First-Time Unemployment Claims Nearly Doubled Last Week In MD

MARYLAND — The number of Marylanders who applied for first-time unemployment benefits nearly doubled last week, illustrating that workers are still getting laid off even as the economy reopens.

Data released Thursday by the Maryland Department of Labor show 24,610 workers applied for jobless relief in the week ending March 13. That represents an 81.19 percent increase from the 13,582 jobless claims that were filed the prior week. It also pushes the total number of claims to more than 1.73 million since coronavirus shutdowns began.

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 24,610 workers who applied last week, 14,911 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 1,542, 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 1,782.

The most PEUC claims were filed in Baltimore County, with 308.