UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE FILING INSTRUCTIONS
Effective April 1, 2020 claimants are encouraged to file according to a new system, which has been designed to make the process easier for claimants. We are encouraging individuals to please use these new procedures.
To file an initial regular unemployment claim online or through our call centers, please file your claim according to your last name as detailed below:
- If your last name starts with A-F, file your claim on a Monday.
- If your last name starts with G-N, file your claim on a Tuesday.
- If your last name starts with O-Z, file your claim on a Wednesday.
- Filing is open to all by phone on Thursdays and Fridays; online on all Thursdays through Sundays.
- Filing later in a week will not delay your payments or affect the date of your claim.
Claimants are strongly encouraged to utilize the online NetClaims application to file claims. This online application is available 24/7. It is strongly encouraged to file during non-peak hours (8 p.m. – 7 a.m.) for faster processing.
Claim center telephone hours have been further extended and open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. To contact a center, please call 410-949-0022.
Claims may only be filed by phone or online, not by email.
IF A CLAIMANT IS HAVING PROBLEMS FILING
If someone is having difficulty placing a call or accessing the website, he or she can email [email protected]. Employers can email [email protected] or contact 410-767-2412.
RESOURCES
- If someone’s job or business has been impacted by the coronavirus, please readCOVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions.
- To learn more about the work-search requirement exemption, please visitWork Search FAQs.
- To learn about the federal “CARES” Act, please seeFAQs.
- To find additional information about Maryland’s unemployment insurance program, please visit theUnemployment Insurance webpage.
- For information about programs to support Maryland businesses, please visit theCoronavirus (COVID-19) Information for Businesses. This site also includes a FAQ sheet.
WAIT TIMES
Please be aware that the Division of Unemployment Insurance’s website and call centers are currently experiencing an unprecedented volume of users due to COVID-19. This may result in long wait times. We understand claimants are experiencing trouble getting through. We apologize for any inconvenience and thank callers for their patience during these uncertain times.
Please be assured that Maryland does not have a waiting week like many other states do. No matter when or how a claimant files, he or she becomes eligible for benefits starting the day after they separated from employment. If a claimant is eligible, he or she will be paid for all benefits due.
