Workforce Investment Act (WIA) System

Maryland's Dislocated Workers Employment Benefits Guide

 

Download An Employment Benefits Guides for the Dislocated Worker in MSWord format

 
 

Overview

Any individual who loses their job or has received notice that they will lose their job, as part of a plant closure or substantial mass layoff, is considered to be a "dislocated worker". Title I of the Federal Workforce Investment Act (WIA) extends a wide range of services to the dislocated worker. In Maryland, there is an extensive network of service providers in place to assist the dislocated worker during their transition. Maryland's Dislocated Worker Unit works closely with this network which includes the Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation (DLLR) Employment Service local offices and One-Stop offices to facilitate and ensure timely and effective service provision. The WIA Dislocated Worker legislation recommends early intervention on behalf of the worker. In an ideal situation, service provision is initiated before the employee's last day of work. Orientation sessions are held on-site to inform workers of the range of services and where, when and how to access those services. The successful transition usually finds the worker taking prompt advantage of these services, often relying on the unemployment insurance system for financial support while attending training. Federal workers can also receive services at a location near their worksite, prior to displacement, or near their residence, after displacement from this job. Once an individual receives either 180 days notice or a 60-day notice, they can apply for services to assistance in re-employment. The Benefits Guide has been prepared in an attempt to briefly discuss these services and the agencies that provide them.

 

Unemployment Insurance Information

How will receipt of my accrued vacation/severance/bonus payments affect my Unemployment Insurance?
When an individual is laid off because of a job abolishment, permanent layoff and/or facility closure, any accrued vacation, holiday, severance and/or bonus pay may be received at the same time as unemployment insurance benefits. However, severance pay consisting of the same wage amount and benefits package that the individual received while employed is designated a wage continuation and could delay the receipt of unemployment benefits during the severance period.
What if I am getting a pension?
Any pension paid by an employer for whom you worked in your Base Period may be deductible from your benefits. If you receive your pension in a lump sum, it will not affect payment of benefits. However, if you are receiving a monthly pension, a deduction will be made from your weekly benefit amount. The deduction amount is based on the gross amount of the pension and whether or not you contributed to the pension. If the calculated weekly deduction is less than your weekly benefit amount, you may receive benefits at the reduced amount if you are meeting all the requirements of the Law. If the calculated weekly deduction is equal to or more than your weekly benefit amount, you will be disqualified from receipt of benefits.
What if I am working part-time?
If you are working part-time, you may be eligible for partial unemployment insurance benefits. Your gross earnings (before any deductions or taxes) must be less than your weekly benefit amount and you must continue to look for full-time work while you are working part-time. When you phone in your claim certification, you will answer Yes to the question, "Did you work either full or part-time during week 1 or week 2?" Then, you will report your gross earnings (before any deductions or taxes) through yon telephone claim certification covering the week which you worked, regardless of when you are actually paid for the work. Every claimant is allowed by Law to earn up to $70 before earnings are deducted from the weekly benefit amount. For example, if your weekly benefit amount is $215 and you earn $150 at your part-time job, you will receive a benefit check for $135; as illustrated.... (150 - 70 = 80, 215 - 80 = 135). You must have worked all available hours at your part-time job and you must make at least two work search contacts during the week
What if I get another job?
If you get another job, you should report (on your claim certification) that you have begun work and report your gross earnings for the week. If you earn more than your weekly benefit amount, your claim will become inactive and benefit payments will stop. If you accept a temporary job and lose this temporary job through no fault of your own, you may reopen your claim for unemployment insurance. You must report to your local office as soon as possible following your last day of work. Be prepared to provide the name and address of the employer, your first and last day of work, and the reason you are no longer working. If your claim is still in effect (the effective date of your claim is printed on your Determination of Monetary Eligibility) and there is a remaining balance on your claim, you may start receiving benefits again as long as you are meeting all the requirements of the Law. However, if you quit the temporary job or were terminated for misconduct from the temporary job, you may be disqualified from further receipt of benefits.

Other FAQ's about Unemployment Insurance Benefits

Unemployment Insurance Office Telephone Directory

Remember...

At the time of application for Unemployment Insurance, you will need the following information:
  • Original Social Security Card
  • Notice of Separation (if Available)
  • Social Security Card or Birth Certificate or Baptismal Certificate for any Dependent Child, Stepchild or Adopted Child Under 16 Years of Age.
  • Any Part-Time or Full-Time Employment (During the Last 6 months)...For Any Out Of State Employment (During the Last 18 months)
  • Employer Name
  • Employer Address
  • Employer Phone
  • First Day of Work
  • Reason For Leaving
  • Recently Separated Veterans (Within Last 18 Months)...DD214 Copy 4 Recent Federal Employees (Within Last 18 Months)...
  • Form 50 and/or Form 8
  • Aliens Must Present Proper INS Documentation
 
Maryland Job Service

The Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation has a network of offices providing a wide array of Job Seeker and Employer Services such as, Job Placement, Job Skills Workshops, Training Referral through Local Area Offices and a wide range of self-service resources within the WIA One Stop System.

To gain more information of Job Service Programs click here.

For Job Service Office locations click here.

 
Workforce Investment Act One Stop Center Locations

For locations through the State of Maryland click here.

 

Dislocated Worker Contacts Outside of Maryland

Workers displaced from work with a Maryland employer qualify for services in Maryland. In addition, should they reside outside Maryland, they may qualify for similar services in their state of residence. The following offices may be contacted for additional information:

Delaware Department of Labor (302) 761-8117

District of Columbia Dislocated Worker Unit (202) 673-4436

Pennsylvania Dislocated Worker Unit (717) 787-1745

Virginia Employment Commission (703) 803-0022

West Virginia Dislocated Worker Unit (304) 348-5920
Other States
 
 

Return to the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Systems home page
Return to the Division of Workforce Development home page

Please direct any questions about the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Systems to dllrwia@dllr.state.md.us.
Questions or comments regarding the DLLR website may be directed to webmaster@dllr.state.md.us.

Updated March 9, 2007