Find Help Fast: Relief Wizard

The Maryland Business Relief Wizard is a free tool—built for Maryland businesses, by Maryland businesses—that helps them connect with resources relevant to their organization and programming for which they’re eligible, streamlining the process of finding support.

Emergency Relief Funds for Businesses—The CARES Act

The Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act provides economic assistance for American workers, families and small businesses. With an additional $310 billion being reallocated to the SBA Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and $60 billion to the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (EIDL), now is your chance to be approved if you missed the first round. Lasting less than 14 days, over 26,000 small businesses in the State of Maryland were approved for $6.5 billion in loans.

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)—The PPP is a provision of the CARES Act that helps small businesses keep workers employed amid the pandemic and economic downturn. The program provides forgivable loans to nonprofits, sole proprietors and small businesses with fewer than 500 employees. Applicants can use the loan to cover payroll, benefits, rent or mortgage, and debt. For a list of FAQs and tips on applying, review the PPP loan guide to help you maximize your chances for success in the second round of PPP loans. Applicants need to apply for the PPP through an SBA lender. For small businesses looking for a lender, review this list of local banks and credit unions (PDF) or .

SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)—This low-interest Federal Disaster Loan provides loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury due to COVID-19. These loans were created to alleviate financial strain and allow small businesses to pay bills, payroll and accounts payable, with long-term payments stretching up to 30 years. Small businesses, private nonprofit organizations or sole proprietors can apply for the program. Applicants are also eligible for an immediate cash advance of up to $10,000.

For SBA loan questions, email mdsbaloanquestions@sba.gov.

Find additional IRS guidance on coronavirus tax relief, learn more about tax credits for businesses providing paid sick leave, or review the CARES Act Q&A document (PDF).

Tourism

Baltimore County is working to assess the critical needs in the Tourism and Arts and Sciences sectors.

Apply for Essential Business Status

The State will collect information from businesses that deem their services essential. Complete the Essential Status Request form to apply if you would like to be included. Only requests that are submitted through this form will be reviewed.

Ways Your Business Can Help

The Baltimore County COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund will support the County’s efforts to promote public health and support residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Individuals, foundations and private sector donors can contribute to the fund in order to assist the County’s efforts to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

If your company has resources and capabilities that the State may need to assist in COVID-19 efforts, specifically the needs of the health care industry, email Resource.MEMA@Maryland.gov.

Health professionals wishing to volunteer their services can register for Maryland Responds. Learn more about other opportunities to help your fellow Marylanders on the Maryland Unites web page.

Maryland COVID-19 Emergency Relief Manufacturing Fund

Maryland's COVID-19 Emergency Relief Manufacturing Fund—This $5 million incentive program helps Maryland manufacturers to produce personal protective equipment (PPE) that is urgently needed by hospitals and healthcare workers across the country.

Small Business Reserve Program

Through the Small Business Reserve (SBR) program, certified small businesses have access to over $400 million in prime contracting opportunities on state-funded contracts. Once certified, firms must recertify annually. If your business is not in the program or needs to recertify, complete the SBR certification process immediately. Read more in the reference guide (PDF).

MARBIDCO Pandemic Adjustment Loan Fund

The Maryland Agricultural and Resource-Based Industry Development Corporation (MARBIDCO) established the Pandemic Adjustment Loan Fund program to help Maryland’s food and fiber producers, harvesters and primary processors adjust to business disruptions caused by the pandemic. The program offers low-cost loans with flexible terms for working capital or equipment purchases. The maximum individual loan amount is $10,000 and no collateral security is required. Loan applications must be submitted by May 31. Call 410-267-6807 to learn more.

Tax Assistance

The Comptroller of Maryland has extended business tax filing deadlines to June 1 for some businesses with March, April and May due dates. Find more information online or by emailing taxpayerrelief@maryland.gov.

Transit and Transportation of Goods

The Governor announced significant restrictions related to MARC train, local and commuter bus, and light rail services in order to slow the spread of the virus. Visit the Maryland Transit Administration for updated information.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has issued a national emergency declaration to provide hours-of-service regulatory relief to commercial vehicle drivers transporting emergency relief in response to COVID-19.

Apply for Unemployment Insurance

Note: The County’s staff cannot advise or assist in the Unemployment Insurance (UI) filing process or answer specific UI-related questions or concerns. The Maryland Department of Labor is the only organization that can handle UI applications, eligibility determination, or answer calls and questions regarding UI.

No matter when or how you file, you become eligible for benefits that day, after you separate from employment. If you are eligible, you will be paid for all benefits due.

Everyone eligible for benefits ending the week of April 4 will begin receiving an additional $600 per week as part of the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) program. Effective January 27 through December 31, 2020, individuals who are not usually eligible for regular UI and who cannot work due to COVID-19 are eligible for a maximum of 39 weeks of benefits, which includes the $600 FPUC.

Who Should Not Apply

The State's system isn't currently set up to process applications from the following individuals, as they were formerly considered ineligible, and will be denied. Please do not yet submit an application if you are:

• Self-employed
• An independent contractor
• A gig worker
• Have insufficient work history

How to Apply

Apply online or by calling 410-949-0022 (within the Baltimore Metro area and out-of-state) or 800-827-4839 (from within Maryland), 7 a.m. through 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, and from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays.

After Applying

If you have applied for unemployment benefits but still have questions regarding application errors, denial, approval, or if you received an approval letter but have not yet received any funds, visit the Employer and Claimant Information page or read the FAQ.

Learn how to file the required weekly claim certifications or read the FAQ if you have questions about the process.

Visit the Maryland Workforce Exchange website to create or manage your account.

Unemployment Assistance and Compensation

The Maryland Department of Labor launched a new, one-stop unemployment insurance application and has implemented the two remaining CARES Act programs, the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program and the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program. New claimants and those who are already receiving benefits can automatically receive an additional 13 weeks of benefits under the CARES Act. Current eligible claimants do not need to take any additional steps to receive these extended benefits. Maryland will directly contact residents who have recently exhausted their benefits, so they can also use this new online application to reapply and receive the additional 13 weeks they are entitled to.

How to Apply

Complete the online, one-stop application. To learn more about the application process, visit the Unemployment Insurance website.

Eligibility

The following individuals will now be able to submit their PUA applications online and receive benefits retroactive to their earliest date of eligibility:

• Self-employed
• Independent contractors
• Gig economy workers
• Those who have insufficient work history
• Those who have exhausted their benefits since July 1, 2019

The following individuals, who were previously required to file by phone, can now file for PEUC online:

• Federal employees
• Members of the military
• Those who have worked in multiple states
• Those who have worked for more than three employers in the last 18 months 

Other Unemployment Resources

Learn more about the food programs and financial relief resources available through both the County and State.

Job Search Assistance

Our Department can help find your next job opportunity, update your resume or master your next interview.

• Learn about and view our Virtual Career Development workshops.
• View our online Job Board to search for job openings throughout the Baltimore-Metropolitan region.
• Visit our Department's Facebook page for the latest employment opportunities.
• For more employment support resources or assistance, email talentworks@baltimorecountymd.gov.

One-on-One Career Consultation

Our walk-in Career Centers are currently closed due to the pandemic, however workers who have been laid off can schedule a telephone meeting with a Career Consultant by calling 410-887-8000 and leaving a message, or by email talentworks@baltimorecountymd.gov. We will contact you to set up the next available appointment.

Find Legal Assistance

Maryland Legal Aid—Those in need of legal assistance can apply for services online, by telephone, or by exploring their online self-help resources.