Maryland (MD) Unemployment Benefits Repayment Waivers and Retroactive Benefits – Latest News and Updates

The Maryland Division of Unemployment Insurance (DUI), which is under the MD Dept. of Labor and manages the state unemployment programs.

This includes processing unemployment compensation claims and paying out benefits, including the now defunct federally funded enhanced pandemic benefit programs.

Currently only state unemployment benefits are available. The maximum weekly benefit amount (WBA) is $430 and the minimum is $50. Your benefit amount is based on the amount that you were paid by all employers in the last 18 months.

There is an included allowance of $8 per qualified dependent, but the maximum WBA will not increase.

You can receive benefits for up to 26 weeks within the benefit year. You must qualify and certify for all weeks to keep getting payments.

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Pandemic Unemployment Benefit Overpayment Waivers

The Maryland DOL has now instituted pandemic unemployment waiver programs to help claimants who inadvertently were overpaid benefits under the federal pandemic unemployment insurance benefits (PUA, PEUC, FPUC, and/or MEUC benefits).

If you get a notice from the DOL, you will have up to 30 days to request a waiver assessment and provided necessary details and attachments to justify the request. The form has to be mailed into the provided address.

The MD DOL will check that overpayment was not fraudulent and could cause financial hardship for the claimant if required to be repaid. They will make a determination and send an updated notice to the claimant that waives all or part of the overpayment.

Maryland To End ALL Pandemic Unemployment Benefits Early

Update on payment end date: Note that Maryland will continue paying ALL federally funded unemployment benefits for the next 2 weeks to over 300,000 unemployed residents after the state lost several court battles to end the programs on July 3rd.

Unemployed residents filed class action lawsuits against Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican, and won a short-term reprieve to keep benefits going till mid-July.

Following recent job reports and state wide labor shortages, Republican Gov. Larry Hogan announced that his state will end its participation in ALL federally funded pandemic unemployment programs effective the week ending July 3rd, 2021. 

This covers the termination of PUA, PEUC, $300 FPUC and $100 MEUC programs extended under the Biden ARPA stimulus bill discussed below.

This follows similar actions by other states in ending federally funded pandemic unemployment programs in order to incentivize workers to return to work.

The argument is that these generous benefits deter lower income workers (who make less than $15 p/hour) from returning to work. Opponents argue that the reason people are not going back to work is due to fears around getting COVID, child care and schooling constraints.

10,200 Unemployment Tax Break Now Being Received

Many current and previously unemployed workers have reported receipt of additional refund checks against the $10,200 unemployment tax break enacted under the Biden ARPA stimulus bill. The IRS started issuing these in late May and will keep processing catch-up stimulus/refund checks until the end of the year.

You do not need to file an amended return to get this and if you filed a 2020 return, you should get this automatically in most cases.


Biden Stimulus Bill Extensions

Under President Biden’s $1.9 trillion federal coronavirus relief package, known as the American Rescue Plan (ARP), enhanced unemployment benefits have been extended until September 6th.

This includes further extensions PUA programPEUC program, $300 weekly FPUC program and $100 Mixed Earners (MEUC) program. There were also provisions in the Biden Stimulus package for Unemployment tax breaks on the first $10,200 of benefits received in 2020.

Latest News and Status on PUA, PEUC and $300 FPUC Payment Schedule – No Gap in Payments

The Federal Department of Labor (DOL) has now issued formal guidelines to implement the latest round of extensions until September 6th. The MD DUI has now implemented all four extended federal unemployment insurance programs in record time and as a result, there will be no gap in benefit eligibility or delay in payment for claimants who received benefits the week ending Saturday, March 13, 2021.

All claimants should have received an e-mail specifying whether they should file their weekly claim certification or reopen their claim for the week ending Saturday, March 20, 2021 in their BEACON 2.0 portal.

$300 FPUC Benefit Payment

All claimants who are eligible to receive benefits will automatically receive the new FPUC amount of $300 on top of their regular benefit amount beginning from Sunday, March 14, 2021, through the week ending Saturday, September 4, 2021, as long as they remain eligible for benefits and file their weekly claim certification.

