DLLR's Division of Unemployment Insurance

GENERAL INFORMATION

1. What unemployment insurance services or information can I access by telephone? What is the number I should call?
2. What information do I need to have before filing a claim?
3. When should I first file? How should I file?
4. What are my responsibilities as a claimant?
5. How much money can I receive and how is my weekly benefit amount (WBA) determined?
6. How do I know if I am monetarily eligible?
7. What is a benefit year and how long does it last?
8. Can I be paid for my dependents?
9. How often and when must I file continued claims (request for payment)?
10. How will I receive my unemployment insurance benefits?
11. How long can I continue to collect benefits?
12. What income must I report and when should it be reported? What effect will this income have on my benefits?
13. What if I am working full time but earning less than my weekly benefit amount (WBA)?
14. What happens if I quit my job?
15. What happens if I am fired from my job?
16. When, why and how will the Division of Unemployment Insurance contact me?
17. What should I do if I cannot report or be available as instructed?
18. What does it mean to be disqualified or penalized? What can cause a disqualification?
19. What do I do if I receive a Notice of Benefit Determination denying my unemployment insurance benefits and I want to appeal the denial?
20. If I have been working part-time but am now unemployed and only looking for part-time work, am I eligible for unemployment insurance benefits?
21. Can I file for unemployment insurance benefits if I do not meet the definition of a part-time worker, as defined in the question above, but am working part-time?
22. Can I be exempt from the regular work search requirements?
23. When should I contact the Division of Unemployment Insurance (DUI)?
24. What if I worked in a state other than Maryland?
25. What if I have worked in more than one state in the last 18 months?
26. What if I am living in another state, but worked in Maryland in the last 18 months?
27. What is unemployment insurance fraud and what penalties can be imposed?
28. Are unemployment insurance payments taxable?
29. Must I enroll with the Maryland Division of Workforce Development?
30. How do I get help in finding a job?
31. Can my failure to report to the Division of Workforce Development affect my unemployment insurance benefits?

DEBIT CARD INFORMATION

1. What is the Maryland Unemployment Insurance Benefit Debit Card?
2. If I receive a debit card, does that mean that I have met the eligibility criteria for Maryland unemployment insurance benefits?
3. When will I not receive a debit card?
4. What are the advantages of receiving my payments by debit card?
5. How can I access my unemployment insurance benefit payments using my debit card?
6. Can I access the entire cash amount of my unemployment insurance benefit payment on the same day the funds are available?
7. When will I receive a payment?
8. How do I check my debit card balance or track my spending?
9. If I stop filing for unemployment insurance benefits and then at a later point re-apply, can I use the same debit card?
10. What should I do if I change my address?
11. What do I do if my debit card has been lost or stolen?
12. When do I contact Citibank?
13. When do I contact the Division of Unemployment Insurance?

GENERAL INFORMATION

What unemployment insurance services or information can I access by telephone? What is the number I should call?
The Division of Unemployment Insurance (DUI) has an automated telephone information system that is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This is the Claimant Information Service referred to in many of these questions.

• The telephone number for people living in the Baltimore area or in a state other than Maryland is (410) 949-0022
  and the TTY number for the hearing impaired is (410) 767-2727.
• The toll free telephone number for people living in Maryland but outside the Baltimore calling area, is 1-800-827-4839
  and the TTY number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-827-4400.
• The Maryland relay number for the hearing impaired is 711.

To access one of the following information options, press or speak the number that corresponds to the requested option.

If you are a rotary caller, you must clearly speak the numbers "one", "two", "three", "four" or "five" to select the information option you want, and the system will interpret your selection. Simple instructions are provided to rotary callers to explain how to use speech recognition.

The automated voice response service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Service representatives are available to help people with special problems or questions Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. EST on any weekday excluding State holidays.

What information do I need to have before filing a claim?
You will need to have:

• your name, Social Security number, address and telephone number;
• if you are claiming dependents, you will need their names, birth dates and Social Security numbers; and
• the name, complete payroll address, telephone number and reason for separation for each employer you worked for in the 18 months prior to filing your claim.

