Maryland’s COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Fund saves nearly 9,000 small business jobs

BALTIMORE, MD—Governor Larry Hogan on Monday announced that more than $10 million has been awarded to 445 small businesses through the Maryland Department of Labor’s COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Fund, saving more than 8,800 jobs. One of several relief programs introduced by the governor in March, the COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Fund quickly provided crucial financial assistance to Maryland’s small businesses and […]

Baltimore County to receive $646,519 for workforce development pilot program to combat opioid epidemic

BALTIMORE, MD—Governor Larry Hogan on Friday announced that Maryland is one of only four states in the nation selected to participate in a new initiative to provide training and other services to workers in communities significantly affected by the opioid crisis. The U.S. Department of Labor has awarded $4.6 million in funding to the Maryland Department of Labor for the […]

State of Maryland applies for additional $300 per week in federal unemployment benefits

UPDATE: Maryland’s request has been approved by FEMA – details here. Original story below… —— ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Larry Hogan on Wednesday announced that Maryland has submitted an application to the Federal Emergency Management Administration for the Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) grant, which will provide an additional $300 per week to Marylanders who are unemployed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “Maryland […]

Maryland’s Work Sharing Unemployment Insurance Program continues to expand

ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Larry Hogan on Tuesday announced that 223 businesses have now been approved to participate in the Maryland Department of Labor’s Work Sharing Unemployment Insurance Program. As Marylanders continue to navigate challenges related to COVID-19, this program preserves jobs by providing employers with a flexible alternative to layoffs. Employees can be retained at reduced hours while collecting partial unemployment […]

Maryland Department of Labor uncovers massive criminal fraud scheme

BALTIMORE, MD—The State of Maryland has uncovered a massive and sophisticated criminal enterprise involving more than 47,500 fraudulent unemployment insurance claims in Maryland and totaling over $501 million. The Maryland Department of Labor (Labor) is coordinating with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG) to investigate and prosecute individuals. “Since the beginning […]

Maryland Department of Labor announces over 93% of unemployment insurance claims processed

BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland Department of Labor (Labor) on Thursday provided an update about significant progress made in the processing and payment of unemployment insurance claims during the coronavirus pandemic. “Our department recently implemented a fix that has led to substantial progress in processing unemployment insurance claims, resulting in tens of thousands of eligible claimants receiving their benefits,” said Labor Secretary […]

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, […]

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, […]