years.

10. I have received unemployment insurance benefits from the State of Maryland, but it was more than three years ago and my debit card has expired. What happens then?
If your previous card has expired, a replacement card with a new expiration date will typically be sent once the Division of Unemployment Insurance posts a new payment to your account. You can also proactively request a new card online through the new Replace My Card tab on the bank’s website. The replacement card will be sent to the address on file with the Division of Unemployment Insurance, so it is imperative that it be accurate and up-to-date.

11. I have received notification that funds are available, but I have not received my debit card. What should I do?
If this is your first time receiving unemployment insurance benefits, please allow 7-10 business days from the benefit notification date for the debit card to arrive in the mail. If you have received benefits within the past three years, benefits will be loaded onto your old card.

12. I can’t find my old debit card. How do I order a replacement?
You will need to request a replacement card online through the new Replace My Card tab on the bank’s website. Please allow 7-10 business days after the order date for the card to arrive in the mail. If you make another request for a new card while the first card is still in transit, the second request will permanently block the first card.

13. I can’t remember my PIN number. How do I reset it?
You can reset your PIN by logging into your Bank of America card account. Choose “My Settings” and then “My PIN”.

14. What if I chose to receive benefits by check?
If you chose to receive your unemployment insurance benefit payments through paper checks, then you will not receive a debit card. The checks are issued by the Division of Unemployment Insurance, not Bank of America.

15. Why would I not receive a Bank of America debit card in the mail?
You will not receive a Bank of America debit card in the mail if you are determined to be ineligible for benefits, have requested to receive benefit payments through paper checks, or have already received a debit card from the State of Maryland that is less than three years old.

16. Can Bank of America change my address?
No. Your address cannot be changed via the Bank of America website nor by Bank of America customer service. Please contact the Maryland Department of Labor’s Division of Unemployment Insurance to update your address.

17. I need additional assistance from Bank of America. How do I contact them via phone?
You can call the Bank of America Customer Service Center toll-free at 1-855- 847-2029, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

For additional information regarding the Division of Unemployment Insurance, please read our Guide to Getting Started with Your Maryland Unemployment Benefits Debit Card.

For additional information regarding the Bank of America card program, visit their website and FAQs.

COVID-19 Information for Self-Employed Individuals

COVID-19 Information for Self-Employed Individuals

The following information addresses temporary, federal unemployment insurance (UI) programs that benefitted self-employed individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BEACON 2.0 FAQs

Claims Filing - Initial Claims FAQs

When should I file my initial claim to begin the unemployment insurance benefits process?
You should file your initial claim immediately following your last physical day of work. Monetary eligibility for unemployment insurance benefits cannot be determined until your initial claim is filed.

You may be required to file an initial claim again if you are receiving benefits under a federal program, such as PUA or PEUC. Federal law requires the Maryland Division of Unemployment Insurance (the Division) to check if a claimant is eligible for regular unemployment insurance when the quarter changes (July 1 and October 1) and when the claimant's benefit year expires. If the claimant has earned wages in Maryland or in another state during the base period (see questions 7 and 8), the claimant will be required to complete an initial claim application again.

Reapplying for Unemployment Insurance Benefits in BEACON 2.0 FAQs

Why do I need to reapply for unemployment insurance (UI) benefits?
Claimants need to reapply to re-establish their eligibility for UI benefits only under certain circumstances. These circumstances include, but are not limited to:
- The claimant’s monetary eligibility needs to be redetermined.
Note: A claimant is monetarily ineligible for benefits if the claimant does not have sufficient earnings from a covered employer in the base period, for example during a quarter change.
- The benefit year has expired.
Note: The benefit year is the 52-week period starting on the effective date, which is the Sunday of the week in which a new claim is filed.
- If you need to reapply for benefits, you will see an “Apply for Benefits” button in your BEACON 2.0 portal.
Note: Claimants who received PUA or PEUC benefits were also required, per federal law, to reapply for benefits during each change in the quarter (after March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31). PUA and PEUC claimants were also required to reapply when their benefit years expired. The temporary, federal pandemic UI programs, which include PUA, PEUC, FPUC, and MEUC, expired the week ending September 4, 2021, in Maryland.
How do I determine if my benefit year has expired?
To determine if your benefit year has expired, select “Benefit Payment” from the left menu in your BEACON portal. Select “Payment History” and navigate to the Potential Benefits by Program section, as shown in the images below. Your benefit year expiration date is the date listed for your Regular UI claim in the Benefit Year End Date column. Use the Regular UI claim date even if you are receiving benefits under PUA or PEUC.

