First-Time Unemployment Claims Hit 1.69M In Maryland

MARYLAND — First-time unemployment claims in Maryland dropped slightly last week to 12,124, down from 12,283 the previous week, according to the state's labor department.

The latest figure — which covers the week ending Feb. 27 — pushes the total number of filings since March 2020 to more than 1.69 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 12,124 workers who applied last week, 3,364 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 694, 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 1,758.

The most PEUC claims were filed in Baltimore County, with 316.