When should I first file? How do I file?
Eligibility for unemployment insurance benefits cannot be determined until you actually file an initial claim. If you are unemployed, file your claim as soon as possible, as your eligibility begins the week in which you file your claim. Your claim becomes effective the Sunday of the week during which you apply for benefits.

You can file via the Internet at mdunemployment.com or by telephone using one of the telephone numbers listed on the Unemployment Insurance Home Page under "Claim Center Telephone Numbers."

In addition, you must be unemployed through no fault of your own, be able to work, available for work, looking for full-time work (unless defined by Unemployment Insurance as a part-time worker), and willing to accept a job for which you are qualified.

What are my responsibilities as a claimant?
Whether you are just now filing for or are currently receiving unemployment insurance benefits, you must:

• be able to work, available for work and you must make an active search for full-time work (unless defined by Unemployment Insurance as a part-time worker);
• report all wages earned each week;
• report all monies received by you (e.g., vacation pay, severance pay, pension payments, etc.);
• be available and/or contact the Division of Unemployment Insurance when directed to do so;
• report to the Maryland Division of Workforce Development when required to do so;
• accept suitable work as defined by law;
• file timely bi-weekly continued claims (request for payment). For more details see the question, "How often and when must I file continued claims (request for payment)?".

How much money can I receive and how is my weekly benefit amount (WBA) determined?
The weekly benefit amount (WBA) is the amount of money you may receive and is based on the amount that you were paid by all employers for whom you worked during the base period. The higher your earnings, the higher your weekly benefit amount up to the maximum allowed by law. The current weekly benefit amount provided by the Maryland Unemployment Insurance Law ranges from a minimum of $25 to a maximum of $430. For all individuals filing a claim for a new benefit year on or after March 4, 2012, the minimum weekly benefit amount will be $50. If you established a benefit year prior to March 4, 2012, and you were eligible for less than $50, that amount will not change.

Standard Base Period

The standard base period is the first four of the last five calendar quarters completed before you file your new claim for benefits. If you worked full-time during all four quarters, your weekly benefit amount (WBA) will be approximately one-half of your gross weekly wage up to the maximum weekly benefit amount in effect at the time. You must have earnings in at least two of the four quarters of the base period. View the Maryland Schedule of Benefits as a web page or a PDF document (302KB, download Adobe Acrobat for free).

Example of standard base period:
If you file your claim in March, your base period will be the 12-month period from October 1st through September 30th before you filed your claim. The table below shows the base period for a new claim filed in any month of the year:
 

If you have worked outside of Maryland or for the Federal government or served in the Armed Services during your base period, you must report this information when you file your claim. Under certain circumstances, these wages can be combined with your Maryland wages to give you a higher weekly benefit amount. If you have no Maryland wages during the base period, you may be required to file a Federal claim or an interstate claim. Division of Unemployment Insurance staff will help you with this process.

Alternate Base Period

Under the law, if you are not eligible for any unemployment insurance benefits using the standard base period outlined above, you may request eligibility based on an alternate base period. The alternate base period uses the most recently completed four quarters of wages. If your standard base period is monetarily ineligible and you think you may be eligible using your most recently completed four quarters of wages, you must call a claim center to request the alternate base period.

Example of the alternate base period:
If you file your claim in March, your base period will be the 12-month period from January 1st through December 31st before you filed your claim. The table below shows the alternate base period for a new claim filed in any month of the year:
 

How do I know if I am monetarily eligible?
You will receive a form called a "Determination of Monetary Eligibility." It will show your base period wages and your weekly benefit amount if you are monetarily eligible.

Form DLLR/DUI 212, "Determination of Monetary Eligibility," is mailed to you within 3 days after you file your initial claim. This form is for your records and it contains a listing of your base period earnings. It lists all the employers for whom you worked who are covered by the Maryland Unemployment Insurance Law and all wages these employers reported under your name and Social Security number during the base period.

Check this form carefully. Does it:

• List any employers for whom you did not work?
• List all employers for whom you did work during your base period?
• List all the wages you earned during the base period?