Work Search FAQs

Am I required to search for work during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, claimants were temporarily exempt from the requirement to actively search for work.

However, Maryland’s active search for work requirements was reinstated on Sunday, July 4, 2021, for claimants receiving regular unemployment insurance benefits. Individuals who are receiving benefits under the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) and the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) programs are required to search for work beginning Sunday, July 18, 2021. Claimants must search for work to maintain their eligibility for benefits. Claimants are also required to be able and available for work.

If you are in a union with a hiring hall, you must make regular work search contacts in the manner prescribed by your union.

When you file your weekly claim certification, you will be asked whether or not you actively looked for work during the benefit week for which you are requesting payment. If you did not actively search for work, your benefit payments may be delayed or denied.

NOTE: Failure to satisfy these requirements may result in a delay or denial of your benefits. DUI conducts claim audits, which include verifying your job contacts and reemployment activities. If you received benefits during a week in which you did not meet the work search requirement, you will be required to repay all overpaid benefits that you were not eligible to receive.

Proof of Employment Documentation Requirement for PUA Claimants

Congress extended the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program through the Continued Assistance for Unemployed Workers Act on December 27, 2020. As part of that new law, PUA claimants must provide proof of their employment to be eligible for the federal program. While PUA claimants were previously required to provide proof of income documentation to determine their weekly benefit amount (WBA), this new requirement to provide proof of employment documentation is a fraud prevention measure.

A link to upload this documentation will appear as an Action Item in your BEACON portal, if it has not already. If you filed your initial claim for benefits before January 31, 2021, you must provide this documentation within 90 days of receiving the action item. If you filed your initial claim for benefits after January 31, 2021, you must provide this documentation within 21 calendar days of receiving the action item. This deadline may be extended if you have a good reason why you could not provide the documentation within the time limit, such as having limited access to your BEACON portal.

The proof of employment document must demonstrate proof of employment or self-employment (or the planned commencement of employment or self-employment) at some point between the start of the previous completed tax year and the date you filed your PUA claim.

2020 Claim Effective Date - If the claim effective date is in the year 2020, then the tax year is 2019. For example, an individual that filed a claim effective December 27, 2020, must submit documentation that proves employment or self-employment that occurred between January 1, 2019 (the start of the previous tax year) and December 27, 2020.

2021 Claim Effective Date - If the claim effective date is in the year 2021, then the tax year is 2020. For example, an individual that filed a claim effective January 3, 2021, must submit documentation that substantiates employment or self-employment that occurred between January 1, 2020 (the start of the applicable tax year) and January 3, 2021.

Unlike the proof of income documentation requirement used to determine a claimant’s WBA, proof of employment documentation that substantiates employment or self-employment does not need to cover the entire period in which an individual was working.

Acceptable documentation to substantiate proof of employment or self-employment (or the planned commencement of employment or self-employment) includes, but is not limited to:

For proof of employment:

paycheck stubs,
earnings and leave statements showing the employer’s name and address, and
W-2 forms when available.

For proof of self-employment:

state or Federal employer identification numbers,
business licenses,
tax returns or 1099s,
business receipts, and
signed affidavits from persons verifying the individual’s self-employment.

For proof of employment with organizations such as the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, and educational or religious organizations:

documentation provided by these organizations, and
signed affidavits from persons verifying the individual’s attachment to such organizations.

For proof that you planned to start employment:

letters offering employment, and
statements/affidavits by individuals (with name and contact information) verifying an offer of employment.

For proof that you planned to start self-employment:

business licenses,
state or Federal employer identification numbers,
written business plans, and
lease agreements.

Please note that even if you provided this same documentation in response to the original proof of income action item, you must reupload the document to your BEACON portal to both satisfy the proof of employment action item and the federal program requirements.

Maryland’s Division of Unemployment Insurance will review the documentation you have uploaded and determine your eligibility for PUA benefits. You may receive correspondence through your BEACON portal and through the United States Postal Service, based on your preferred method of communication.

You may also be contacted to discuss any issues concerning your proof of employment. Please ensure the telephone number, e-mail address, and/or physical address that you have provided to us through your BEACON portal are accurate and up-to-date. All correspondences will also be immediately available through your BEACON portal. If you wish to receive e-mail or text message alerts when you have correspondences or Action Items in your portal, you may update your communication preference in your BEACON portal.

IF YOU KNOWINGLY GIVE FALSE INFORMATION OR FAIL TO DISCLOSE INFORMATION, IN ORDER TO OBTAIN OR INCREASE BENEFITS, YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO REPAY THOSE BENEFITS AND WILL BE DISQUALIFIED FROM RECEIVING ADDITIONAL BENEFITS FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. IF YOU ARE FOUND GUILTY OF FRAUD, YOU MAY BE FINED AND/OR IMPRISONED.

If the Division determines that the documentation you provided is sufficient to substantiate your employment or self-employment (or planned commencement of employment or self-employment), you continue to meet all of the eligibility requirements of the PUA program and Maryland UI Law, and you file timely weekly claim certifications, you will continue to receive your PUA benefits as usual.

If the Division determines that the documentation you provided is NOT sufficient to substantiate your employment or self-employment (or planned commencement of employment or self-employment), you will be determined ineligible for PUA benefits and you may be required to repay some or all of any benefits you have received.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Related Issues (Federal Pandemic UI Programs)

NOTE: The temporary, federal unemployment insurance programs (described below) expired the week ending Saturday, September 4, 2021, in Maryland. See Question 1 for more information about the week ending date. However, eligible claimants will receive benefits under these programs (for weeks on or before the week ending September 4, 2021), even if a determination of eligibility is made after September 4, 2021.

American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) UI Benefit Provisions

1. Who is eligible for benefits under ARPA?

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) provisions extended several temporary federal unemployment insurance programs, including Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC), Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC), and Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation (MEUC). ARPA was signed into law on March 11, 2021.

NOTE: The unemployment insurance programs extended under ARPA (PUA, PEUC, MEUC, and FPUC) expired the week ending Saturday, September 4, 2021, in Maryland.

The week ending date is the end of the benefit week for which a qualifying claimant should file a weekly claim certification to request benefit payments. In Maryland, the benefit week always begins on a Sunday and ends on a Saturday. The number of weeks of benefits you receive varies according to the UI program through which you are collecting benefits and is dependent on your continued eligibility for benefits.

You must report all of the money you earn each week on your weekly claim certification. You will need to report your gross wages. However, if you earn any income from self-employment, consulting, gig work, or working as an independent contractor, you must report your net income. If you earn money in a week that you receive benefits, the amount that you earn will be deducted from your benefit payment. There is a $50 threshold for earnings deductions. Due to recent state legislation enacted due to COVID-19, a $200 threshold for earnings deductions applies from the week of unemployment ending April 17, 2021, to the week ending June 29, 2021. For example, if you are eligible for a $430 Weekly Benefit Amount for one of those weeks and you earn $400 in a week, you would be eligible for $230 in benefits that week. You would also receive the additional $300 weekly FPUC amount, so your total benefit payment for that week would be $530.

a) Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA): Individuals who are not eligible for Regular Unemployment Insurance (Regular UI) benefits and who are unemployed due to a COVID-19 related reason may be eligible to receive up to 79 weeks of benefits under PUA between the weeks ending Saturday, March 20, 2021, and Saturday, September 4, 2021.

NOTE: PUA expired the week ending Saturday, September 4, 2021, in Maryland.

The 79 week maximum includes any weeks of PUA that a claimant previously received and any weeks of Regular UI and Extended Benefits (EB) that a claimant received after February 2, 2020. Claimants who are self-employed, independent contractors, gig economy workers, or who do not have sufficient work history are not normally eligible for Regular UI, but may qualify for PUA.

To qualify for PUA, claimants must provide proof of their employment, self-employment, planned commencement of employment, or planned commencement of self-employment. Claimants will receive an Action Item in BEACON 2.0 with a link to upload this documentation. Individuals who filed an initial claim before January 31, 2021, must upload this documentation within 90 days of receiving the action item, and individuals who filed an initial claim after January 31, 2021, must upload this documentation within 21 days. All PUA claimants will receive an Action Item in their BEACON portals to upload this documentation. See the Proof of Employment Documentation Requirement for PUA Claimants web page and FAQ number 22 (Why am I being asked to provide proof of self-employment or planned commencement of employment or self-employment for PUA?) for additional information and for a list of acceptable documents that demonstrate proof of employment. In an effort to prevent fraud, PUA claimants may be required to provide additional identity verification documentation.

