Md. To Cease Paying Enhanced Unemployment Benefits

Maryland will stop distributing enhanced pandemic federal unemployment benefits, and will reinstate work search requirements.

Governor Larry Hogan said Tuesday that the programs have brought important temporary relief, but as more people get vaccinated for COVID-19 many businesses say they can’t find the workers they need.

The state informed the federal administration that it will opt out of four programs effective July 3rd, including the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation Program that provides an additional $300 a week. Beginning that week, the Department of Labor will reinstate the standard requirement that all unemployment insurance claimants demonstrate they are actively searching for employment.

The state has paid out an estimated $12.3-billion in unemployment benefits since March 2020 to more than 730-thousand recipients.

“Our health and economic recovery continues to outpace the nation, and we have reached the benchmark set by President Biden of vaccinating 70% of adults,” Hogan said. “While these federal programs provided important temporary relief, vaccines and jobs are now in good supply. And we have a critical problem where businesses across our state are trying to hire more people, but many are facing severe worker shortages. After 12 consecutive months of job growth, we look forward to getting more Marylanders back to work.”

Maryland will opt out of these programs:

• Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC), which provides an additional $300 per week
• Mixed Earners Unemployment Compensation (MEUC)
• Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) 
• Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)

“As our state continues to make great progress in its economic recovery, employers are successfully reopening for business and creating job opportunities,” Labor Secretary Tiffany P. Robinson said. “Our team is available to connect jobseekers with a wide variety of training programs and resources, so they can find meaningful employment and return to the workforce.”