If you think a correction should be made, you must contact the Claimant Information Service within 15 days and ask for a correction. You may be asked to provide copies of your Social Security card, check stubs, W-2 forms and any other proof of wages that you have.

Remember, you must contact DUI within 15 days for your protest to be accepted. Have your "Determination of Monetary Eligibility" with you when you call. In addition, you must continue to file timely bi-weekly continued claims (request for payment) while you await the result of the protest.

If you are not eligible for any unemployment insurance based on the standard base period explained above, the form will contain instructions on how to apply for the alternate base period, also explained above. You will need to contact DUI within 15 days as explained in the preceding paragraph and continue to file timely bi-weekly continued claims (request for payment).

In addition to being monetarily eligible, you must be unemployed through no fault of your own, able to work, available for work, looking for full-time work (unless defined by Unemployment Insurance as a part-time worker), and willing to accept a job for which you are qualified in order to collect benefits.

What is a benefit year and how long does it last?
Once you qualify for benefits, you establish a "benefit year." Your benefit year is the one-year (52 weeks) period beginning with the Sunday of the first week in which you file your new claim. For example, if you filed your new claim on Friday, October 8, 2010, your benefit year would start with the preceding Sunday, October 3, 2010; this would be your "effective date." Your benefit year would last until October 2, 2011. During a benefit year you may receive up to 26 times your weekly benefit amount. Under normal circumstances, you may not start another benefit year until the first one is completed. However, if you have also worked in another state during your base period and have received all your Maryland benefits in your benefit year, you may file against the other state in which you worked and you may be eligible for benefits from that state. Call the Claimant Information Service for more details.

At the end of your benefit year, you may be eligible to establish a new benefit year, if you have been employed during the current benefit year and earned at least 10 times the weekly benefit amount for which you would be eligible during the new benefit year. Call the Claimant Information Service for further information on establishing a new benefit year.

Can I be paid for my dependents?
For Unemployment Insurance purposes, a dependent is defined as a son, daughter, stepson, stepdaughter, or legally adopted child (not grandchild or foster child) under 16 years of age for which you provide support. You may be eligible for dependents' allowance of $8 per dependent for up to 5 dependent children. Dependents' allowance will only be paid for 26 weeks during any one-year period. Only one parent may claim a dependent during any one-year period. The maximum weekly benefit amount, including any dependents' allowance is currently $430 per week.

How often and when must I file continued claims (request for payment)?
If you file an unemployment insurance claim against the State of Maryland, you must file continued claims for each week of unemployment for which you are requesting UI benefits. You may file your continued claims (request for payment) by telephone (Telecert) or Internet (Webcert). Normally you file a continued claim once every two weeks, which covers a two-week period. However, for the first week of benefits, the continued claim will only cover a one-week period.

It is your responsibility to keep track of the weeks for which you are requesting payment and to file those continued claims by telephone or internet timely. Failure to file your continued claims timely causes a delay in benefits and may result in denial of benefits. If your continued claims are filed properly and have been accepted over the telephone or internet, you will receive a processing number. If you do not get a processing number, the continued claim has not been accepted. If this occurs, you must contact the Claimant Information Service immediately in order to ensure continued payment of benefits. Don't wait. To be considered timely, your continued claim must be filed within 14 days from the Saturday of the most recent week for which you are requesting benefits.

Example:
In order to file a timely continued claim for the weeks ending March 5, 2011 and March 12, 2011, you must file by telephone or internet by March 26, 2011. If you do not, when you file you will receive a message that says: "Our records show that you are attempting to file an untimely claim. Please call an Unemployment Insurance Claim Center if you feel that you should be filing a claim."

Benefits for weeks that are not filed on time will be denied according to unemployment insurance law and regulations. Any claims for weeks between the first untimely week and the date you contact DUI to reopen your claim will also be denied.

It is very important that your responses to the questions on the continued claim are complete, correct and honest. Your responses to these questions become a part of your Unemployment Insurance record and will be retained. Remember it is a criminal offense to make any false statements or fail to disclose any wages or other material facts in order to obtain or increase benefits.

