New Unemployment Claims In Maryland Ticked Up Slightly Last Week

MARYLAND — New unemployment claims in Maryland rose slightly last week as the COVID-19 pandemic continued to batter the labor market.

The state's labor department reported Thursday that 25,996 workers sought jobless aid in the week ending March 20 — an increase of 1,386 from the previous week. That pushes the total number of filings since March 2020 to more than 1.75 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 25,996 workers who applied last week, 13,570 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 1,415, 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 1,846.

The most PEUC claims were filed in Baltimore County, with 345.