Over 41.5K MD Workers Applied For Unemployment Week Of Jan. 16

MARYLAND — First-time unemployment claims in Maryland rose last week to 41,596, up from 31,513 the previous week, according to the state's labor department.

The latest figure — which covers the week ending Jan. 16 — pushes the total number of filings since early March to more than 1.52 million.

While the number of initial filings has dropped substantially from its peak in May, 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 41,596 workers who applied last week, 9,897 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 1,908, 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 2,781.

The most PEUC claims were filed in Baltimore County, with 445.

Here's a closer look: