Unemployment claims continue to be up and down. When the coronavirus outbreak first began, new claims sky rocketed for the first several weeks, before experiencing its first decline in numbers.
Claimants are receiving overpayment notices for thousands of dollars. If you believe this information is incorrect, you can file a dispute by the deadline noted on the overpayment correspondence. Claimants can also contact the Benefit Payment Control Unit by calling 410-767-2404.
You can also send an email ui.overpaymentinquiry@maryland.gov or complete the online inquiry form here. Select selecting the "Overpayment" option.
On December 27, 2020, a new federal COVID-19 relief package was signed into law. As of January 5, 2021, the Maryland Department of Labor has begun accepting claims and issuing payments for the extended PUA, PEUC, and FPUC programs. Claimants will receive an email and instructions in the BEACON portal on how they should proceed with their claim. Additional guidance is needed before the new Mixed Earner Unemployment Insurance Program (MEUC) can be implemented.
If you're not seeing the payments in your BEACON account, there could be a technical issue. And unfortunately, that's something only the Department of Labor can address. Keep trying the 410-949-0022 phone number and emailing ui.inquiry@maryland.gov or dluiinquirystaff-labor@maryland.gov.
If you need to replace your Bank of America UI debit card, report it lost or stolen, or have questions about the status of your card, try calling the Debit Card Customer Service Center at 1-855-847-2029.
Claimants are having to wait months for fact-finding interviews. The Maryland Department of Labor hired a vendor to provide more adjudicators to work through the backlog. The Secretary of Labor spoke with WMAR-2 News Mallory Sofastaii about this issue in December.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I send the Department of Labor payment and security verification documents?
The best way for claimants to provide supporting documentation is to upload them to their BEACON portal, so all members of the unemployment insurance team can access them.
WMAR-2 News is committed to Rebound Maryland. Part of that is getting people back to work and helping everyone make ends meet. You can look at our Rebound section to see the steps being taken to help Maryland come out on top when all of this is over. If you are in need of a job bookmark the Getting Back to Work section to see jobs in Maryland posted daily. Since the pandemic started WMAR-2 News Mallory Sofastaii has been answering calls, emails and social media messages helping Marylanders through the problems with unemployment. If you are still not getting anywhere contact Mallory at Mallory@WMAR.com.
