MD Sees Slight Uptick In First-Time Unemployment Claims

MARYLAND — The number of Maryland workers who applied for first-time unemployment benefits increased slightly, to 47,801 last week, according to data released Thursday by the state's labor department.

The latest figure — which covers the week ending June 20 — represents a 13.9 percent increase from the 41,941 jobless claims that were filed the prior week. It also pushes the total number of claims to more than 848,500 since coronavirus shutdowns began.

Prior to the pandemic, first-time unemployment filings 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.

Of the 47,801 workers who applied last week, 14,538 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 was Prince George's County, according to state data. The total: 2,132.

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 1,319.

The most PEUC claims were filed in Baltimore City. The total stands at 231.

Here's how many people in each county filed unemployment claims last week:

Here's how many people filed statewide over a 14-week period: