The Maryland Department of Labor saw more than 108,000 unemployment insurance claims over the past week, and 240,000 in the past month. That’s more than the number of claims filed total in 2019, Gov. Larry Hogan said at a press conference Friday.
“These are not just numbers. Each one of these represents a struggling Marylander,” he said.
The state plans to start a new Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation program, or a “600+ Program,” by the end of next week, said state Department of Labor Secretary Tiffany Robinson.
Under the program, everyone eligible for unemployment benefits ending the week of April 4 will get an extra $600 every week on top of their current benefits. They will get the extra money on the day they usually get their benefits.
A new ‘600+ program’: Everyone eligible for unemployment benefits ending the week of April 4 will get an extra $600 every week on top of current benefits.
— Maryam Shahzad (@maryam_mcm) April 10, 2020
Hogan announced that a state budget and hiring freeze is in place effective immediately. He said state spending across all Maryland government agencies must stop, except for COVID-19 spending and payroll for employees.
“Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot announced this morning that the state of Maryland is projecting a potential revenue loss of up to $2.8 billion for the fiscal year 2020,” Hogan said.
Hogan announces a budget freeze on all state spending across all state government agencies except COVID-19 expenses and payroll for employees. @mymcmedia
— Maryam Shahzad (@maryam_mcm) April 10, 2020