Arkansas Unemployment Extension Summary under PUA, PEUC and $300 FPUC
MD Unemployment Extension Summary under PUA, PEUC and $300 FPUC

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2021 Unemployment Program Extensions Under COVID Relief Bill

The $900 billion COVID-19 relief package was passed into law on Dec. 27, 2020, which among several other pandemic relief measures extends and provides additional federal funding for enhanced unemployment benefits. This includes the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) and a reinstatement, but halving of the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) Program which provides a $300 supplemental weekly unemployment payment.

These programs have been funded and extended for 11 weeks (on top of any state funded extensions), covering the weeks of December 27th, 2020 to April 5th, 2021 (no new claims after March 14th, 2021). To receive FPUC benefits, you must be receiving regular UI, PEUC, EB, or PUA.

Update on PUA, PEUC and $300 FPUC 11-week extensions in 2021

[Update Feb 1st, 2021] The MD/DOL has begun taking claims and issuing payments for the three extended enhanced unemployment programs. All claimants eligible to claim the extended weeks should have received a detailed e-mail outlining the next steps they should take. If not it means they are still pending system updates by the MD DOL and/or have an issue for which they should contact them.

For PUA, PEUC or former EB claimants:

  • If you have an Action Item to file a weekly claim certification, complete it to get the extra weeks and the $300 FPUC payment
  • If you have a Reopen Claim link in the left hand margin, select it to reopen your claim. Once you have completed the additional questions, you will be able to file a claim certification, if eligible.
  • There is a certain population of claimants who will need to reapply for regular unemployment insurance benefits per federal requirements because W-2 wages have been detected in their base period due to the quarter change. If you have an Apply for Benefits link in the left hand margin of your portal, please select it to apply for benefits. This population of claimants will receive communication clarifying this process through e-mail or their BEACON portal.

If you are a regular unemployment insurance claimant, continue to file your weekly claim certifications like normal.

All claimants who are eligible to receive benefits will automatically receive the new FPUC amount of $300 on top of their regular benefit amount beginning the week ending January 2, 2021 through the week ending March 13, 2021 as long as they remain eligible for benefits and file their weekly claim certification.

“Just one week after the federal COVID-19 relief package was signed into law, Maryland is one of the first states in the nation to have already programmed and implemented all three of the extended unemployment insurance programs,” said Governor Hogan. “Our team has been working around the clock to bring this much-needed financial relief to unemployed Marylanders as we continue to navigate this public health and economic crisis.”

UI claimants with existing or expired claim balances should also be aware of the following:

  • PUA and PEUC, FPUC will be automatically added to the claimants’ benefits if they are eligible for the weeks outlined in the new legislation.
  • Claimants with weeks remaining in UI should continue to file weekly claims if their state UI systems have been updated for the extended coverage period.
  • Claimants will receive retroactive payments for all weeks they are eligible.
  • Claimants currently receiving benefits through the Extended Benefits program must finish all weeks of EB before receiving additional weeks of PEUC.

I will continue posting additional details as they are released in coming days. So stay tuned.


When will I receive the additional $300 in Lost Wages Assistance?

The DUI has completed the $300 per week LWA payout (started on September 11). These payments are retroactive to August 1 and will cover up to the maximum 6 weeks of approved funding. FEMA has stated that no additional funding will be available. To qualify for the $300 in federal benefits retroactive to the weeks ending August 1, 2020 through September 5, 2020, the federal program requires that claimants be eligible for a weekly benefit amount of at least $100.

Claimants will not need to file a separate application and will be notified of their eligibility for the LWA program in their BEACON portal and by e-mail. Upon logging into their BEACON portal, eligible claimants will be prompted to self-certify that they are unemployed or partially unemployed due to disruptions caused by COVID-19. Claimants may also use the mobile app to complete the self-certification.

After certifying that they have been unemployed or partially unemployed due to disruptions due to COVID-19, claimants will receive a lump sum payment retroactive to their earliest date of eligibility within the LWA program within 1-2 days. This payment may be on a different day than a claimant regularly receives benefits.


COVID 19 (CARES) Enhanced Benefits in Maryland

Under the CARES act, there are three types of federal unemployment assistance available:

• Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA): expands eligibility for traditionally ineligible individuals for unemployment benefits, including independent contractors, gig workers, and self-employed individuals.  Recipients may receive up to 39 weeks of benefit payments under this program.

• Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC): adds $600 per week and the regular benefits recipients of Unemployment Insurance are entitled to receive; the benefit is retroactive to the week beginning March 29, 2020, and the program expired the week of July 25, 2020.

• Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC): provides an additional 13 weeks of Unemployment benefits to regular unemployment insurance recipients.

If you have exhausted benefits paid through the regular unemployment and PEUC program, you may be entitled to receive unemployment benefits through the Extended Benefit (EB) program. If you are eligible for this program, the weekly benefit is equal to the amount received under the regular unemployment or PEUC program. The EB program covers an additional 13 weeks of unemployment benefits.

In addition to the above, you may be eligible for Lost Wage Assistance (LWA).  If you are unemployed and have a weekly benefit payment of at least $100 and eligible for unemployment benefits, you may receive an additional $300 in assistance retroactive through August 1, 2020.  You do not need to file a separate request; however, you will need to self-certify to confirm that you are unemployed or partially unemployed because of COVID-19.

This benefit is provided through FEMA and is scheduled to run for three weeks. The program may be extended if funding is available. 

Web and/or phone issues with accessing the Maryland Unemployment system

The State of Maryland launched the updated BEACON 2.0 unemployment insurance system on September 20, 2020, for claimants and September 21, 2020, for employers.  Claimants can do the same functions under the BEACON 2.0 system as they could under the original BEACON system, which provided one location for people to file unemployment claims with one application, submit weekly certifications, and manage their account. Under the BEACON 2.0 system, claimants receive immediate updates about their claim status, submit requested documents electronically, and respond to fact-finding requests.

The DUI experienced an unprecedented volume of unemployment insurance claims since mid-March. The DUI had limited staff and aging technology infrastructure. This resulted in significant phone delays and extensive time spent processing claims.

In April and September 2020, the DUI significantly updated its technology to streamline its application process and provide claimants with current information about their claims’ status.  This has helped reduce the number of applications processed and incoming phone calls to check on claims’ status.

Initial Claims: If this is the first time you are filing an unemployment claim under any of the federal or state programs available, you must first file an initial unemployment insurance claim to determine your eligibility and which programs may apply.  All federal and state unemployment programs are covered under this initial claim application.

Initial claims are filed through the DUI’s BEACON System here.

Within three days of filing your initial claim, you will receive a Determination of Monetary Eligibility.  This form shows you the employer(s) included in your base period, how much you earned from them, and what your weekly benefit amount (WBA) is. This form also lets you know if you are ineligible for benefits.

If you believe the determination letter contains an error, contact a claims agent by calling (877) 293-4125.

Existing Claimants:  Claimants receiving unemployment benefits due to the coronavirus pandemic must continue to certify every week to receive unemployment benefits under any state or federal program. This includes the additional FPUC $600/week benefit and the PUA program.

The extra $600/week compensation is retroactive to the week of April 4, 2020, through July 25, 2020. FPUC payments are automatically added to the weekly benefit payment.

Before April 24, 2020, claimants that exhausted their regular unemployment benefits will be notified by the DUI that they must reapply to receive PEUC benefits here. Claimants who were receiving unemployment benefits at this time will automatically receive PEUC payments when these expire. 

Claimants that have exhausted both regular unemployment and PEUC benefits may be eligible for an additional 13 weeks of unemployment benefits under the Extended Benefits program. Eligible claimants will be notified by DUI and can apply through the BEACON system here.

Filing an Unemployment Claim

You must file your initial unemployment claim through the DUI’s BEACON system here. You will need the following information to file your first claim. 

  • Social Security Number
  • Personal mailing address and contact information
  • Employment history for the past 18 months, including:
    • Employers’ business names
    • The physical address for each employer
    • Telephone number
    • First and the last date that you worked for each employer
    • The reason you are no longer employed
  • Alien Registration number and the date your work authorization expires if you are not a US citizen
  • DD214 Member 4 if you were in the military
  • Form SF-8 if you were a federal employee
  • The name and local number of the union hall (if you are a member)
  • Name, birthdate, and social security number for all dependents under 16 years old.

In addition to the above, you may be asked for additional documentation such as proof of your income, tax returns, travel restrictions, or correspondence from your employer that you cannot begin working or that the business was closed due to COVID-19.