Additionally, PUA claimants must also be unemployed or underemployed due to one of the following COVID-19 related reasons:

b) Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC): Eligible claimants can receive an additional $300 per week, in addition to their weekly benefit amount, under FPUC.

NOTE: FPUC expired the week ending Saturday, September 4, 2021, in Maryland.

Qualifying claimants will receive FPUC automatically and do not need to file an additional application. To qualify for FPUC, claimants must be receiving at least $1 in benefits under one of the following unemployment insurance programs: Regular UI; PEUC; PUA; Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE); Unemployment Compensation for Ex-Servicemembers (UCX); Extended Benefits (EB); Short-Time Compensation (STC) (called Work Sharing in Maryland); and Trade Readjustment Allowances (TRA). If you are eligible, you will receive FPUC automatically. You do not need to apply for the FPUC program.

You will receive your FPUC payments at the same time that you receive your other unemployment compensation payments. The first FPUC payment you receive will include any prior weeks of FPUC that you were eligible for, but did not previously receive.

c) Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC): PEUC provides additional weeks of unemployment benefits for claimants who have exhausted their 26 weeks of Regular UI benefits (since July 1, 2019).

NOTE: PEUC expired the week ending Saturday, September 4, 2021, in Maryland.

PEUC provides a maximum of 53 additional weeks of benefits for claimants, which includes any previous weeks of PEUC benefits a claimant received.

d) Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation (MEUC): MEUC provides an additional $100 weekly payment to eligible claimants who earned both employment wages and at least $5,000 in net self-employment income in the completed taxable year prior to their Regular UI application.

NOTE: MEUC expired the week ending Saturday, September 4, 2021, in Maryland.

Claimants must also be receiving Regular UI, PEUC, EB, or Work Sharing benefits (based on the W-2 income only) to be eligible for MEUC.

For claimants who applied for Regular UI benefits prior to the week ending January 2, 2021, the most recent tax year refers to Calendar Year 2019. For claimants who applied for Regular UI after the week ending January 2, 2021, the most recent tax year refers to Calendar Year 2020. Claimants receiving PUA are NOT eligible for MEUC. The MEUC program was extended by ARPA. MEUC is available in Maryland from the weeks ending Saturday, January 2, 2021, to Saturday, September 4, 2021.

The Maryland Department of Labor began accepting applications for the MEUC program on Monday, March 1, 2021, and began making MEUC payments on Friday, March 12, 2021. Claimants will receive payment backdated to their earliest date of eligibility. All potentially eligible claimants will be notified.

2. How much will I be eligible for?

NOTE: The week ending Saturday, September 4, 2021, was the last payable week for benefits under the temporary, federal pandemic UI programs. However, eligible claimants will receive benefits under these programs (for weeks on or before the week ending September 4, 2021), even if a determination of eligibility is made after September 4, 2021.

Under PUA, the Weekly Benefit Amount (WBA) is calculated based on your earnings in the prior Calendar Year, with a minimum WBA of $176. As an example, if you applied for PUA in 2020, your WBA is based on the wages and income you earned in 2019. If you applied for PUA in 2021, your WBA is based on the wages and income you earned in 2020.

Under PEUC, the benefit amount is the same as the Regular Unemployment Insurance WBA that you received.

Under FPUC, eligible claimants will receive an additional $300 per week in unemployment insurance benefits. The additional benefits are available from the weeks ending March 20, 2021, to September 4, 2021, in Maryland.

Under MEUC, claimants who earned qualifying employment and self-employment income, and who also receive benefits under the Regular UI, PEUC, EB, or Work Sharing programs, may receive an additional $100 weekly benefit. PUA claimants are NOT eligible for MEUC.

3. What documentation do I need to provide to show COVID-19 is the reason I cannot work?

When you file your initial claim application, you will be able to select the reason that you cannot work. If you select a reason related to COVID-19, then you will also be required to affirm through a self-certification that you are unable to work due to COVID-19.

4. Are my unemployment insurance benefits taxable?

Unemployment insurance (UI) benefits are subject to federal, state and, if applicable, local taxes: federal tax (10%); Maryland state tax (7%). You can opt to have either/or both federal and state taxes withheld from your benefits, or to not have any taxes withheld at all. Benefits received through the federal pandemic UI programs (PUA, PEUC, MEUC, and FPUC), are also taxable.

