Unemployment Insurance

Working to insure the unemployed

Maryland’s unemployment benefits are low and the program is severely under-funded. We advocate for solutions that ensure the solvency of the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund.

Unemployment Insurance Modernization and Tax Relief Act Has Passed in MD

By passing the UI Modernization and Tax Relief Act (SB 107/HB 91) laid off worker's most recent earnings are taken into account when determining unemployment insurance eligibility and benefits.  Maryland is now eligible for $127 million in federal incentive funds through the Unemployment Insurance Modernization Act, passed in 2009 as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. 4/9/10

To review further details of the bill review:

Job Opportunity Task Force's (JOTF) Fact Sheet

JOTF's Press Release

Governor O'Malley's Press Release

Progress on Unemployment Insurance in the 2009 General Assembly Session.  Legislation passed the General Assembly to extend unemployment uinsurance to part-time workers and increase unemployment insurance benefits so that workers do not fall into poverty while seeking employment. See JOTF's Legislative Wrap-up. 4/14/09

Reexamining Unemployment Insurance in MD: What Has Happened Over the Past 5 Years?  In 2007, the maximum weekly benefit was increased from $340 to $380. Yet, at least 24 states are ahead of Maryland, extending UI benefits to part-time workers, including nearby states, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, and Washington, D.C.  9/4/08

Maryland Unemployment Insurance: Underfunded and Out of Date Maryland's unemployment benefits are low and the program is inadequately funded. These problems can be fixed without worsening the state's overall budget deficit. 2/21/03

Fixing Maryland's Unemployment Safety Net Maryland's unemployment benefits could be improved by extending benefits to part time workers and recent work force entrants, and by increasing the per-child benefit from $8 to $25 per week. 2/24/03

Reforming Maryland's Unemployment Insurance Taxes. Maryland employers are facing an increase in unemployment insurance taxes starting January 1, 2004. This increase is due to chronic underfunding of a program whose benefits are far from generous. 8/26/03