Unemployment Compensation
Max Weekly Benefit Amt.
Max Weeks of Benefits
Max Benefit Amount
The money that you receive weekly from the state of Maryland is called unemployment compensation. Your payment (Weekly Benefit Amount) is decided upon based on how much you made during your employment period. The previous week's benefits (Sunday through Saturday) will be paid to you on the Friday of the next week. When you file your claim, a Weekly Benefit Amount will be set.
However, your unemployment benefits will vary depending on the results of your weekly claims. As a result, your unemployment benefit amount one week might be higher or lower than the previous week.
There is also a Maximum Benefit Amount that you will need to keep in mind. The best way to fully understand all of this information is to simply file for unemployment and have it explained to you.
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Calculating Maryland Unemployment Benefit Amounts
Determine Your Weekly Benefit Amount
The range of unemployment compensation in Maryland varies from $50 to $430. Calculate your Weekly Benefit Amount (WBA) by dividing your gross wages for the base period by 52 to find your average weekly salary. Divide this by two to get an approximation of your WBA.
EXAMPLE: If you made $42,000 in your base period, you would have an average weekly salary of $807.69. Divide that by two and you have $403, rounded down to the nearest whole dollar.
NOTE: Your WBA in Maryland can be increased by $8 per dependent child, up to five children. A dependent child is any child that you are responsible for who is under age 16.
You must file your dependents with your initial claim. Note that your extra dependent money can't put you above the $430 maximum.
Determine Your Maximum Benefit Amount
Multiply your Weekly Benefit Amount by 26 to calculate your Maximum Benefit Amount (MBA). The absolute maximum anyone can make is $11,180.
EXAMPLE: If your Weekly Benefit Amount is $403, your MBA would be $10,478.