11,491 ​New MD Unemployment Claims Tallied Mark 20.7% Increase

MARYLAND — Another 11,491 Marylanders sought jobless benefits for the first time last week, the state's labor department reported Thursday.

The latest figure, which covers the week ending April 24, represents a 20.7 percent increase from the 9,514 claims that were filed the prior week. It also pushes the total number of filings since March 2020 to more than 1.81 million during the coronavirus pandemic.

While the number of initial filings has dropped substantially from its peak in May 2020, it is still high by historical standards.

Prior to the pandemic, jobless claims in Maryland hovered between 2,000 and 6,500 per week. During the public health crisis, however, these numbers have fluctuated between 2,090 and 109,263. The all-time pandemic high was for the week ending May 2.

Of the 11,491 workers who applied last week, 3,831 filed for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) — a federal program for gig workers, contractors, and other self-employed people who otherwise are ineligible for regular jobless benefits.

The jurisdiction with the most PUA claims last week was Prince George's County, with 454, according to state data.

Claims filed for Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) — a federal program that provides an additional 13 weeks of pay to workers who've exhausted their other benefits — was 887.

The most PEUC claims were filed in Baltimore County, with 154.