MD Jobless Claims Drop, $20M Available To Help Avoid Layoffs

SILVER SPRING, MD — The number of Maryland workers filing for first-time unemployment benefits dropped last week to 19,946, down from 23,203 the previous week, according to the state's labor department.

The latest figure — which covers the week ending Oct. 24 — pushes the total number of claims since early March to more than 1.28 million.

Patch editors would like to talk to Maryland employers fighting to keep their businesses afloat or workers who have lost their jobs during the pandemic. And we want to hear success stories, too. Please send an email to maryland@patch.com with your name, town you live in, phone number, email and a couple sentences about your situation. An editor may follow up.

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 19,946 workers who applied last week, 3,097 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 697, 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 6,475.

The most PEUC claims were filed in Baltimore County, with 1,058.

In late summer, the state began offering an additional 13 weeks of jobless aid to those who have exhausted both their regular unemployment and PEUC benefits.

Last week's filings for extended unemployment benefits (EB) was 483. Most applications came from Baltimore County, with a total of 85.

$20M Available For Cash-Strapped Small Businesses

The Maryland Department of Labor on Wednesday announced that an additional $20 million in funding has been made available for small businesses through the COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Fund.

Businesses hit hard by the pandemic can now apply for up to $50,000 in flexible and customizable funding to maintain their workforce. Applications will be accepted until 30 days after the state of emergency ends or until funding has been exhausted.

The Labor Department says businesses will receive approval or denial within five days of applying for the funding.

"Initially introduced in March, the COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Fund has already helped 445 small businesses with an average of 20 employees stay open and saved nearly 9,000 Maryland jobs," said Gov. Larry Hogan.

The additional $20 million expands total funding to $30 million.

"(The) COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Fund has already provided critical funding to small businesses representing nearly 20 diverse industry sectors, ranging from health care to retail, that are located in all 24 jurisdictions in Maryland," said Labor Secretary Tiffany Robinson. "By expanding the program, Gov. Hogan is giving our team the opportunity to help hundreds of additional businesses stay afloat, forego layoffs of thousands of employees, and remain open for business."

Businesses were awarded an average of $22,738 through the program, according to officials, and used the money to buy teleworking equipment, assist with employee training and education, purchase cleaning supplies and services, and more.

To download the policy, application, and learn more about the eligibility requirements of the COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Fund, visit the labor department's website. Questions can be directed to laborcovid19.layoffaversion2@maryland.gov.