On Friday, April 24, the Maryland Department of Labor will launch a new, one-stop unemployment insurance application allowing Marylanders to file claims for all unemployment programs entirely online.
This includes the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program which was created under the federal CARES Act. PUA expands benefits to individuals who are not usually eligible for regular unemployment insurance such as sole proprietors, independent contractors, and self-employed workers. Those individuals who cannot work due to COVID-19 are eligible for a maximum of 39 weeks of benefits which includes $600 Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC). Benefits will be paid back to the earliest date of eligibility.
Starting Friday, April 24, those who are self-employed, independent contractors, gig workers, or have insufficient work history will be able to apply online.