Welcome to the Maryland Division of Unemployment Insurance BEACON System. Using BEACON, you will be able to file a claim for unemployment insurance (UI) benefits. You can also use BEACON to request your benefit payments each week by filing a claim certification.

On Sunday, July 4, 2021, the Maryland Division of Unemployment Insurance (DUI) reinstated a requirement that regular unemployment insurance claimants must actively search for work to maintain their eligibility for unemployment insurance (UI) benefits.

If you have an Action Item to file a weekly claim certification, please complete it. If you have a Reopen Claim link in the left hand margin, please select it to reopen your claim. Once you have completed the additional questions, you will be able to file a claim certification, if eligible.

NOTE: Every few months, certain claimants will need to reapply for UI benefits per federal requirements. This may happen if you are receiving benefits and have earned wages in either of the last two quarters. This is due to the Quarter Change. You will also need to reapply when your benefit year expires. Your benefit year is the 52-week period starting on the effective date of your regular UI claim.

Even if your account is active and you have a balance, if you have an “Apply for Benefits” button, then you need to reapply for benefits to be able to file your weekly certification.

If you wish to reapply for benefits, you should access your BEACON portal from an internet browser, click on the “Apply for Benefits” link on your home page, and follow the steps. You cannot complete this process from the MD Unemployment for Claimants Mobile App.