Division of Unemployment Insurance
Memorial Day - Holiday Message
The Maryland Division of Unemployment Insurance (MDUI) offices and call centers will be closed on Monday, May 26, 2025, in observance of the Memorial Day holiday. MDUI will resume normal operations on Tuesday, May 27.
Please note that due to the holiday and bank closures, benefit payments may be delayed. You may continue to file weekly claim certifications while state offices are closed through the BEACON portal, available at https://beacon.labor.md.gov/.
If you have questions, please call MDUI at 667-207-6520 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
New Webinars for Federal Employees and Contractors
The Maryland Division of Unemployment Insurance will hold several informational webinars to help federal employees and federal contractors (employees who worked for a private sector employer that contracted with the federal government) understand the unemployment insurance (UI) process.
Webinars will be held at 2:00 p.m. on the following dates: May 19, June 2, and June 9. Each webinar will take place on a Monday. The information provided in each webinar will be the same, so please only register for one event.
To register for the webinar, select this link and complete the form. You will receive a link to attend the webinar after you register.
File an Unemployment Insurance Claim Online
Are you recently unemployed?
- Learn about Maryland Unemployment Insurance Benefits
- File a claim in the Maryland Unemployment Insurance System (BEACON)
- If you need help, call 667-207-6520. Claims agents are available from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
Complete Your Weekly Certification (starting every Sunday)
Are you currently collecting unemployment insurance benefits?
- Log your required weekly work search activities in Maryland Workforce Exchange
- Complete your weekly certification in the Maryland Unemployment System (BEACON)
If you are unable to complete 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)
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 Resources for Maryland’s Former Federal Employees and Other Workers Impacted by the Federal Government Transition.
Some federal employees impacted by federal agency reductions in force may be receiving severance pay as part of separation. For information on how severance pay will affect your eligibility for unemployment benefits in Maryland, see the page Federal Severance Pay: Important Information on Unemployment Benefits for Federal Employees, so you can make an informed decision on if and when to apply.
Note: Workers should apply for unemployment insurance (UI) benefits in the jurisdiction of their "duty station." This means, for example, that if you reside in Maryland and are 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.
If you are on administrative leave, you are not eligible for UI benefits, since you are still employed. However, if you are placed on administrative leave and then terminated, you may be eligible once you are no longer employed.
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 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.
Maryland Unemployment Insurance System (BEACON)
The Maryland Unemployment Insurance System (BEACON) provides a central online portal for claimants, employers, and third-party agents to complete unemployment insurance tasks.
Features
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.
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.
Quick Links
