How to apply for and collect benefits - Division of Unemployment Insurance
As you start on the path to finding your new job, Maryland Unemployment Insurance provides up to 26 weeks (6.5 months) of temporary financial assistance to qualified individuals who are unemployed through no fault of their own.
To qualify for Unemployment Insurance Benefits you must:
- Be unemployed through no fault of your own
- Be ready to work hours that are normal for your job as soon as possible without restrictions, such as having to find child care or being away on vacation
- Have earned enough money (called “sufficient wages”) during the 15 months before you first applied for unemployment insurance benefits. Sufficient wages means that you worked for at least 6 of the 15 months, and earned at least $1,800, with $1,200 earned in a 3-month period.
If you are unable to work due to a long-term or permanent disability, learn more about disability benefits. These may offer more support than unemployment insurance benefits.
How much might I qualify for?
The Maryland Unemployment Insurance system can’t give you an estimate of how much money you’ll get because there are many factors that go into the calculation, including if you collected severance. You must file a claim for the amount to be determined. Depending on the amount of money you were making, weekly payments range from $50 to $430.
If you are a former Federal Civilian Employee
The information in this section only applies to former Federal Civilian Employees
Federal civilian employees who become unemployed can apply for Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE) using the same BEACON system as all other claimants if:
- Your last official duty station was in Maryland
OR - You are a Maryland resident, and your last official duty station was outside of the United States
OR - You are a Maryland resident, separated from federal employment, and then worked in non-federal employment in Maryland
- Social Security Number
- Address, telephone number, and email address
- Employment information from the last 18 months for all jobs worked, including your:
- Employer’s legal name (this can be found on your W-2 statement), address, and phone number
- First day of work and last day of work
- Reason for separation
Some types of employment require additional information to apply:
- Federal employees: An SF-8 form or an SF-50 showing your separation. If you don’t have access to these at the time you need to file your claim, you can provide your most recent SF-50 that shows your salary or rate (Box 20 C) and your duty station (Box 39).
- Military members: Former military status and DD-214 - Member 4 Document
- Non-U.S. Citizens: Alien Registration Number
- Union members: Union name and Local number
- File online using the Maryland Unemployment Insurance System (BEACON). To learn more about setting up an account and filing your claim, visit the BEACON Overview page.
- If you need help from an agent, you can call 667-207-6520. They are available Monday to Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- If you have a disability and need accessible communication options, find the best way to communicate with us or call 7-1-1 to reach Maryland Relay.
It may take up to 21 days to receive a decision about your claim.
File your claim in the Maryland Unemployment Insurance System (BEACON)
To qualify for unemployment insurance benefits, you must be ready to work hours that are normal for your job as soon as possible without restrictions, and actively seeking a new job.
After you’ve filed your claim online or on the phone, you’ll need to register in the Maryland Workforce Exchange System. This is a separate website from the Maryland Unemployment Insurance System (BEACON).
Once you are registered with the Maryland Workforce Exchange, you must document your work search there to show that you are continuing to look for reemployment.
You must complete this step each week to receive your benefit payment before certifying your weekly claim (Step 5).
- Sign in to the Maryland Workforce Exchange System to search and apply for jobs.
- Record 3 activities showing you looked for work. You can also record activities you completed using other job seeking tools.
Visit our Maryland Work Search Requirements page to see specific requirements.
Note: If your claim isn’t approved yet, each week you still need to complete your job search activities and certification.
Complete your weekly certification starting every Sunday of a new week.
If your claim isn’t approved yet, each week you still need to complete your job search activities and certification.
After you have completed Step 4, you can certify online in the Maryland Unemployment Insurance System (BEACON) or by using our mobile app which you can download from iOS App Store or Google Play Store. You cannot use the mobile app to file your first claim.
If you are unable to do your certification online, you can use the automated call line 24/7:
- 410-949-0022 (if calling from the Baltimore area or out of state)
- 800-827-4839 (if calling from Maryland but outside of the Baltimore area)
Make sure to write down the confirmation number at the end of the call.
If you do not agree with the decision about your claim, you have the right to an appeal. Claims can be denied for many reasons, but some common ones are:
- Your former employer claims that you shouldn’t qualify because you were fired for misconduct or voluntarily left your job
- You haven’t earned enough money in the last 15 months to qualify
- You aren’t available to work or refused a suitable job
File a claim online