Baltimore County seeking proposals for emergency food, shelter grants

TOWSON, MD—Baltimore County has issued a call for grant applications from county, community-based organizations that provide services related to food or shelter. The grants will be distributed as part of the federally-funded Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP). “We know so many residents are struggling to address their families’ basic needs as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said County […]

New partnership provides mental health counseling to nursing home staff and other frontline workers

BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland Department of Health is partnering with the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) to provide the Maryland COVID-19 Mental Health Crisis Support Program, a new initiative offering mental health support for people working in skilled nursing and other long-term care facilities impacted by COVID-19. In recent weeks, MIEMSS has coordinated with medical health task forces […]

Maryland unemployment claims fall, over 50,000 file for unemployment

UPDATE: This post has been edited to include those filing for Pandemic Unemployment Insurance. Original story below… —— NOTTINGHAM, MD—The number of Marylanders filing for first-time unemployment benefits fell compared to the prior week. The U.S. Department of Labor reported on Thursday that 51,108 Maryland residents applied for first-time unemployment benefits for the week ended May 16, 2020. That marks […]

Application for Harford County COVID-19 small business relief grant application goes live, Baltimore County applications accepted through May 26

NOTTINGHAM, MD—Small business owners in Harford County may now apply for COVID-19 relief grants. Applications went online on Monday morning for Harford County’s small business relief grants, paid for from Harford County’s share of federal CARES Act funding. Small businesses with 2 to 50 employees can apply for $7,500 grants toward social distancing expenses, PPE purchases, payroll, and other operating […]

Maryland Department of Labor announces payment of 327K unemployment insurance claims during COVID-19 pandemic

BALTIMORE, MD—Maryland Department of Labor Secretary Tiffany P. Robinson on Tuesday provided an update about the processing and payment of unemployment insurance claims in Maryland since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. Despite the unprecedented volume of claims and hurdles to implementing new federal programs, Maryland has been able to pay 327,649 of the unemployment claims received during the pandemic, […]

Maryland unemployment claims rise, over 65,000 filed for unemployment over the past week

NOTTINGHAM, MD—The number of Marylanders filing for first-time unemployment benefits rose compared to the prior week. The U.S. Department of Labor reported on Thursday that 65,262 Maryland residents applied for first-time unemployment benefits for the week ended May 2, 2020. That marks a increase of over 27,000 from last week’s newly-revised figure of 37,925. Across the nation, a total of […]

Frosh joins coalition urging Congress to strengthen Paycheck Protection Program

NOTTINGHAM, MD—Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh on Wednesday joined a coalition of 23 state attorneys general in calling for key changes to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to ensure that funds are distributed fairly and equitably. In a letter sent to Congressional leadership, the attorneys general express concern that the program, while helping some small businesses and their employees, […]

Department of Labor issues clarification with regard to unemployment claimants who inactivated their eligibility

BALTIMORE, MD—Maryland Department of Labor Secretary Tiffany P. Robinson on Tuesday provided the following update regarding the state’s unemployment portal: “At Governor Hogan’s direction, we have taken every necessary step to improve the performance of the BEACON One-Stop unemployment insurance application in a matter of days. Claimants experienced zero to minimal wait times on the site on Sunday and Monday, […]