Port of Baltimore Worker Support Program

The Port of Baltimore Worker Support Program provides temporary relief to Port workers who have lost work and income due to the reduction in Port operations following the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse.

The program gives a $430 weekly payment to individuals who regularly worked at the Port before the bridge collapse and need assistance given a loss of job hours and income since then. To be eligible, applicants need to have worked at the Port of Baltimore at least 25 times or have earned at least $5,000 from Port jobs between January 1 and March 26, 2024. As part of the application, workers need to provide documentation that they regularly worked at the Port of Baltimore and verify their employment.

Here is the online application: https://maryland-dol.submittable.com/submit

A temporary office is NOW OPEN at 2501 Broening Highway near the Seagirt terminal to help workers complete applications for the Worker Support Program as well as for Unemployment Insurance. The office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday until further notice.

Who is eligible for the Worker Support Program?

Individuals who regularly worked at the Port of Baltimore and who have lost work and income due to the reduction in Port operations following the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse. Applicants need to have worked at the Port at least 25 times or have earned at least $5,000 from Port jobs between January 1 and March 26, 2024.
Eligible workers include:

Independent contractors
Individual owner-operators
Sole proprietors
Single person Limited Liability Companies (LLC)
Employees of a Port business or trade association
Workers who receive a 1099 tax form from a Port business

How much money can I receive and for how many weeks?

Eligible workers receive a $430 payment by check for each week of reduced pay since the bridge collapse. Workers can apply for retroactive payments from the week of March 26. The program is subject to available funding, changes in the operating status of the Port of Baltimore, or other factors.

Am I eligible if I also apply for and receive Unemployment Insurance?

Yes. Port workers who are eligible for Unemployment Insurance (UI) can also apply to the Worker Support Program as long as an applicant’s UI benefits are less than their previous income from work at the Port.

Do I have to recertify every week similar to Unemployment Insurance?

Every two weeks, you will receive an email from the program asking you to certify your income remains lower than before the bridge collapse.

What identification and documents do I need to apply?

U.S. or state-government-issued photo identification
A real-time photograph taken by smartphone or webcam during the application process
Proof of access to the Port. Acceptable identification includes:
- A Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC card)
- A terminal ID badge
- A Port employer-provided ID badge
Two documents that provide proof of work performed at the Port from the list below:
- 2023 W-2 from Port of Baltimore employer
- 2023 1099 from Port of Baltimore contractor
- Copy of paystub(s) from 2024 from a Port of Baltimore employer
- Canceled check(s) from 2024 from a Port of Baltimore employer/contractor
- Evidence of direct deposits(s) from 2024, from a Port of Baltimore employer/contractor
- Interchange ticket(s) from 2024, for containers moved from the Port of Baltimore

How do I apply?

The online application is at https://maryland-dol.submittable.com/submit.

Can I get help over the phone or in person with the application?

You can call 410-541-1363 (9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday - Friday) or e-mail mdportsupport@submittable.com for assistance.

A temporary office at 2501 Broening Highway near the Seagirt terminal will open starting Monday, April 22, 2024 at noon to help workers with applications for the Worker Support Program as well as for Unemployment Insurance. Starting Tuesday, April 23, the office will be open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.