If you're trying to reach Maryland's unemployment agency by phone, you're looking for the Maryland Division of Unemployment Insurance (DUI), which operates under the Maryland Department of Labor.
The main claimant contact number for the Maryland Division of Unemployment Insurance is:
📞 667-207-6520
This is the primary line for claimants with questions about an existing claim, filing issues, payment status, or other unemployment-related matters.
Hours of operation are subject to change, but the agency has historically maintained phone availability during standard business hours, Monday through Friday. During high-volume periods — immediately after mass layoffs, economic downturns, or program changes — wait times can be substantial. Calling early in the morning or mid-week often reduces hold times, though there's no guarantee.
Maryland's Division of Unemployment Insurance also maintains an online claims portal called BEACON, which handles initial claims, weekly certifications, payment requests, and some account updates. For many routine transactions, the online system may be faster than waiting on hold.
The DUI phone line handles a range of claimant needs, including:
Not everything can be resolved by phone. Formal appeals, documentation submissions, and certain account changes typically require action through the BEACON portal or written correspondence. If a phone representative cannot resolve your issue, they may direct you to a local American Job Center or to submit a specific form.
| Contact Method | Use Case |
|---|---|
| BEACON Online Portal | File claims, certify weekly, check payment status |
| Maryland Unemployment Phone: 667-207-6520 | General claimant questions, payment issues, claim status |
| American Job Centers | In-person assistance with claims and job search resources |
| Written correspondence | Appeals, formal disputes, documentation submission |
Maryland also operates American Job Centers throughout the state, which can assist claimants who need in-person help navigating the system — particularly for those without reliable internet access or who need help with the BEACON portal.
Phone contact with a state unemployment agency is often triggered by a specific complication in the claims process. Understanding what those complications involve helps clarify why some issues require more than a routine call.
Adjudication is the review process that happens when there's a question about whether you meet eligibility requirements — most often because of how your employment ended. A layoff due to lack of work typically moves through the system more quickly than a resignation or a termination for alleged misconduct. When an employer contests a claim or there's conflicting information about the reason for separation, the claim is flagged for adjudication. That process can delay payments and is often why claimants find themselves needing to call.
Weekly certifications — the ongoing requirement to confirm you're still unemployed, actively looking for work, and available to accept suitable employment — must be submitted regularly to keep benefits flowing. Missing or incorrectly completing a certification can cause a payment interruption, which often requires a phone call to sort out.
Overpayment determinations are another common reason claimants contact the agency by phone. If the state determines you received benefits you weren't entitled to, you'll receive written notice explaining the amount and the reason. These situations have their own appeal rights and repayment processes — phone contact is often the first step in understanding your options.
The telephone number gets you to a representative — but what happens from there depends entirely on the facts of your claim. 🔍
Key variables include:
Maryland's rules governing eligible earnings, weekly benefit amounts, maximum benefit duration, and work search requirements are specific to the state's program and can change. A phone representative can speak to your actual claim details in ways that general information cannot.
The right next step — and what you're actually entitled to — depends on facts only your claim record contains.