The Maryland Relief Act waives local and state income taxes on UI benefits for the 2020 and 2021 tax years. Under the Maryland Relief Act, this waiver is available to taxpayers with the following filing status: single; married; married filing separately; and dependent. Taxpayers must have a Federal Adjusted Gross Income (FAGI) of less than $75,000, and filers with married filing jointly, head of household, or surviving spouse status must have a FAGI of less than $100,000.

5. Are gig workers, freelancers, and independent contractors covered in the bill?

Yes. PUA is a special program which provides benefits to those who are not traditionally eligible for unemployment insurance, including gig workers (Uber, Lyft, Airbnb hosts, etc.), freelancers, and independent contractors.

6. I am self-employed, but my business is no longer providing me with any income. Am I eligible for benefits? If so, when should I apply?

Yes, self-employed people remain eligible for PUA benefits under ARPA. Self-employed workers are also eligible for the additional $300 weekly FPUC amount. ARPA extended the pandemic federal UI programs (PUA, PEUC, MEUC, and FPUC) from the weeks ending March 20, 2021, to September 4, 2021.

7. I am a part-time worker who lost my job as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Am I eligible for benefits?

Yes. Part-time workers who are unemployed may be eligible for benefits. Your recent wages are taken into consideration when calculating the amount of benefits you will receive. You will also be eligible for the additional $300 weekly FPUC benefit.

8. I have been working part-time and my employer recently reduced my hours. Am I eligible to file for benefits?

You may be eligible for partial benefits if your hours were reduced as a result of a specified COVID-19 related reason, and your reported earnings are not greater than your Weekly Benefit Amount.

9. What if I have COVID-19 or need to care for a family member who has COVID-19?

If you received a diagnosis, are experiencing symptoms, or are seeking a diagnosis for COVID-19 — and you are unemployed, partly unemployed or cannot work as a result — you may be eligible to receive unemployment insurance benefits. If you need to care for a member of your family or household who has received a COVID-19 diagnosis, you may also be eligible to receive unemployment insurance benefits.

10. What if my child’s school or daycare shut down?

If you rely on a school, day care, or another facility to care for a child so that you can work — and that facility is shut down because of coronavirus — you may be eligible to receive unemployment insurance benefits.

11. What if I am advised by a healthcare provider to quarantine because of exposure to coronavirus? What about government orders to stay at home?

If you must self-quarantine due to possible exposure to the coronavirus, you may be eligible to receive unemployment insurance benefits under ARPA. In the event of a government stay-at-home order, you may be eligible to receive unemployment insurance benefits if you cannot reach your place of employment and if you are not given the option to telework.

12. I was about to start a new job and now cannot get there because of an outbreak.

Under ARPA, individuals who planned to commence employment or self-employment, but were unable to due to COVID-19, may be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits. You may also be eligible if you do not have sufficient work history to qualify for benefits under traditional circumstances.

13. I became unemployed a few weeks ago and I am now filing for unemployment benefits. Can I backdate my claim?

Claimants can backdate their claim for Regular Unemployment Insurance benefits to the first affected week of unemployment. However, if you are a claimant who filed/files for PUA after December 27, 2020, you can only backdate your claim to the week ending December 12, 2020, in Maryland, per federal requirements. Claimants who filed for PUA before December 27, 2020, can backdate their claims to the first affected week of unemployment (back to the PUA program start date of February 2, 2020). To backdate your claim greater than one week, you must contact a claims agent for assistance at 667-207-6520.

14. I had to quit my job because I, or someone in my household, was directly impacted by the coronavirus. Am I eligible to apply for benefits?

Under some circumstances, an employee who had to quit a job due to the impact of COVID-19 may be eligible for UI benefits. For example, if you had to quit because a healthcare provider recommended that you quarantine, or because your child’s daycare closed and you are the primary caregiver, those reasons for quitting are covered and you may be eligible for benefits.

A claimant who quits a job out of fear of exposure to COVID-19, however, may not be eligible for UI benefits. For an individual to be eligible for benefits in this circumstance, the reason for quitting must be based on the individual’s personal health or the health of a member of the individual’s household.

15. My employer shut down operations (temporarily or permanently) because of coronavirus. Am I eligible for benefits?

If you are unemployed, partially unemployed, or unable to work because your employer closed down (temporarily or permanently) due to COVID-19, you may be eligible to receive unemployment insurance benefits under ARPA.

To file a claim for benefits, visit BEACON or file by calling a claims agent 667-207-6520. For claims agent hours, see Claimant Contact Information.

