State Unemployment Benefits in Maryland
The Maryland Department of Labor administers unemployment insurance through the BEACON portal. Maryland publishes no procedure for paying a deceased claimant's remaining benefits to an estate, and its unemployment law contains no provision for it. An estate representative should report the death to the Division and ask how the claim will be closed out.
Administering agency
Maryland Department of Labor — Division of Unemployment Insurance
Authority
Md. Code, Labor & Employment 8-903; 8-809
State Unemployment Benefits in Maryland: key facts
- Administering agency
- Maryland Department of Labor, Division of Unemployment Insurance.
- Claimant portal
- BEACON — beacon.labor.maryland.gov
- Phone
- Claims agent 667-207-6520 (Mon–Fri, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.); automated system 410-949-0022 (Baltimore area or out of state) or 800-827-4839 (Maryland outside Baltimore).
- Why payments stop
- Maryland pays benefits only for weeks in which the claimant is able to work, available for work, and actively seeking work (Md. Code, Labor & Employment 8-903). Those conditions cannot be met after death, and no one else may file the weekly certification.
- Benefits paid in error
- The Secretary may recover benefits paid to a claimant who was not entitled to them (Md. Code, Labor & Employment 8-809). Report the death promptly so no benefit is issued for a week the claimant was not eligible for.
- Final payment for weeks before death
- Maryland does not publish a rule on whether benefits certified for weeks before the death can still be paid, or to whom. Contact the Division at 667-207-6520 for a determination on the specific claim.
Governing law: Md. Code, Labor & Employment 8-903; 8-809
Steps to take when someone dies
- Report the claimant's death to the Maryland Division of Unemployment Insurance at 667-207-6520 so that no further weekly benefit is issued.
- Ask the Division how it will close out the claim, and whether anything is payable for weeks the claimant certified before the death.
- If a benefit was issued for a week after the date of death, ask the Division for written instructions — it may recover benefits a claimant was not entitled to under Md. Code, Labor & Employment 8-809.
Maryland Department of Labor — Division of Unemployment Insurance
Phone: 667-207-6520
Visit the agency website →Frequently asked questions
The Maryland Department of Labor administers unemployment insurance through its Division of Unemployment Insurance and the BEACON claimant portal at beacon.labor.maryland.gov. Claims agents are reachable at 667-207-6520, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Maryland's unemployment law contains no provision for paying a deceased claimant's benefits to an estate, and the Division of Unemployment Insurance publishes no deceased-claimant procedure. Benefits stop because eligibility requires the claimant to be able to work, available for work, and actively seeking work (Md. Code, Labor & Employment 8-903), and no one may certify weekly on a deceased person's behalf. Report the death to the Division at 667-207-6520 and ask how the claim will be closed out.
Maryland publishes no rule specific to this situation. Under Md. Code, Labor & Employment 8-809, the Secretary may recover benefits paid to a claimant who was not entitled to them. Report the death to the Division and follow the written instructions it gives for the specific claim.
Sources
Data sourced from State Unemployment Benefits in Maryland primary sources (4 pages reviewed). How we research.
Administering agency
Maryland Department of Labor — Division of Unemployment Insurance
Authority
Md. Code, Labor & Employment 8-903; 8-809