If you're trying to contact Maryland's unemployment agency by phone, you're dealing with the Maryland Division of Unemployment Insurance (DUI), which operates under the Department of Labor. Knowing the right number — and when and why to call — can save you significant time and frustration.
The primary claimant contact number for the Maryland Division of Unemployment Insurance is 667-207-6520. This line handles questions about existing claims, filing issues, payment status, and general eligibility questions.
Maryland also operates a Maryland Unemployment Insurance Beacon system, which is its online claims portal. Many issues that previously required a phone call can now be addressed through that portal — but phone contact remains necessary for certain situations, particularly when there's a hold on your claim, an adjudication issue, or a pending appeal.
📞 Hours of operation and specific line assignments can change. Always verify current contact information directly through the Maryland Department of Labor's official website (labor.maryland.gov) before calling.
Maryland's unemployment system, like most state systems, routes different issues through different channels. Understanding why you're calling helps you prepare for the right conversation.
Common reasons claimants call Maryland unemployment:
Some of these issues — particularly adjudication holds and identity verification — genuinely require speaking with an agent. Others, like checking payment status or updating work search records, may be faster through the Beacon system.
One of the most common reasons Maryland claimants call is because their claim is "in adjudication." This term appears frequently on claim status screens and in determination letters, and it causes significant confusion.
Adjudication simply means the agency is reviewing a specific issue before deciding whether benefits are payable. This can happen for several reasons:
During adjudication, payments are typically held until a determination is made. If the determination goes against you, you have the right to appeal — and Maryland has a formal appeals process for that.
If you receive a determination that denies or reduces your benefits, you have the right to appeal. In Maryland, the first level of appeal goes to the Office of Lower Appeals. If that decision is also unfavorable, further review is available through the Board of Appeals.
| Appeal Level | Who Handles It | General Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| First-level appeal | Office of Lower Appeals | Hearing scheduled, decision issued in writing |
| Second-level appeal | Board of Appeals | Reviews lower appeal record and decision |
| Circuit Court | Judicial review | Available after exhausting administrative appeals |
Timelines vary, and appeal deadlines are strict — Maryland's determination letters specify how many days you have to file. Missing that window generally means losing the right to appeal that decision.
Hold times at state unemployment agencies — including Maryland's — can be long, especially during periods of high claim volume. Preparing before you call can reduce how long you're on the line.
Have these available when you call:
Being specific about what you're asking — rather than a general "what's wrong with my claim" — typically gets you to the right place faster.
Maryland's BEACON One-Stop portal handles a significant portion of claimant needs without requiring a phone call. Through BEACON, claimants can:
🖥️ If your issue doesn't require speaking directly with an agent, the portal may resolve it more quickly than waiting on hold.
There are situations where calling is genuinely necessary. Identity verification flags, certain fraud holds, and some types of adjudication holds cannot be resolved through the portal alone. If your Beacon account shows a status that won't move after multiple weeks, or if you've received a letter requesting you call, that's a clear signal the phone line is the right channel.
Maryland's unemployment system, like every state's, is administered under a combination of federal framework rules and state-specific policy. What applies to a claimant in Maryland — benefit amounts, eligibility standards, work search requirements, appeal windows — reflects Maryland's particular rules, which differ from neighboring states like Virginia, Pennsylvania, or Delaware.
How your claim moves through the system depends on your specific work history, your separation circumstances, your employer's response, and how Maryland's current adjudication process handles the particular issue on your account.