First-Time Jobless Claims Rise For Fourth Straight Week In MD

MARYLAND — New applications for Maryland jobless benefits rose to 44,333 last week, marking the fourth-straight week in which the state has seen an uptick in first-time filings.

The latest figure — which covers the week ending Jan. 23 — represents a 6.5 percent increase from the 41,596 jobless claims that were filed the prior week. It also pushes the total number of filings to more than 1.56 million.

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 44,333 workers who applied last week, 11,314 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 1,993, 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 2,505.

The most PEUC claims were filed in Baltimore County, with 404.

Nationally, the number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits fell but remained at a historically high 847,000, a sign that layoffs keep coming. Last week's claims dropped by 67,000 nationwide, from 914,000 the week before, the U.S. Labor Department said Thursday.

Before the virus hit the United States last March, weekly applications for jobless aid had never topped 700,000.

SEE ALSO: U.S. Jobless Claims Drop; Still A High 847,000 As Pandemic Rages

Maryland has seen an uptick in filings every week this year. That rise could be attributed to the federal government extending its PUA and PEUC programs through mid-March.

Both programs expired on Dec. 26. But they were renewed as part of a $900 billion stimulus package passed by Congress last month.

Maryland reopened claims for those programs on Jan. 3.