New Unemployment Claims Nearly Tripled Last Week In Maryland

MARYLAND — The number of Maryland workers filing for first-time unemployment benefits nearly tripled last week after dropping to its lowest level since September.

Data released Thursday by the Maryland Department of Labor shows 31,513 workers applied for jobless relief in the week ending Jan. 9. That represents a 186 percent increase from the 11,013 jobless claims that were filed the prior week. It also pushes the total number of filings since early March, when the pandemic first spread in Maryland, to more than 1.48 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 31,513 workers who applied last week, 5,847 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 1,183, 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 3,869.

The most PEUC claims were filed in Baltimore County, with 638.

Last week's spike in claims comes after the $900 billion stimulus package, passed by Congress last month, extended PUA and PEUC benefits through mid-March. Maryland reopened those claims on Jan. 3.