New Unemployment Claims In MD Fall To Lowest Level Since March

ROCKVILLE, MD — New applications for Maryland jobless benefits fell last week to its lowest level since mid-March, the state's labor department reported Thursday.

Initial unemployment claims dropped by 9,539 to 23,839 for the week ending July 25. The latest figure represents a 28.5 percent decrease from the 33,378 jobless claims that were filed the prior week. It also pushes the total number of filings to nearly 1.07 million since early March.

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 23,839 workers who applied last week, 10,725 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 2,435, 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 1,156.

The most PEUC claims were filed in Baltimore County. The total stands at 197.

Here's the breakdown: