Federal Program – Small Business Administration

Disaster Loan Assistance
Federal Disaster Loans for Businesses, Private Nonprofits, Homeowners, and Renters. SBA disaster loans can be used to repair or replace the following items damaged or destroyed in a declared disaster: real estate, personal property, machinery and equipment, and inventory and business assets.

State Programs

FAQs for Maryland Businesses Planning and Responding to the Coronavirus

Maryland Business Express
Get information on the Coronavirus as it relates to business in Maryland.

Maryland Small Business COVID-19 Emergency Relief Loan Fund
This COVID-19 Emergency Relief $75M Loan Fund offers working capital to assist Maryland for-profit small businesses disrupted operations due to COVID-19. Low interest loans up to 50k.

Small Business COVID-19 Emergency Grant Relief Fund
This COVID-19 Emergency Relief $50M Grant Fund offers working capital to assist Maryland small businesses and nonprofits with disrupted operations due to COVID-19. Grants up to 10k.

Small Business Development Center – Since 1988, the seasoned staff of the Maryland Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network has provided sound advice, consulting and support to entrepreneurs and small businesses across the state.

Maryland 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 health-care workers across the country.

Unemployment Services and Resources in Maryland

To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, many businesses have shut down operations, resulting in mass lay-offs. The Library has collected the following resources to help displaced workers apply for Unemployment Insurance and other benefits.

Unemployment Insurance For Individuals

If your employer shuts down operations, lays off employees, or reduces hours due to COVID-19, you may be eligible for unemployment benefits.

Unemployment insurance is for individuals who are unemployed or working reduced hours due to no fault of their own; however, you must file a claim to confirm eligibility for benefits.

Learn more about unemployment insurance in Maryland with the following links from the Maryland Department of Labor.

Maintaining Benefits

You must register with Maryland Workforce Exchange and upload or create a current resume to maintain eligibility for benefits. For help writing a resume or cover letter you can find resources and get feedback through HelpNow, an online service powered by Brainfuse.

You must make a minimum of three valid job contacts per week (including during the COVID-19 outbreak) and submit weekly claims to maintain unemployment insurance benefits. Learn more about Maryland Workforce Exchange and entering Work Search Contacts on the Maryland Department of Labor’s website.

File a Claim Online

You can file for unemployment benefits through Maryland’s Unemployment Insurance Initial Claim System using a Maryland’s BEACON Unemployment Insurance Application. To be eligible for benefits, you must make a minimum of three (3) valid job contacts per week, unless you are exempt from work search.

You can contact a Claim Center from 7:30 am – 3:30 pm by calling 410-949-0022. Please note The Division of Unemployment Insurance is experiencing a high volume of calls resulting in longer than usual wait times. To report problems placing a call or accessing the website, email ui.inquiry@maryland.gov.

Searching for Work

Many companies are still hiring at this time.

Browse recent job postings from local employers.
For resources to assist in your job search see the Job Search Help page.

Resume & Career Help Online

If you have questions about your resume, cover letter, or job search resources please use Help Now by Brainfuse.

Brainfuse Adult Learning Center

Find resources and get feedback on your resume or cover letter through HelpNow, an online service powered by Brainfuse. You must have a library card to use this service. If you don’t have a library card you can get a 180 day digital library card .

Other Benefits & Services

There are multiple agencies and websites to help you identify which government benefits you may be eligible for, and how to apply for them.

Maryland Department of Human Resources

Search for and apply for benefits on myDHR. Benefits available through DHR include:

Food Supplement Program (FS)/Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)(formerly called Food Stamps)
Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA)/Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)
Note: As of March 16, 2020, TCA applicants and recipients impacted by COVID-19 may be provided with good cause for not completing assigned work requirements. This is effective as long as the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) directs Maryland schools to be closed unless otherwise stated.

2-1-1 Maryland

Call 2-1-1, text your zip code to 898-211, or visit 211md.org to get connected with health and human services across Maryland, including:

Federal Agencies

Find information and eligibility requirements for government benefits and services through benefits.gov, the official benefits website of the U.S. Government. This online resource is managed by the U.S. Department of Labor with collaboration from multiple partner agencies.

Find benefit information and resources for:

Get Additional Help from a Librarian

Email us
Call us at 410-535-0291