Fewer MD Workers Sought Jobless Aid Last Week Amid COVID-19 Surge

MARYLAND — After three consecutive weeks of rising unemployment claims, Maryland has seen a drop in the number of workers seeking first-time jobless aid — perhaps a hopeful sign for a local economy pummeled by the coronavirus pandemic.

Data released Thursday by the Maryland Department of Labor shows 12,790 workers applied for jobless relief in the week ending Nov. 28. That represents a 32.38 percent decrease from the 18,916 claims that were filed the prior week. It also pushes the total number of filings since early March, when the pandemic first spread in Maryland, to more than 1.37 million.

Patch editors would like to talk to Maryland employers fighting to keep their businesses afloat or workers who have lost their jobs during the pandemic. And we want to hear success stories, too. Please send an email to maryland@patch.com with your name, town you live in, phone number, email and a couple sentences about your situation. An editor may follow up.

While the number of initial filings has dropped substantially from its peak in May, 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 12,790 workers who applied last week, 1,938 filed for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance — 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 384, 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 1,972.

The most PEUC claims were filed in Baltimore County, with 314.

In late summer, the state began offering an additional 13 weeks of jobless aid to those who have exhausted both their regular unemployment and PEUC benefits.

Last week's filings for extended unemployment benefits (EB) was 315. Most applications came from Baltimore City, with a total of 65.