MD Jobless Claims Fall To Lowest Level Since Late Last Year

MARYLAND — First-time unemployment claims in Maryland dropped to their lowest level since late last year, the state's labor department announced Thursday.

Data released by state officials show 9,514 workers applied for jobless relief in the week ending April 17. That represents a 7.75 percent decrease from the 10,314 claims that were filed the prior week.

The last time Maryland's weekly total was this low was for the week ending Sept. 19, 2020, when 9,185 workers filing for unemployment benefits.

The latest addition pushes the total number of filings since the pandemic began to more than 1.79 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.

Of the 9,514 workers who applied last week, 1,817 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 214, 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 986.

The most PEUC claims were filed in Baltimore County, with 157. Prince George's County followed close behind with 154 claims.

The labor market still has a ways to go before it has fully recovered from COVID-19's impact. But the latest data is certainly a step in the right direction.

Like Maryland, the U.S. market is showing signs of improvement. According to the Department of Labor, claims fell 39,000 from a revised 586,000 the prior week — their lowest level since the pandemic began.