MD Unemployment Claims Drop For Fifth Week In A Row

MARYLAND — The number of first-time unemployment claims in Maryland fell again last week, a sign that layoffs may be easing.

Data released Thursday by the Maryland Department of Labor show 13,117 workers applied for jobless relief in the week ending Aug. 8. That represents a 28.1 percent decrease from the 18,268 jobless claims that were filed the prior week. It also marks the fifth consecutive week in which the number of first-time unemployment filings was fewer than the week before.

Initial claims are now at its lowest level since mid-March, according to the state's labor department.

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.

As of Thursday, more than 1.09 million people have applied for jobless aid since early March.

Here's a closer look at the claims filed during the pandemic:

Of the 13,117 workers who applied last week, 3,941 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, with 780, 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 669.

The most PEUC claims were filed in Baltimore County. The total stands at 116.