How will I receive my unemployment insurance benefits?
The State of Maryland issues unemployment insurance benefit payments with the Maryland Unemployment Insurance (UI) Benefit Prepaid Debit Card. This method of payment is mandatory.

How long can I continue to collect benefits?
If you remain totally unemployed and otherwise remain eligible, you may receive 26 times your weekly benefit amount. This is the maximum amount of unemployment insurance benefits payable under the law. Since Maryland has a bi-weekly continued claim processing system, you will receive a payment every two (2) weeks, with the exception of the first week for which you claim benefits. Under normal circumstances, your first payment will represent one week of benefits and each payment thereafter will usually cover two weeks of benefits. NOTE: The only time that benefits can exceed an amount in excess of 26 weeks times your weekly benefit amount is if a federal extension program is available. You will be notified if an extension program is in effect.

You may file claims for more than 26 weeks if you earn some wages and partial benefits are paid. However, if you file for more than 26 weeks of benefits, no more than 26 weeks of dependents' allowance can be paid in a benefit year. If you have received all the benefits to which you are entitled (normally 26 weeks), then you may receive no more until the benefit year is over, even if you work again and become unemployed. NOTE: The only time that benefits can exceed an amount in excess of 26 weeks times your weekly benefit amount is if a federal extension program is available. You will be notified if an extension program is in effect.

What income must I report and when should it be reported? What effect will this income have on my benefits?
Any income must be reported. The Division of Unemployment Insurance (DUI) staff will make a determination based on the Maryland Unemployment Insurance Law regarding whether the monies will have an effect on your weekly benefit amount.

When you file your initial claim or reopen your existing claim, you must report full or part-time wages earned during that week from regular employment, self-employment, odd jobs, etc. regardless of whether you were paid during that week.

You must also report pensions, annuities, holiday pay, vacation pay, severance pay, bonuses and special payments that you have received or will receive. Commission payments must be reported during the week in which you receive the commission.

When you file your bi-weekly continued claims for benefits, you must report all gross wages (all wages earned before taxes and other deductions) earned during the week in which the work was performed regardless of whether you were paid during that week. This includes wages earned for permanent and temporary work, part-time and fulltime work, self-employment and odd jobs. Commission payments are handled differently. Commission payments must be reported during the claim week in which you receive the commission payments. If your unemployment insurance benefit year began before March 6, 2011, the first $100 in earnings will not be deducted from unemployment insurance benefits. However, you must report all earnings, even if under $100. Any earnings over $100 per week will be deducted from your benefit payment on a dollar for dollar basis. Earnings are considered payment, in any form, for any work or service performed, including self-employment, tips and odd jobs.

If your unemployment insurance benefit year begins on or after March 6, 2011, the first $50 will not be deducted from unemployment insurance benefits. All of the rules for reporting the earnings, outlined in the previous paragraph will apply.

In addition, DUI must be notified if during the continued claim process you receive a back pay award or if there is a change in your pension amount.

When you return to work, you must report the wages earned during the week you first work, regardless of whether you have been paid.

If you do not report these payments as instructed, you are committing unemployment insurance fraud. If you are found guilty of fraud, all fraudulently acquired benefits must be repaid with interest, and you will not be permitted to receive any future unemployment insurance benefits for a one year period from the date the fraud issue is determined. In addition to these administrative penalties, you can be fined up to $1,000 or imprisoned for up to 90 days, or both.

What if I am working full time but earning less than my weekly benefit amount (WBA)?
If you are working full-time but earning wages that are less than your weekly benefit amount, you are not unemployed as defined by the Maryland Unemployment Insurance law. As a result, you are not entitled to either total or partial unemployment insurance benefits. Therefore, it is your responsibility to notify DUI staff that you are a full-time worker. Failure to disclose this fact may be viewed as an attempt to fraudulently collect unemployment insurance benefits.

When, why and how will the Division of Unemployment Insurance contact me?
You may receive a notice from DUI asking you to be available at your telephone number to talk to a staff member for some specific reason. The notice will tell you the reason for the call and when to be available. You must be available at the telephone number that you provided on the date and at the time shown on the notice. Failure to be available could result in a delay or denial of benefits.

