Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Important Changes to Maryland Unemployment Law

The 2009 General Assembly enacted several changes to Maryland's unemployment law (the link goes to a review of the session -- scroll down to page 35 for the unemployment law reforms)

Here are the highlights:

Increase in benefits: The maximum weekly benefit rate will increase from increase from $380 to $410 for claims establishing a new benefit year on or after October 4, 2009. For claims establishing a new benefit year on or after October 3, 2010, the maximum weekly benefit is increased from $410 to $430. Additionally, by virtue of Federal Law, unemployment benefits have been extended up to an additional 33 weeks.

Benefits for Part-Timers: Individual who work on a part-time basis for at least 20 hours per week are now eligible for benefits.

Severance pay is disqualifiying. Eliminating what many thought was a loophole all severance and dismissal payments are deductible from unemployment insurance benefits

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