Initial MD Unemployment Claims Remain Largely Unchanged

MARYLAND — The number of Maryland workers seeking unemployment benefits was mostly unchanged last week, a sign that the economic rebound from the pandemic may be losing steam.

According to data released Thursday by the Maryland Department of Labor, 11,606 jobless claims were filed for the week ending May 1. That represents a 1 percent increase from the 11,491 claims that were filed the prior week — and pushes the total number of applications since March 2020 to more than 1.82 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 11,606 workers who applied last week, 3,996 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 was Baltimore County, with 526, 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 715.

The most PEUC claims were filed in Baltimore County, with 110. Baltimore City followed close behind with 106 claims.