Division of Unemployment Insurance
File Weekly Claim Certifications
Do you need to complete your weekly claim certification? Click here (BEACON), download MD Unemployment for Claimants mobile app, or call 410-949-0022 or 800-827-4839.
Unemployment insurance for former federal employees
Federal civilian employees who become unemployed due to no fault of their own can apply for Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE). For information on eligibility, how to apply, and more, see the page Maryland Unemployment Insurance Information for Federal Employees: FAQs.
- Note: Workers should apply for unemployment insurance (UI) benefits in the jurisdiction of their "duty station." This means, for example, that if you are a Marylander who is laid off from a job based in Virginia, you should apply for benefits in Virginia. Here are direct links to apply for UI benefits in Maryland, Washington, DC, and Virginia.
For more, see Steps to Prepare for Reduction in Force and Important UI Tips for Federal Civilian Employees.
Unemployment insurance for other workers impacted by federal actions
Other workers impacted by federal actions—such as employees who worked for a private sector employer that contracted with the federal government and are now unemployed due to no fault of their own—may be eligible to apply for regular unemployment insurance. See the Regular Unemployment Insurance (UI) Overview flyer for information on how to apply for the regular Maryland UI program.
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
- You may apply for UI benefits (called filing an initial claim) in BEACON or by calling 667-207-6520, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For more, see How to Apply for UI Benefits in BEACON
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 below for our primary contact methods.
Important Contact Information and Links
BEACON System
The BEACON unemployment insurance (UI) system 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 (download from iOS App Store or Google Play Store);
- MD Unemployment for Employers (download from iOS App Store or Google Play Store).
You can complete some, but not all, UI tasks in the mobile apps.
Features
For more, see the BEACON System Overview web page.
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.
- 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 MWE Job Contact and Reemployment Activity Log (see the video tutorial), to keep this record.
For more, see the Maryland Work Search Requirements webpage.
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
