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 Weekly Certification.

Unemployment insurance claimants must actively search for work to maintain their eligibility for benefits.

If you have an Action Item to file a Weekly Certification, please complete it if you wish to collect UI benefits for the week in question. If you have a Reopen Claim link in the left hand margin, please select it to reopen your claim if you are unemployed. Once you have completed the additional questions, you will be able to file a Weekly Certification, if eligible.

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.

Important Information: You also may apply for UI benefits or file Weekly Certifications by phone by calling a claims agent at 667-207-6520. For agent hours, see the Claimant Contact Information webpage. You may also file a Weekly Certification by calling the automated phone system, available 24/7. Contact 410-949-0022 (if calling from the Baltimore area or out-of-state) or 800-827-4839 (if calling from Maryland, but outside of the Baltimore area).

• If you are unable to submit supporting documents/forms electronically, please call a claims agent for information about submitting paper documents.