WASHINGTON — The Maryland Department of Labor announced this week that more than 108,000 new unemployment claims had been filed over the past seven days.
In Virginia, Governor Ralph Northam said nearly 150,000 Virginians filed unemployment claims during that time.
This marks the third straight week of record-setting numbers of new claims in both states.
Despite those numbers, today Maryland Governor Larry Hogan announced that 95% of Marylanders have been able to file their claims online without issues.
But that still leaves 5% of people struggling to file their claims. He says that is unacceptable.
"Even one unemployed Marylander not being able to be handled is completely unacceptable to me," says Hogan. "Which is why I’ve directed the Maryland Department of Labor to use every resource at their disposal."
On our show The Q & A at 7 p.m., WUSA9 is dedicated to answering your questions about COVID-19 and it's impact on society. Here are some of the questions we've received so far about unemployment in the DMV – and our answers for them.
QUESTION 1:
Our first question comes from Anita. She lives in Maryland, but works at Nordstrom in Tyson’s Corner and is struggling to get her claim processed.
She says she’s been calling the unemployment claim center in Maryland for the last two weeks. She wants to know when they’re going to answer, because she’s starting to lose hope.
ANSWER:
Last week WUSA9 reported that the Maryland Department of Labor had 400 people working in their claims center.
On Friday, Maryland Secretary of Labor Tiffany Robinson announced that more people will be joining that team.
"We’re in the process of more than doubling our claims center staffing… by temporarily reassigning over 150 state employees and hiring additional contractual employees," Robinson said."This will ensure that we can better serve our customers and reduce the backlog of phone calls."
In Virginia, Northam announced Friday that they're putting every resource possible to support the volume of unemployment claims they're receiving.
"The VEC is hiring more staff, hiring a private call center and upgrading the claims website," said Northam.
QUESTION 2:
Are DACA recipients allowed to apply for unemployment if furloughed? If so, how?
ANSWER:
WUSA9 reached out to the VEC and Maryland Department of Labor. They both say that DACA recipients who were laid off from their jobs due to no fault of their own are eligible to apply for unemployment benefits, and can apply for those benefits online.
QUESTION 3:
Our next question was sent by Marcia Taylor, who lives in Maryland but used to work in Virginia.
"My job ended August 6, 2019. The firm went bankrupt and I was recuperating from metastatic breast cancer, so I used the six months of unemployment to fully recuperate and my benefits ended February 6. My question is: Am I eligible to reapply for unemployment benefits for the state of Virginia?"
ANSWER:
The answer is yes, you are eligible to reapply for unemployment benefits in Virginia.
Through the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program, you can file for 13 weeks of extended benefits.
And through the CARES act, during those 13 weeks, you will receive at least $600 a week.
QUESTION 4:
When will I receive my unemployment check?
ANSWER:
For Marylanders it could be as soon as next week.
"By the end of next week… everyone eligible for benefits ending the week of April 4 will begin receiving an additional $600 per week on top of current regular benefits," Robinson said.
In Virginia, Northam said, "Next week we will launch the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program... which will boost weekly payments for those who have filed unemployment."
Robinson says that despite the volume of claims, most Marylanders are receiving their first benefit payment in less than 21 days.
Virginia didn’t provide a similar timeframe, but WUSA9 is still pressing them for answers.
If you have more questions you’d like us to tackle on The Q & A, just shoot us a text to 202-895-5700 or send an email to theqanda@wusa9.com.