Maryland Division of Unemployment Insurance Extends Call Center Hours to Continue Assisting Federal Employees Affected by the Partial Government Shutdown

Extended Call Center Hours Accommodate Increase in Number of Claimants

BALTIMORE (Jan. 10, 2019) – The Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation’s Division of Unemployment Insurance (UI) has announced continuing measures to efficiently handle the increase in UI claims stemming from the partial federal government shutdown, including extended call center hours. Call centers will be open for an additional two hours each day, to better assist affected workers.

Furloughed employees are strongly encouraged to file their initial claim using the standalone internet application, which streamlines the application process. Claims can also be filed by phone.

Maryland is home to the fifth most federal employees amongst the states and the District of Columbia, with 147,524 federal workers. While not all of Maryland’s federal employees have been impacted by the shutdown, the Department of Labor has seen an increase in unemployment insurance claims since the shutdown began in December. To date, over 1,700 initial claims have been filed by employees from all affected agencies.

If you are a federal employee affected by the partial federal government shutdown, visit www.mdunemployment.com for more information and step-by-step instructions for filing your claim. To speak to a UI representative about your federal unemployment claim, please call 410-853-1700 during our extended claims center hours, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Employees of federal contractors who have been laid off due to the federal shutdown must file a regular unemployment insurance claim online at www.mdunemployment.com or by calling 1-877-293-4125.
Current UI claimants will not be impacted by the shutdown. The Division of Unemployment Insurance will remain open, and will continue to pay unemployment benefits. If you are a current claimant, please continue filing your weekly certification.

About the Maryland Department of Labor
The Maryland Department of Labor is committed to safeguarding and protecting Marylanders. We're proud to support the economic stability of the state by providing businesses, the workforce, and the consuming public with high-quality, customer-focused regulatory, employment, and training services. For updates and information, follow the Maryland Department of Labor on Twitter (@MD_Labor), Facebook and visit our website.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Theresa Blaner
Director, Communications and Media Relations
410-230-6241