You may also occasionally receive a notice asking you to report in-person or by telephone for an appeal hearing. Have your notice with you. Failure to be available for this hearing could result in a delay or denial of benefits.

What should I do if I cannot report or be available as instructed?
It is important to read any notice carefully and follow the instructions that are provided concerning what to do if you cannot be available or report in-person as specified in the notice. In most cases, you should send the notice back to the address specified on the notice explaining why you cannot report. Also, if the notice was concerning an unemployment insurance fact finding interview to resolve a particular issue, (for example, a voluntary quit) provide as much information as possible concerning that issue.

Any correspondence should always include your name, address and Social Security number. If you have any questions, call the Claimant Information Service. Failure to be available by telephone or report in-person as instructed may delay payment and may result in denial of your benefits.

What does it mean to be disqualified or penalized? What can cause a disqualification?
If you are disqualified, a penalty has been imposed on your claim for benefits because some requirement of the Unemployment Insurance Law has not been met. You cannot receive benefits until the penalty is satisfied. Below is a link to a list of issues that commonly need to be resolved before benefits are payable. If there is an issue on your claim, you will be notified by mail of the time and date of the fact finding appointment. The notice will also contain the telephone number that you provided when you filed your claim and you will be contacted at that telephone number. The issue(s) to be resolved will be printed on the notice. View more information about the types of issues and the disqualification associated with each particular issue.

What do I do if I receive a Notice of Benefit Determination denying my unemployment insurance benefits and I wish to appeal the denial?
The Notice of Benefit Determination that you will receive will explain why you were denied unemployment insurance benefits, and which section of the Maryland Unemployment insurance Law applies to the denial. The determination will also state how long you will be disqualified from receiving benefits.

The Notice of Benefit Determination will explain your appeal rights and the last day that an appeal may be filed.

The last date to file an appeal is printed on both monetary and nonmonetary determinations. You may appeal within 15 calendar days and request a hearing on the facts. The appeal must be filed in writing and it must be filed within 15 calendar days from the date the determination was mailed. Your signature must be included on the request for appeal. Appeal requests filed by e-mail are not acceptable. In order for the appeal request to be honored by the Appeals Division, the original signature of the person requesting the appeal must be provided. Appeal requests postmarked or faxed after that date may not be granted. All appeals must be in writing and submitted by mail to the Appeals Division, 1100 N. Eutaw Street, Rm. 505, Baltimore, MD 21201 or by fax at 410-225-9781.

You must continue to file timely continued claims bi-weekly. You will not be eligible to receive benefits for any week(s) that was not filed timely, even if you win the appeal.

If a Notice of Benefit Determination involves one of your employers, that employer also has the right to appeal the decision. If either you or your employer files an appeal and you are still unemployed, you must continue to file your timely biweekly continued claims. If you do not, you will not receive benefits, even if the appeal decision is in your favor.

More information about appeals

If I have been working part-time but am now unemployed and only looking for part-time work, am I eligible for unemployment insurance benefits?
A part-time worker who has become unemployed and is only looking for part-time work may be eligible if he/she meets the definition and requirements outlined in the Maryland Unemployment Insurance Law. The definition and requirements are provided below.

A part-time worker is defined as an individual whose availability for work is restricted to part-time work, and who worked at least 20 hours per week in part-time work for a majority of the weeks of work in the base period (time period used to determine monetary eligibility for benefits).

A part-time worker is considered to be able and available for work if he/she:

• Met the definition of part-time worker outlined above;
• Is actively seeking part-time work;
• Is available for part-time work for at least the number of hours worked at the part-time
• worker's most recent employment, but no less than 20 hours per week; and
• Is in a labor market in which a reasonable demand exists for part-time work.

A part-time worker is not considered to be unemployed, and, therefore, not entitled to benefits, if the part-time worker is working all hours for which he/she is available regardless of the amount of money earned.

