First-Time Unemployment Claims Across Maryland Plummet Again

MARYLAND — For the second straight week, first-time unemployment claims in Maryland dropped, falling by nearly 3,000 claims from 12,280 over the past week, according to the state's labor department.

The latest figure of 9,612 first-time claims — which covers the week ending April 3 — pushes the total number of filings since March 2020 to more than 1.77 million.

While the number of initial filings has dropped substantially from its peak in May 2020, it is still high by historical standards. This week's drop was not as significant as the one seen for the week ending March 20 when more than 25,000 first-time claims were filed across the state.

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 9,612 workers who applied last week, 1,799 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.

Last week, the jurisdiction with the most PUA claims last week was Prince George's County, with 307, 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 1,038.

The most PEUC claims were filed last week was in Baltimore County, with 243.