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Maryland labor officials begin processing claims for federal unemployment benefits

March 23rd, 2021 by WCBC Radio

WBAL reports Gov. Larry Hogan announced Tuesday that state labor officials have begun accepting claims for federal unemployment benefits extended by the latest coronavirus relief bill. There will be no gap in eligibility or payment for claimants of Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, Pandemic Unemployment Emergency Compensation, Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation and Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation.

“While our state is making great strides in its recovery from the economic impacts of COVID-19, unemployment insurance benefits still remain a critical lifeline for many struggling Marylanders,” Hogan said in a statement. “As a result of Maryland’s fast programming and implementation of the newly extended federal programs, eligible claimants will once again continue to receive much-needed financial relief without interruption.”

The federal programs have been extended through Sept. 4. All claimants received an email over the weekend telling them whether they need to file their weekly claim certification or reopen their claim for the week ending last Saturday.

“It has officially been one year since our department began to receive an unprecedented increase in new unemployment insurance claims filed due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Labor Secretary Tiffany Robinson. “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the hundreds of unemployment insurance employees who have been working tirelessly to serve customers while successfully implementing a multitude of new and complex federal programs.” 

All claimants will still receive the additional $300 from the federal government in their weekly payment as long as they remain eligible for benefits and file their weekly claim certifications.

 

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