Can I file for unemployment insurance benefits if I do not meet the definition of a part-time worker, as defined in the question above, but am working part-time?
If you do not meet the definition of a "part-time worker" as explained above, but are working all of the hours your employer has available and your gross pay is less than your weekly benefit amount plus any dependents' allowance, you may be eligible for partial benefits. However, you must still be able, available and actively seeking full-time work. You cannot restrict your work search to part-time work and be eligible for benefits. Also, you must report your gross wages each week.

If you stop working a part-time job, you must immediately notify the Division of Unemployment Insurance (DUI). Failure to do so could result in a finding of unemployment insurance fraud.

Can I be exempt from the regular work search requirements?
You may be eligible for a type of work search exemption if you are:

• On a temporary layoff and your employer has provided you with a definite return to work date of 10 weeks or less;
• A member of a union and are only permitted to get your work through the union hiring hall;
• In a training program approved by the agency;
• At least 60 years of age, laid off due to a lack of work and are subject to recall to work by your employer;
• Serving on a jury;
• Participating in the Work Sharing program.

When should I contact the Division of Unemployment Insurance (DUI)?
You should call DUI when:

• You first become unemployed and wish to file your initial claim for unemployment insurance benefits;
• You are filing for benefits, work and earn wages equal to or more than your weekly benefit amount during any week, and are now totally or partially unemployed and wish to resume filing for UI benefits; or
• You are requested, either by telephone or by receipt of a written notice, to do so by any DUI staff.

What if I worked in a state other than Maryland?
An unemployment insurance claim is filed against the state where you worked, not where you live. If all of your work in the last 18 months has been in a state other than Maryland, your claim should be filed against that state. The laws of the state you are filing against govern your claim. In some cases, the Maryland office will take your claim and forward all the information to the state where you worked. In most cases, you will be instructed to contact the state where you worked directly, States' Unemployment Insurance Contact Information or you may call a Maryland Claim Center, Claim Center Telephone Numbers.

These claims cannot be filed using the Maryland Unemployment Insurance Internet Website.

Any benefits you receive will be paid by the state against which you file and all correspondence will be with that state. You must meet all the requirements of that state's laws in order to be eligible.

Since the laws of each state are different, it is possible that your base period, benefit year and payment amount will be different from that of a Maryland worker. The laws of the state against which you file govern your claim.

Claims for unemployment insurance benefits may be filed against any of the United States, the District of Columbia (D.C.), Canada, Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands.

Note: Different states may also have different penalty periods, rules for dependents' allowances, etc.

What if I have worked in more than one state in the last 18 months?
You may have an option to file against any one of the states in which you worked and have monetary eligibility. You may choose to combine the wages of the states in which you worked to establish a combined wage claim, which may result in a higher weekly benefit amount.

To determine in which states you may have an option to file, contact the states in which you worked to explore all options. Your combined wage claim may be filed in any state in which you have employment and wages in the base period of the state and you qualify based on combining your wages. These claims cannot be filed using the Maryland Unemployment Insurance Internet Website. For more information, you may call a Maryland Claim Center, "Claim Center Telephone Numbers" or contact the states in which you worked. Other states' telephone numbers are listed at "State's Unemployment Insurance Contact Information."

What if am living in another state, but worked in Maryland?
If your base period earnings are in Maryland, but you do not live in Maryland, you would file your claim against Maryland. Your claim would be governed by the Maryland Unemployment Insurance Law. You can file your claim via the Internet at mdunemployment.com or by telephone using one of the telephone numbers listed on the Unemployment Insurance Home Page under "Claim Center Telephone Numbers."

If you move after establishing a Maryland claim, call the Claimant Information Service to have your address changed.

What is unemployment insurance fraud and what penalties can be imposed?
Unemployment insurance fraud is committed if you:

• file for benefits while working and do not report your earnings or
• make false statements or fail to give required information in order to obtain or increase benefits.

If you are found guilty of fraud you will:

• be considered overpaid for all benefits acquired fraudulently, and
• not be permitted to file for benefits for a one year period beginning the date fraud is determined, and
• be required to repay the fraudulently acquired benefits before any future benefits will be paid to you.

In addition to the above, penalties for fraud can include prosecution, which could result in a fine up to $1,000 or imprisonment for up to 90 days, or both, plus interest on the fraudulently collected benefits.

To report Unemployment Insurance fraud, call 1-800-492-6804.

Are unemployment insurance payments taxable?
Yes. Any unemployment insurance benefits that you receive must be reported as part of your gross income for both state and federal tax purposes. To assist you in filing your tax returns, we will send you an IRS Form 1099-G showing the total amount of unemployment insurance benefits paid to you during the previous year. You may elect to have taxes deducted from unemployment insurance payments. You can choose to have either Federal taxes, Maryland state taxes, both or neither deducted from your payment. You must sign and return the W-4 form to us before any taxes can be withheld from your unemployment insurance benefits.

Must I enroll with the Maryland Division of Workforce Development?
The Maryland Division of Workforce Development (DWD) provides a full range of employment services through the Maryland One-Stop Career Centers and via the internet. Free comprehensive job search assistance is an important part of your unemployment insurance benefits package. Under the Maryland Unemployment Insurance law, you must enroll with DWD within four weeks of filing your initial claim. You must enroll either 1) in person by visiting your nearest one-stop career center; or 2) via the internet at Maryland Workforce Exchange. The list of one-stop career centers is located on the back cover of the benefits pamphlet, "What You Should Know About Unemployment Insurance in Maryland," and on the internet at Maryland Workforce Exchange.

How do I get help in finding a job?
You may contact the Maryland Division of Workforce Development.

Can my failure to report to the Division of Workforce Development affect my unemployment benefits?
Failure to report as instructed by the Division of Workforce Development could result in a delay or denial of your unemployment insurance benefits.

On occasion, you may receive notification to report for some form of service provided by the Division of Workforce Development such as registration, job referral or an Early Intervention Workshop. The notice will tell you when and where to report. You must report in-person on the date and at the time shown on the notice. Whenever you report you should be prepared to accept an offer of suitable work and be ready to work immediately. Do not bring children, guests or pets to the office with you. Dress appropriately for a job interview. Bring the notice with you.

DEBIT CARD INFORMATION

What is the Maryland Unemployment Insurance Benefit Debit Card?
The Maryland Unemployment Insurance Benefit Prepaid Debit Card is a Visa® debit card issued through Citibank. The card is not a credit card. It carries no credit line and you are not subjected to a credit check or approval process to receive the card. Purchases and withdrawals are limited to the balance on your card. This card is valid for a two-year period.

If I receive a debit card, does that mean that I have met the eligibility criteria for Maryland unemployment insurance benefits?
Yes. If your UI payments are approved, first you will receive a notice entitled "Notice of First Benefit Payment Approval and Mailing of Your Prepaid Citibank Debit Card." Then, within 7 days of the date of that notice, you will receive your debit card. Your card will arrive in a YELLOW envelope with the State of Maryland logo and an Omaha Nebraska return address in the upper left-hand corner. Receipt of the card means that your first payment is available, but it does not mean that you will automatically be eligible to continue to receive UI benefits. However, if you meet all of the eligibility requirements of the Maryland UI Law, you will be eligible and will have a safe and convenient way to receive and access your Maryland UI benefits. To obtain information on UI eligibility requirements and the Citibank debit card, to file a Webcert continued claim, or to obtain a claim center telephone number, refer to other sections of this web site.

When will I not receive a debit card?
If your UI payments are not approved, you will not receive a debit card. Some reasons that could prevent you from being approved for payment are: you are not monetarily eligible; you have been denied UI benefits for a nonmonetary reason (for example, you quit or were discharged from your job, you are not able to work, etc.); or you have not filed a timely continued claim. For a more detailed explanation of these and other reasons, refer to other sections of this web site.

If you were previously issued a debit card, that card is valid for two years. Unless two years has passed since you received your debit card, no new card will be issued. In addition, you will not receive the notice entitled, "Notice of First Benefit Payment Approval and Mailing of Your Prepaid Citibank Debit Card."

