Maryland

Maryland Layoff Resources

If you have been laid off in Maryland, these resources can help you apply for unemployment, understand layoff-notice protections, find health coverage, seek financial assistance, locate workforce services, and get reliable information about possible workplace problems.

Eligibility requirements vary by program. Use the links below to check current rules and apply through the responsible agency.

Unemployment Benefits and Filing

Maryland Unemployment Insurance may provide temporary income if you lost work through no fault of your own. File a weekly certification through BEACON for every week you want benefits. Unless exempt, complete and document at least three job-search activities each week, including at least one direct job contact, in the Maryland Workforce Exchange.

Layoff-Notice Protections

Maryland has its own Economic Stabilization Act in addition to federal WARN. The state law generally covers employers with at least 50 employees in Maryland and requires 60 days’ written notice before certain reductions in operations, including covered shutdowns or relocations that reduce a workplace by at least 25% or 15 employees, whichever is greater, over a three-month period. Counting rules and exceptions matter, so workers should not assume a layoff is covered based on headcount alone.

Health-Insurance Coverage

Losing job-based insurance usually creates a special enrollment opportunity. Compare Maryland Health Connection coverage, Maryland Medicaid, and COBRA before choosing.

Food, Cash, Childcare, Utility, and Local Assistance

myMDTHINK is Maryland’s main application system for SNAP, Temporary Cash Assistance, energy assistance, and certain other benefits. Medicaid is available through Maryland Health Connection. The Child Care Scholarship Program may help eligible families, but Maryland currently uses an enrollment freeze and waitlist for many new applicants, with statutory exceptions for certain families.

Workforce and Reemployment Services

Maryland American Job Centers provide no-cost job-search and training services, including résumé help, career guidance, veteran services, computer access, and information about training assistance.

Workplace Problems and Legal Help

Maryland Labor handles certain unpaid-wage claims. Employment-discrimination complaints generally must be filed with the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights within 300 days; employment-harassment complaints generally have a two-year filing period. Federal requirements may differ.

Civil legal help

Last reviewed: August 2026