If you're looking for the main unemployment phone number in Maryland, it belongs to the Maryland Division of Unemployment Insurance (DUI), which operates under the Department of Labor. The primary claimant contact number is 667-207-6520.
That number connects you to the agency's claims center, where representatives handle questions about filing, weekly certifications, payment status, eligibility determinations, and other claim-related issues.
Most people call the DUI line because they need help with something they can't resolve online. Common reasons include:
Maryland also uses an automated phone system for some functions, including weekly certifications by phone. That line has historically operated separately from the live-agent number. Check the official Maryland Department of Labor website for the most current numbers, since contact information and hours can change.
Maryland processes unemployment claims through its online system called BEACON (Benefits, Eligibility, Appeals, Claims, and Notifications). Most actions — filing weekly certifications, uploading documents, checking payment history, and submitting appeals — can be completed entirely through BEACON.
Calling makes more sense when:
For routine certifications and payment checks, BEACON is generally faster than waiting on hold.
Maryland's unemployment insurance program follows the same federal framework as all state programs — funded by employer payroll taxes, administered at the state level, and governed by both federal guidelines and Maryland-specific rules.
Eligibility in Maryland generally depends on three things:
Weekly benefit amounts in Maryland are calculated as a percentage of your earnings during the highest quarter of your base period, subject to a maximum weekly benefit set by state law. That maximum changes periodically, so the figure in effect when you file may differ from what was in place a year ago.
Maryland's maximum duration for regular state benefits is 26 weeks, though the number of weeks you're actually eligible for depends on your wage history and benefit amount.
Reaching a live agent doesn't automatically resolve a claim issue. Some situations require adjudication — a formal review process in which the agency investigates a question about your eligibility before making a determination. During adjudication, payments may be on hold.
If you receive a determination you disagree with, Maryland provides an appeals process. You can request a hearing before a hearing examiner, typically within a set number of days from the date on your determination letter. Appeals are handled through BEACON or by following the instructions in the letter itself.
Maryland's DUI line — like most state unemployment agencies — experiences significant fluctuations in call volume. Wait times tend to be longest:
If you can't get through, the BEACON system is the most consistent alternative for routine actions. For issues that genuinely require a human agent, calling mid-week or later in the day tends to yield shorter waits — though this varies.
Beyond the main claimant number, Maryland maintains separate lines and resources for specific situations:
| Contact Type | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Employer line | Employers responding to claims or filing wage records |
| Appeals office | Scheduling or checking on a scheduled hearing |
| Fraud hotline | Reporting suspected unemployment fraud |
| TTY/relay service | Accessibility accommodations for hearing-impaired callers |
Current numbers for each of these are available on the official Maryland Department of Labor website. Phone numbers and hours of operation are updated periodically, and what appears on a third-party site may not reflect the most current information.
How your call resolves — and how quickly — depends on what kind of issue you're dealing with. A straightforward payment question looks very different from a claim that's been flagged for adjudication because of a contested separation. An employer who's disputed your eligibility adds another layer. Whether you're in an appeal changes what the agency can discuss with you at all.
The phone number gets you to the right place. What happens from there depends on the specifics of your claim, your work history, and where your case currently stands in Maryland's system.