Division of Unemployment Insurance
Information for New Claimants
If you are a claimant (an individual who files a claim for unemployment insurance benefits) who is new to the unemployment insurance process, visit the Information for New Claimants webpage
Information for New Employers
If you are an employer who is new to the unemployment insurance (UI) process, visit the Information for New Employers webpage.
Information for New Third-Party Agents
If you are a third-party agent who is new to the unemployment insurance (UI) process, visit the Information for New Third-Party Agents webpage.
Contact Information
The Maryland Division of Unemployment Insurance (the Division) offers several ways claimants, employers, and third-party agents can contact us. See the list below for our primary contact methods.
Please be assured that Maryland does not have a waiting week for UI claims, like many other states do. Claims are effective the week in which they are filed.
Important Contact Information and Links
Online BEACON UI System
You can complete several unemployment insurance tasks, including filing an initial claim, in our online BEACON system, which is available online 24/7.
To learn more, see the BEACON Claimant FAQs and the Unemployment Modernization (BEACON) for Employers and Third-Party Agents webpage.
Claimant Phone Number and Hours of Operation
- To contact a claim agent to file a new claim or inquire about an existing claim, please call 667-207-6520. Claim agents are available from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Hours may be modified during holidays.
- If you call during business hours, you may provide a callback number. When an agent becomes available, the system will call the number and connect you with an agent.
Employer and Third-Party Agent Phone Number and Hours of Operation
- The Employer Call Center can be reached at 410-949-0033. Call center hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Hours may be modified during holidays.
- If you need help activating your employer or agent account in BEACON, please contact the Account Activation Hotline at 410-767-8997.
Automated IVR Phone System
- To connect with the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system available 24/7, call 410-949-0022 or 1-800-827-4839, toll free. Please listen carefully as many prompts have changed.
- Using the IVR system, claimants can file weekly claim certifications by phone. Claimants can also reset their PIN number, check their payment status, receive filing instructions, and more without having to connect with a claims agent.
Virtual Assistant and Live Chat
You can use the Virtual Assistant to receive immediate, automated answers to common inquiries or to chat with a claims agent. The Virtual Assistant is available 24/7. However, the chat feature is available during claims agent hours (see the Claimant Contact Information webpage for agent hours).
To use the Virtual Assistant, select the “Chat with us” button at the bottom right corner of this page. To use the chat feature, access the Virtual Assistant and type "speak with an agent.”
VRI, VRS, and Maryland Relay
Individuals with certain disabilities (Deafness, Deafblindness, hearing loss, difficulty speaking, limited mobility, or cognitive difficulty) may communicate with the Maryland Department of Labor, Division of Unemployment Insurance (the Division) via scheduled VRI services, Video Relay Services (VRS), Maryland Relay, and other forms of effective communication.
Maryland Relay allows individuals with certain disabilities (listed above) to communicate using a standard telephone. For Maryland Relay, dial 711. Please provide the Maryland Relay operator with the following phone number to reach the Division: 1-667-401-4647.
See the Special Accommodation Information and Resources webpage or the Maryland Relay FAQs to learn more.
Ombudsman Inquiry Form
To submit an inquiry and reach the UI Ombudsman, please fill out the Ombudsman Inquiry Form and e-mail it to ui.ombudsman@maryland.gov
Virtual Kiosk Services by Appointment
The Maryland Division of Unemployment Insurance is offering limited virtual kiosk appointments to take claimant questions about their unemployment insurance claims. Please call a claims agent at 667-207-6520 (Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) to schedule an appointment.
Please ensure that at the time of your appointment, you are in a location where you will not be interrupted and that you have access to your BEACON portal.
Child Support Withholdings from UI Benefits E-mail
For inquiries about child support withholdings from your UI benefits or adjustments to these withholdings, e-mail ui.childsupportassistance@maryland.gov.
NOTE: This e-mail address should only be used to inquire about child support withholdings from your UI benefits, and any necessary adjustments.
For questions about child support obligations that are not related to your UI benefits, call the Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS) Child Support Administration at 1-800-332-6347.
Power of Attorney Form and Process
Employers are now required to include the following on the Power of Attorney (POA) form:
- Third Party-Administrator/Agent (TPA) Unemployment Insurance ID number.
- Communication preference for each power that is being granted to the TPA.
Please note that approving a POA designation for a TPA takes up to seven business days. No access will be granted to the TPA before the approval. Once approval is granted, the TPA will receive access to perform the requested functions.
To access the form, see the Power of Attorney Authorization Instructions and Form on the Flyers, Forms, and Publications for Employers & Third Party Agents webpage.
BEACON System
Overview
The BEACON unemployment insurance (UI) system integrates all benefits, appeals, and tax functions. BEACON provides a central portal for claimants, employers, and third-party agents to perform a number of important UI tasks.
Download the Claimant and Employer Mobile Apps
In addition to the online BEACON system, the Maryland Division of Unemployment Insurance created two BEACON mobile apps: MD Unemployment for Claimants; and MD Unemployment for Employers.
