New Unemployment Claims Rise To 1.66M In Maryland

MARYLAND — The number of Maryland workers who applied for first-time unemployment benefits increased to 28,927 last week, according to data released Thursday by the state's labor department.

The latest figure — which covers the week ending Feb. 13 — represents a 28.97 percent increase from the 22,428 jobless claims that were filed the prior week. It also pushes the total number of claims to more than 1.66 million since coronavirus shutdowns began.

While the number of new claims has dropped substantially from its peak in May, it is still high by historical standards.

Prior to the pandemic, weekly filings hovered between 2,000 and 6,500. 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 28,927 workers who applied last week, 8,876 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 1,740, 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 1,937.

The most PEUC claims were filed in Baltimore County, with 330.