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Do I Qualify for Unemployment Insurance Benefits?

Qualifying for Unemployment Insurance Benefits in Maryland

This page provides general information on qualifying for unemployment insurance benefits, but every situation is different. If you do not know if you qualify, we encourage you to submit an application so that our claims team can make a decision based on your situation.

To qualify for Unemployment Insurance Benefits:

  1. You must be unemployed through no fault of your own

    Common “no fault” situations:

    • Laid off due to lack of work
    • Hours significantly reduced by your employer
    • Job ended because of a temporary position ending
    • Fired for reasons other than misconduct
    • Quit with valid, work-related good cause

    Common reasons that you may not qualify:

    • Quitting without good cause
    • Being fired for misconduct
    • Not being able or available to work
    • Not applying for or refusing suitable work
    • Not actively searching for work

    If you quit your job voluntarily or disagree with the reason your employer gives for letting you go, it will help you to have proof of the situation (like copies of emails and pay stubs).

  2. You must be actively looking for new work and ready to work hours that are normal for your job as soon as possible and without restrictions, such as having to find child care or being away on vacation.

    Learn more about job search requirements.

  3. You must have earned enough money (called “sufficient wages”) during the “base period,” which can extend as far back as 18 months before the time you file your first claim.

    The “base period” is based on when you file a claim for benefits. Sufficient wages mean that you were paid at least $1,176.01 during 1 quarter (3 months) of the base period and a minimum of $1,800 over at least 2 quarters (6 months).

  4. You must have worked in Maryland. You must apply for unemployment insurance benefits in the State or District where you worked, and not based on where you live.

    • If all of your work in the last 18 months was in a state other than Maryland, file your claim with that state/district.
    • If you work remotely in Maryland and your out-of-state employer doesn’t require you to go into the office at all or more than occasionally, file for unemployment insurance in Maryland.
    • If you worked in more than one State or District in the last 18 months, you may be able to file a combined wage claim to prove that you’ve earned “sufficient wages.” 
    • Federal Employees: File for unemployment where your “duty station” was. Your duty station is listed on your SF-50 in Box 39. If you don’t have a copy of your SF-50, you can request it from your former HR office.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Maryland Division of Unemployment Insurance can’t give you an estimate of how much money you may receive because there are many factors that go into the calculation, such as collecting severance. You must file a claim for the amount to be determined. Depending on the amount of money you were making during the “base period” (the 18 months before you filed) weekly payments range from $50 to $430.

We aim to have a decision about your case 21 days after you file your claim. If your former employer challenges your claim, it may take longer.

If you are still receiving income (like being paid severance, vacation, sick time, or pension), your benefits may be canceled out or reduced by those payments until those payments stop.

For example, if you qualify for $300 a week of unemployment insurance benefits, and are getting $200 a week from severance, you will receive the $100 difference.

If you are unable to work due to a long-term or permanent disability, learn more about disability benefits. These may offer more support than unemployment insurance benefits.

Yes. The Division of Unemployment Insurance will contact your former employer(s) to ask the reason for your separation. If you disagree with that reason and it affects your eligibility for benefits, you may file an appeal.
If you have specific questions about your situation, contact us.

If you worked part-time, are now unemployed, and your availability for work is restricted to part-time work, you may qualify if:

  • You worked at least 20 hours per week for at least 6 months of the “base period” (the 18 months before you filed).
  • You look for a job that offers the same number of work hours as your previous position or, if you worked less than 20 hours each week at your last job, you look for positions that offer at least 20 hours of work each week.
  • You are seeking part-time work in a labor market where there is a reasonable demand for part-time workers.

You likely won’t qualify for unemployment insurance benefits if you are on leave because you are still connected to your employer and expected to return to work. Because each of these situations are different, you can file a claim to receive a decision.

Learn about audits and overpayments. If you are found to have committed fraud, you cannot apply for unemployment benefits for 1 year and must repay the overpayment before being able to collect again.

Still have questions? Contact Us.

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Maryland Department of Labor

100 S. Charles Street, Tower I, Baltimore, MD 21201

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