16. What if my employer goes out of business as a result of COVID-19?

If your employer goes out of business as a result of COVID-19, the Division of Unemployment Insurance recommends that you file a claim for unemployment insurance, as you are considered to be unemployed through no fault of your own. To file a claim for benefits 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, visit BEACON, or call a live claims agent at 667-207-6520. For live agent hours, see the Claimant Contact Information webpage.

17. Is anyone explicitly excluded from receiving assistance under the law?

Workers who are able to perform their job through paid telework, and those receiving paid sick leave or other paid leave benefits for their customary work week, are not eligible. Additionally, individuals who are not separated from employment due to a COVID-19 related reason are ineligible for PUA, but may be eligible for benefits under a different unemployment insurance benefit program.

18. How long will my benefit payments last?

It will vary according to the UI program through which you are collecting benefits and is dependent on your continued eligibility for benefits. Maryland provides up to 26 weeks of Regular UI benefits. The PEUC program provides up to 53 additional weeks of benefit payments to claimants who exhaust 26 weeks of Regular UI benefits. The PUA program provides up to 79 weeks of UI benefits for non-traditional workers. PEUC and PUA benefits will be available until the claimant reaches the program’s maximum number of weeks or until the week ending Saturday, September 4, 2021.

NOTE: PUA, PEUC, MEUC, and FPUC expired the week ending Saturday, September 4, 2021, in Maryland.

19. I did not earn enough to qualify for Regular unemployment insurance benefits. Am I eligible for assistance under the ARPA programs?

Individuals without sufficient work history, who are unable to work due to a COVID-19 related reason, may be eligible for benefits under the PUA program. An individual who lacks sufficient work history is someone who has not worked for a long enough period of time or for a consistent duration, and who did not earn enough wages to be eligible for Regular UI.

20. I am already receiving Regular UI benefits. Will I receive any additional assistance under ARPA?

Even if you are already receiving Regular UI benefits for reasons unrelated to the coronavirus, you may be eligible to apply for PEUC to receive up to an additional 53 weeks of benefits. Claimants must exhaust their 26 weeks of Regular UI benefits before they are eligible for PEUC. A claimant who receives at least $1 in Regular UI benefits during the FPUC program dates is also eligible for the $300 weekly FPUC supplement.

21. I recently exhausted my Regular unemployment insurance (UI) benefits. How can I get an extension?

If you exhausted your Regular UI benefits after July 1, 2019, you may be eligible for PEUC benefits. If you meet the eligibility requirements, you can receive up to 53 additional weeks of UI benefits. Please log in to your BEACON 2.0 claimant portal to apply.

22. Will receiving benefits disqualify me from any other programs?

The benefits provided under the ARPA UI programs may affect your eligibility for other programs. For example, the additional $300 FPUC benefit counts as income when determining eligibility for means-tested programs, except for Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The MEUC additional $100 benefit DOES count as income for purposes of eligibility for Medicaid and CHIP.

23. Why am I being asked to provide proof of self-employment or planned commencement of employment or self-employment for PUA?

The U.S. Department of Labor requires any individual who files an initial application for PUA, or who continues to file for PUA benefits, after December 27, 2020, to provide documentation to substantiate their employment, self-employment, planned commencement of employment or planned commencement of self-employment. For acceptable documentation to substantiate proof of employment or self-employment (or the planned commencement of employment or self-employment), see Proof of Employment Documentation Requirement for PUA Claimants.

Please note that even if you provided this same documentation in response to the original proof of income action item, you must reupload the documentation to your BEACON portal to both satisfy the proof of employment action item and the federal program requirements.

24. Once I file my claim for PUA/PEUC benefits, what happens next?

The Division will review your application. If additional information or documentation is necessary, the Division will request it from you. You will receive notice of the request through your preferred method of contact (e-mail, text message, or postal mail). Your BEACON 2.0 portal will also contain the notice. The easiest way to provide any requested documentation is through BEACON 2.0. Once the Division adjudicates your claim, you will be notified of the decision through your preferred method and your portal.

25. When will I receive benefits?

Maryland does not have a waiting week, unlike many other states, so you are eligible to file the day after you are separated from employment. Due to extraordinarily high claim volume as a result of the impact of COVID-19, the Division of Unemployment Insurance cannot provide a definite timeline on benefit delivery. However, many claimants have received their benefits in less than 21 days. Your patience is greatly appreciated during this pandemic.

26. Which tax year should I provide documentation for to receive MEUC?

If you are a continuing claimant (initially applied for benefits in 2020) within the Regular UI, PEUC or Work Sharing programs, you need to provide documentation from tax year 2019 that proves you earned $5,000 or more in self-employment income to be eligible for MEUC benefits. If you are a claimant filing for UI benefits (Regular UI, PEUC, or Work Sharing) for the first time on or after December 27, 2020 for, you must provide documentation from tax year 2020 to be eligible for the additional $100 MEUC benefit.

27. Can I change my benefit program to get the additional $100 benefit under MEUC?

No, your benefit program is determined by your job classification and type of income. You were asked to provide this information in your BEACON 2.0 claimant portal when you filed your initial application for UI benefits. MEUC is not available to claimants receiving benefits under the PUA program.

28. What documentation is sufficient as proof of self-employment income for MEUC?

If you are applying for MEUC, sufficient proof of self-employment income includes, but is not limited to, pay check stubs, invoices, the prior year’s tax return, bank receipts, business records, ledgers, and billing statements which substantiate $5,000 or more in self-employment income. All claimants who are potentially eligible will be messaged directly with instructions on how to apply for this benefit.

29. I have documentation to show $5,000 in self-employment income, but I am receiving benefits under PUA. Can I get the additional benefit under MEUC?

No. Claimants who are enrolled in the PUA program are not eligible to receive the additional MEUC benefit. MEUC provides an additional $100 weekly payment to eligible claimants who earned both employment wages and at least $5,000 in net self-employment income in the completed taxable year prior to their Regular UI application. Claimants must also be receiving Regular UI, PEUC, or Work Sharing benefits (based on the W-2 income only) to be eligible for MEUC.

30. If I am quarantined due to COVID-19 with the expectation of returning to work after the quarantine is over, am I eligible for benefits?

The first and best option for employees who need to miss work due to illness is to use their employer paid time off. The Maryland Healthy Working Families Act requires employers with 15 or more employees to provide paid sick and safe leave for certain employees. Maryland employers who employ 14 or fewer employees are required to provide unpaid sick and safe leave for certain employees. See this page for more information about the Maryland Healthy Working Families Act .

Unemployment involves a reduction of both work hours and earnings. An individual who is receiving paid sick leave or paid family leave is still receiving pay and is generally not considered to be “unemployed” for purposes of collecting unemployment insurance benefits. If you are currently instructed to quarantine by a medical professional, and your employer has instructed you not to return to work until the quarantine is ended and has not provided the option to telework, DUI recommends that you file a claim for unemployment insurance.

After you file a claim, DUI will determine whether you qualify to receive unemployment insurance benefits. To file a claim for benefits 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, visit BEACON, or by phone at 667-207-6520 during business hours.

31. If I decide to leave my employment due to a reasonable risk of exposure or infection of COVID-19 or to care for a family member due to COVID-19, am I eligible for benefits?

If you are not exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19 and you decide to leave your employment, the DUI recommends that you file a claim for unemployment insurance. You may be determined to be eligible for benefits if the circumstances of your job separation are allowable under the ARPA COVID-19 related reasons or Maryland’s provisions for good cause and/or just circumstances for voluntarily leaving work, as described in Section 8-1001 of Maryland Unemployment Insurance Law.

32. If I need to take time off work because I am sick, but I have not been instructed to quarantine by a medical professional, will I be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits?

If you are not eligible for employer paid time off or your paid time off has been exhausted, DUI recommends that you file a claim for unemployment insurance. You may be determined to be eligible for benefits if you have taken time off of work and expect to return to work for the same employer in the future.

33. If an employer lays off employees due to the loss of production caused by COVID-19, will the employees be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits?

Maryland unemployment benefits are available to individuals who are unemployed through no fault of their own. If an employer lays off employees due to a loss of production as a direct result of COVID-19, individuals may be eligible for unemployment benefits if they meet certain criteria. It is recommended that you file a claim for unemployment insurance. To file a claim for benefits 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, visit BEACON, or file by calling a live claims agent at 667-207-6520. For live agent hours, see the Claimant Contact Information webpage.

34. If my employer reduces my hours as a result of COVID-19, am I eligible for unemployment insurance benefits?

If your employer has reduced your normal work hours as a result of COVID-19, you may be eligible for partial benefits. To file a claim for benefits 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, visit BEACON, or file by phone by calling a claims agent at 1-667-207-6520. For live agent hours, see Claimant Contact Information webpage.

