New Unemployment Claims In MD Hit New Low, Data Shows

MARYLAND — New applications for Maryland jobless benefits edged down to 18,268, the fourth 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.

The latest figure — which covers the week ending Aug. 1 — represents a 23.3 percent decrease from the 23,839 jobless claims that were filed the prior week. It also pushes the total number of filings to more than 1.08 million.

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.

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

Of the 18,268 workers who applied last week, 6,741 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 1,438, 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 799.

The most PEUC claims were filed in Baltimore County. The total stands at 157.

On Friday, the Maryland Department of Labor announced that it had begun offering an additional 13 weeks of unemployment insurance benefits through the Federal-State Extended Benefits program. Claimants must exhaust both their regular and PEUC benefits before applying on the state's BEACON One-Stop portal.