For assistance with filing your claim or with the state’s new BEACON program, contact a claims agent (667) 207-6520.  Phone assistance is available from Monday-Friday 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Saturday 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM; Sunday 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM.   

To be eligible for Unemployment Insurance benefits in Maryland, you must meet the following eligibility requirements during the pandemic:

  • Unemployed or had a reduction in hours due to no fault of your own
  • Earned enough wages to be eligible for unemployment benefits

Filing Weekly Claims (Certification) and FAQs

You must file a weekly claim to prove that you are still eligible and qualify for unemployment benefits.  You have up to 7 days immediately after the end of each week that you are unemployed to file this weekly claim. Weekly claims can be filed online or by phone at (877) 293-4125.

If you don’t file your weekly claim within the required time, your benefit payments may be delayed or denied.  You must call the DUI for assistance.

If there is a problem with your claim that should be resolved before benefits can be paid or you have appealed a denial in benefits, you must still file a weekly claim online or over the phone. If it is determined that you are eligible or if you win your appeal, you will be paid these benefits retroactively. However, if you win the appeal but have not claimed benefits, you will not be paid for these weeks.

I filed my unemployment claim several weeks ago. Will I receive back pay once my claim is approved?

Over the past few months, the DUI has streamlined its application, improved its claim processing time, and hired more live agents to address incoming phone calls. Even with these measures, there is still a backlog of claims in the process. If you are waiting to hear back about your claim, you will receive retroactive benefit payments up to the date that you were determined eligible as long as you filed your claims each week.

This also applies to the FPUC $600 per week additional benefit, which expired the week of June 25. If you have filed an unemployment claim before that date and are still awaiting a response regarding your eligibility for unemployment, you will be paid retroactive benefits for the back weeks of FPUC if you are eligible. This is the case even if the decision is not made until after the July 25 expiration date. 

If you are not eligible for regular unemployment, you may collect benefits under the PUA program.  To determine eligibility, you must file a new unemployment insurance claim if you have not already done so. Once your eligibility is determined, the DUI will notify you electronically about what steps you need to take to be paid PUA benefits.

While you are waiting to hear back, you should continue to file weekly certifications. If you are eligible for PUA benefits for weeks that have already passed, you may recover back pay if you submitted weekly certifications.

My employer reduced my hours due to the pandemic. Can I still collect unemployment benefits?

Individuals who work reduced hours due to the COVID-19 pandemic may still be eligible to collect partial unemployment benefits if your gross earnings are less than the weekly benefit amount.

You must continue to file your weekly certification and report any of your wages earned during the week. Wages earned may reduce your unemployment benefit.

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4 thoughts on “Maryland (MD) Unemployment Benefits Repayment Waivers and Retroactive Benefits – Latest News and Updates”

  1. A Baltimore City Circuit Court judge issued a temporary restraining order requiring the Hogan administration to maintain expanded federal unemployment benefits that were due to expire at midnight.

    The order from Judge Lawrence Fletcher-Hill was released around 10 a.m. Saturday.

    The action will, at least temporarily, maintain benefits for those who have been unemployed for more than 26 weeks, and $300 payments to workers who haven’t historically qualified for benefits including independent contractors and gig workers.

    About 85% of Marylanders currently receiving unemployment benefits fall into one of those categories.

    Reply
  2. I was receiving PUA which has been exhausted as of March 14 2021. Due to covid 19 I still can not work. Do I reapply or what do I do?

    Reply
  3. Was wondering if DUI could create a line for claimants to call specifically to backdate our Md. EB to December 1, 2020 since it was stated that some, not all may have to do that in order to receive our backpay for the extension. Or they could add it to the menu on the 410-949-0022 line. Makes it easier for just that group of people. Even if its automated. Give option to do a from-until date. Just my thoughts after reading all this.

    Reply
    • Hello Cynthia,

      I been waiting since December 2020 for regular UI benefits. My status says pending. I have tried to call, chat, email and I get the same response. My claim is being escalated and someone will get back to me. That is a lot of back pay. I am waiting. I have run out of all my resources and everything. Yes, they should be a number for people that want an extension and backpay information. I guess they have not made it to that level yet.

      Reply

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