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

March 2006-March 2009

                          Source: U.S. Dept of Labor. Bureau of Labor Statistics

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Maryland Unemployment Insurance: Underfunded and Out of Date Maryland's unemployment benefits are low and the program is inadequately funded.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