What are the advantages of receiving my payments by debit card?
Some of the main advantages include:

• Saves time - Easy and quick access to your payments without waiting in line to cash or deposit a check
• Convenient - Withdraw cash at ATMs 24 hours a day and make purchases everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted
• Saves money - Reduce check cashing and money order fees
• Tracks spending - Free account information and customer service 24 hours a day
• Reliable - Receive your payments timely - no lost or stolen checks

How can I access my unemployment insurance benefit payments using my debit card?
To access your funds with your card, free of charge, you can:

• Access cash through bank tellers at any bank that accepts Visa
• Transfer your unemployment insurance payments to your personal bank account (similar to direct deposit)
• Withdraw cash from an ATM at: Citibank branches, MoneyPass ATM network, STARsf/Allpoint ATM network, and 7-Eleven stores
• Get cash back at select retail point-of-sale locations
• Make purchases through signature or pin-based transactions

Can I access the entire cash amount of my unemployment insurance benefit payment on the same day the funds are available?
Yes. The funds are available for withdrawal on the day of payment. There is no set amount that can be withdrawn from an ATM. Each ATM sets its own limit on the amount that can be withdrawn at one time or during one day. However, if you withdraw your money from a teller at a bank that displays the Visa logo, generally, you can withdraw all of the money on your card.

When will I receive a payment?
When you receive your debit card, your first payment is immediately available. 
In order to receive subsequent payments, you must file your continued claims (request for payment) on a biweekly basis. These future payments will be available on your debit card between 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. EST on the next working day (Monday through Friday, excluding holidays) following the date your continued claim is processed. This applies to both Webcerts (continued claims filed by Internet) and Telecerts (continued claims filed by telephone). For example, if you file your continued claim on Sunday, it will be processed on Monday night and the funds will be available on your debit card on Tuesday between 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. EST. The continued claim filing dates will be available on the internet on the unemployment insurance (Webcert) page and on your Citibank account page on the Citibank website.

The date and the amount of the last payment issued to you in the last 30 days may be obtained by calling the Claimant Information Service and choosing the payment information option or by accessing mdunemployment.com and selecting "Payment Information". DO NOT inquire about your payment until at least 48 hours have passed after filing your continued claim. Payments are processed at night on workdays only. For example, if you file your continued claim on Sunday morning, your payment will be processed Monday night, payment information will be available on the unemployment insurance website Tuesday morning, and the funds will be available on your debit card no later than Wednesday.

The payment information will also be available on the Citibank website. See your Citibank "Maryland Unemployment Insurance Benefit Prepaid Debit Card" guide.

How do I check my debit card balance or track my spending?
You can check your balance or view a summary of your account information online at Citibank website or you can call Citibank Customer Service at 1-800-582-4910.

If I stop filing for unemployment insurance benefits and then at a later point re-apply, can I use the same debit card?
Yes. You will need to hold onto your debit card in the event that you might receive future payments from the State of Maryland. The debit card is valid for a two-year period.

What should I do if I change my address?
You must notify the Division of Unemployment Insurance (DUI) at 410-949-0022 or 1-800-827-4839. Even though you will not be receiving checks through the mail, you may be sent notices from DUI and your failure to respond to the information/instructions in these notices could result in a delay or denial of your benefits.

What do I do if my debit card has been lost or stolen?
Immediately contact Citibank by calling 1-877-855-7201.

When do I contact Citibank?
Citibank should be contacted at 1-877-855-7201 if your card has been lost or stolen or you need to report unauthorized use of your card.. In addition, whenever you move or change your telephone number, you must change your address and/or telephone number with the Division of Unemployment Insurance at 410-949-0022 or 1-800-827-4839.

When do I contact the Division of Unemployment Insurance?
Contact the Division of Unemployment Insurance for concerns other than those related to the debit card, e.g., to question the amount of benefits you are paid or to obtain an explanation regarding a denial of benefits, etc. In addition, whenever you move or change your telephone number, you must change your address and/or telephone number with the Division of Unemployment Insurance at 410-949-0022 or 1-800-827-4839.

Return to the Division of Unemployment Insurance home page

Questions or comments regarding the Division of Unemployment Insurance may be directed to ui@dllr.state.md.us.
Questions or comments regarding the DLLR website may be directed to webmaster@dllr.state.md.us.