35. Can I still collect unemployment benefits if I am able to work remotely from home?

If you continue to work remotely for the same number of hours you normally work, you are not considered to be unemployed. However, if you are working reduced hours while working remotely, it is recommended that you file a claim for unemployment insurance. To file a claim for benefits 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, visit BEACON, or call a live claims agent at 667-207-6520. For live agent hours, see the Claimant Contact Information webpage.

36. I get tips from customers on top of my regular hourly wage. Will my tips be used to determine how much I will receive in benefits?

Yes. Employers regularly report (quarterly) the wages of their employees to DUI. These wages, including reported tips, are used to help calculate your Weekly Benefit Amount. If a tipped employee files a claim and receives a determination about a Weekly Benefit Amount that the employee disagrees with, the employee can request a review of the determination within 30 days. Along with the request for a review, the claimant can provide evidence of other wages that they have received, including unreported tips.

37. If I earn wages, can I still receive the FPUC $300 payments? How many hours can I work and still receive FPUC?

Your eligibility for benefits in a week is based on your earnings, not the hours that you work. You must report all of the money you earn each week on your weekly claim certification. You will need to report your gross wages. However, if you earn any income from self-employment, consulting, gig work, or working as an independent contractor, you must report your net income. If you earn money in a week that you receive benefits, the amount that you earn will be deducted from your benefit payment. There is a $50 threshold for earnings deductions. Due to recent state legislation enacted due to COVID-19, a $200 threshold for earnings deductions applies from the week of unemployment ending April 17, 2021, to the week ending June 29, 2021. For example, if you are eligible for a $430 Weekly Benefit Amount and you earn $400 in a week, you would be eligible for $230 in benefits that week. You would also receive the additional $300 weekly FPUC amount, so your total benefit payment for that week would be $530.

38. I was separated from my employer two weeks ago due to a COVID-19 related reason and I am applying for unemployment. Can I backdate my claim for benefits to the date that I stopped working?

Yes, claims may be backdated to the first affected week of unemployment. Claims that are filed after December 27, 2020, may be backdated to as early as the week ending December 12, 2020. If you need to backdate a claim by greater than one week, then you will need to call a claims agent for assistance at 667-207-6520.

Federal Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) Program

Note: Pursuant to a directive from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Maryland will no longer pay LWA benefits. Maryland paid LWA benefits through March 27, 2022, for qualifying weeks of unemployment from the week ending August 1, 2020, to the week ending September 5, 2020.

What is the Federal Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) program?
To ease the economic burden for those struggling with lost wages due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was authorized to expend funds from the Disaster Relief Fund for lost wage payments as a result of COVID-19. The Lost Wages Assistance program (LWA) provided a supplement of $300 per week to claimants who:
- were eligible for $100 or more of weekly unemployment benefits under a qualifying program, and
- self-certified that they were unemployed or partially unemployed due to disruptions caused by COVID-19.
LWA was available for weeks of unemployment starting the week ending August 1, 2020, through the week ending September 5, 2020. LWA was paid to eligible claimants on a first-come, first-served basis. FEMA has not authorized Maryland to pay any LWA benefits after March 27, 2022.
What underlying unemployment programs were eligible for LWA?

If you were eligible for a weekly benefit of at least $100 in weeks when the LWA was available from any of the following programs, and you completed the LWA self-certification that you were unemployed or partially unemployed due to disruptions caused by COVID-19, you would have been eligible for LWA:
- Regular Unemployment Insurance benefits;
- Unemployment Compensation for Ex-Servicemembers (UCX);
- Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE);
- Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC);
- Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA);
- Extended Benefits (EB);
- Work Sharing Benefits; and
- Trade Readjustment Allowances (TRA).
Is the $300 LWA weekly payment taxable?

Yes, the $300 LWA payment is taxable. If you requested to have State and/or Federal taxes deducted from your benefits, those taxes were also deducted from the $300 LWA payments. For specific guidance on the tax treatment of unemployment compensation, please contact the I.R.S. (see irs.gov/taxtopics/tc418).

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These FAQs do not reflect current practices or requirements and are retained here for historical purposes.

Month of New Claim:	Your Standard Base Period is the 12-Month Period Ending the Previous:
January, February or March	September 30
April, May or June	December 31
July, August or September	March 31
October, November or December	June 30

Month of New Claim:	Your Alternate Base Period is the 12-Month Period Ending the Previous:
January, February or March	December 31
April, May or June	March 31
July, August or September	June 30
October, November or December	September 30

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