Maryland Division of Unemployment Insurance processes claims through BEACON at beacon.labor.maryland.gov — file as soon as you lose your job. Maryland pays up to $430/week for 26 weeks, with a one-week waiting period before benefits begin. Maryland's DC metro corridor workforce includes a large population of government employees and federal contractors — workers in these categories have specific considerations when filing, including how federal employment status interacts with Maryland UI eligibility.
- File through BEACON at beacon.labor.maryland.gov immediately — the waiting week clock starts when you file.
- Federal contractors and government workers: verify your covered employer status before filing — some federal arrangements may not qualify for Maryland UI.
- Maximum: $430/week for 26 weeks. BEACON is Maryland's online portal launched in 2020.
Always verify exact numbers, deadlines, and forms on the Maryland Division of Unemployment Insurance's official website – this page provides general guidance, not state-specific legal advice.
Filing Through BEACON
Go to beacon.labor.maryland.gov and create an account or log in. BEACON replaced Maryland's legacy UI system in 2020 and is the primary platform for all new claims, weekly certifications, and appeals. Have your Social Security number, employment history for the past 18 months, and bank routing number for direct deposit. Phone filing is available at 1-800-827-4839 during business hours. For federal contractor workers, be prepared to provide your contractor's FEIN and confirm whether your employer paid Maryland UI contributions (not all federal contract arrangements are covered).
Frequently Asked Questions
- I'm a Maryland federal contractor worker whose contract was not renewed. Can I file Maryland UI?
- Possibly — it depends on whether your employer (the contracting company, not the federal agency) paid Maryland UI contributions on your wages. Private federal contractors are generally Maryland-covered employers and pay Maryland UI contributions on W-2 wages. File through BEACON at beacon.labor.maryland.gov. Maryland Division of UI will verify your employer's contribution status. If your employer was a federal agency directly (a federal civilian employee), you are covered by federal UCFE, not Maryland UI — contact the federal agency's HR about UCFE filing procedures.
- BEACON is giving me error messages when I try to file. What do I do?
- Try clearing your browser cache and using Chrome or Firefox. BEACON is a newer system (launched 2020) and performs better with current browser versions. If errors persist, call Maryland Division of UI at 1-800-827-4839. Document the specific error message and when it occurred in case you need to explain a delayed filing. Maryland may accept a phone claim if BEACON is experiencing technical issues near your filing deadline — act the same day rather than waiting for the system to resolve itself.
- How long does Maryland Division of UI take to process my first payment?
- For straightforward layoff claims, Maryland typically processes first payments within 3 to 4 weeks. Federal contractor claims with employment verification requirements can take longer. Check your BEACON account for claim status. Direct deposit is significantly faster than Maryland's paper check or debit card option. If your claim is still pending after 4 weeks for a clear layoff, call Maryland Division of UI at 1-800-827-4839.
- My Maryland employer went out of business suddenly. The BEACON system doesn't recognize the employer's FEIN. How do I file?
- Proceed with the BEACON filing using whatever employer information you have — the company name, address, and approximate FEIN from your W-2 or pay stubs. Maryland Division of UI's employer database may lag or not include all employers, particularly those that recently closed. Continue the filing and note in any open comment field that the employer is closed. Maryland DUI will verify the employer's contribution records. A closed employer doesn't disqualify you — the question is whether they paid Maryland UI contributions while you worked there.
- I was a federal employee (not a contractor) in Maryland. How do I file for unemployment?
- Federal civilian employees are covered under UCFE (Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees), administered at the state level. In Maryland, you file UCFE through the Maryland Division of UI — the process starts at labor.maryland.gov or by calling 1-800-827-4839. UCFE benefits are paid from federal funds rather than Maryland's UI trust fund but are administered by Maryland. You'll need your SF-8 or SF-50 form from your federal agency. UCFE benefits follow Maryland's payment rules and amounts.