BEACON Mobile App for Claimants
MD Unemployment for Claimants is available to download for free from the iOS App Store or Google Play Store. The mobile app allows claimants to easily file their weekly claim certifications, view and update claimant information, and more directly from their mobile device.
BEACON Mobile App for Employers
MD Unemployment for Employers is available to download for free from the iOS App Store and the Google Play Store. Registered employers can use the mobile app to make contribution payments, submit wage reports, file appeals, and more directly from their mobile device.
NOTE: The Maryland Division of Unemployment Insurance suggests that you set up automatic updates for the BEACON mobile apps, so that you do not need to take any action if the app is updated. The Division released an updated version of MD Unemployment for Claimants in 2023. Individuals who downloaded the app before 2023 and did not have automatic updates set up may be prompted to begin the update. When prompted, one of the following error messages will be displayed:
- App Not Supported Error - This error message includes a Get Update button, which a claimant should select to begin the update.
- SSL Not Matching Error - Claimants who see this message should go to the Google Play Store or iOS App Store to update the app.
Features
The BEACON system offers dozens of features for our stakeholders. Check out the functionalities and features below:
Features for Claimants
Claimants can:
- Access their unemployment insurance claim 24 hours per day/7 days per week
- File initial claims for all program types:
- Regular UI
- Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE)
- Unemployment Compensation for Ex-Servicemembers (UCX)
- Combined Wage Claim (CWC) - Maryland and Out-of-State Claim
- Extended Benefits (EB)
- Work Sharing
- File weekly claim certifications
- Update account details
- name
- address
- Update requests for tax withholding
- Review benefit payment history
- Receive immediate updates regarding their claim status, including up-to-date information about their eligibility
- Retrieve correspondence and other claimant information
- Review benefit payment history
- Respond to fact-finding requests (as required) for additional information
- Submit supporting documents for adjudication or appeals
- File appeals
- Track and pay overpayments
- Maintain their portal account
Features for Employers
Employers can:
- Submit required reports and information
- Update their account information such as address, contact, and ownership
- Access their tax rate and other UI-related information
- Submit wage reports and pay contributions
- Submit adjustments to previously filed wage reports
- Respond to Requests for Separation Information
- File an appeal
- Submit supporting documents for appeals or adjudication
- View all correspondence generated by the system
- Set up an agent to manage their account
Features for Third Party Agents
Agents can:
- Submit a power of attorney online and access their customer’s account based on their privileges granted by the power of attorney
- File wage reports on behalf of their clients
- Make contribution payments on behalf of their clients
- File appeals on behalf of their clients
- Obtain rate information for their clients
BEACON Resources
- BEACON Claimant Tutorial Videos
- BEACON Claimant FAQs
- BEACON Claimant Portal User Guide
- BEACON Employers and Third Party Agents Tutorial Videos
- BEACON Employer FAQs
- Employer and Third Party Agent Instructions for Submitting Files in BEACON
Need Help?
Claimants who have questions regarding BEACON should call a claims agent at 667-207-6520. Employers or third party agents who have questions should call the Employer Call Center at 410-949-0033.
Work Search Requirements
Claimants must meet several requirements to be eligible for UI benefits, including work search requirements.
To meet Maryland’s work search requirements, a claimant must:
- register in the Maryland Workforce Exchange (MWE) system;
- upload or create a résumé in MWE, make the résumé viewable to employers, and maintain an up-to-date résumé while collecting UI benefits;
- After you complete your MWE registration, check your MWE inbox frequently for information about weekly tasks or actions that you are required to complete. Failure to complete these activities may result in a delay or denial of your UI benefits
- complete at least three valid reemployment activities each week, which must include at least one job contact; and,
- keep a detailed weekly record of all completed job contacts and valid reemployment activities. Claimants are strongly urged to use the Job Contact and Reemployment Activity Log, located in MWE, to keep this record.
Detailed instructions for completing the requirements listed above are available on the Maryland Work Search Requirements webpage. For work search exemptions, see the Work Search FAQs.
NOTE: The work search requirement was temporarily suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic. In July 2021, the work search requirements were reinstated.
For additional information, see the:
- Work Search FAQs;
- Maryland's Valid Reemployment Activities list; and,
- Job Contact and Reemployment Activity Log video tutorial .
Information about additional claimant requirements is available in the Eligibility Requirements FAQs.
Fraudulent Unemployment Insurance Activity
Instructions for reporting unemployment insurance (UI) fraud or an incorrect 1099-G tax form are available on the UI Fraud Awareness and Reporting Instructions webpage.
Additional State Resources
For information about mortgage relief programs, health insurance assistance, food purchasing support, and more, see the Assistance from the Maryland Department of Human Services and Other State Resources webpage.
NOTE: To reach DHS Child Support Administration, call 1-800-332-6347. For more, see the Child Support Administration webpage.
A list of additional resources and assistance programs, is available in the State of Maryland Financial Resources & Services document.
Quick Links
