First-Time Jobless Claims Fall Slightly In MD, Total Tops 1.86M

MARYLAND — First-time unemployment claims in Maryland fell slightly last week to 15,182, down from 15,358 the previous week, the state's labor department announced Thursday.

The latest figure — which covers the week ending May 22 — pushes the total number of filings since March 2020 to more than 1.86 million.

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, 2020.

Of the 15,182 workers who applied last week, 5,983 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 Baltimore County, with 926, 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 586.

The most PEUC claims were filed in Baltimore County, with 105.