Maryland Statutes
Subtitle 9 - Eligibility for Benefits
Section 8-903 - Ability to Work, Availability for Work, and Actively Seeking Work

(a)    (1)    Except as otherwise provided in this section, to be eligible for benefits an individual shall be:
            (i)    able to work;
            (ii)    available for work; and
            (iii)    actively seeking work.
        (2)    In determining whether an individual actively is seeking work, the Secretary shall consider:
            (i)    whether the individual has made an effort that is reasonable and that would be expected of an unemployed individual who honestly is looking for work; and
            (ii)    the extent of the effort in relation to the labor market conditions in the area in which the individual is seeking work.
        (3)    A part–time worker may not be determined to be ineligible for the receipt of benefits for a week in which the part–time worker is available for and seeking only part–time work if the part–time worker:
            (i)    is actively seeking part–time work; and
            (ii)    is in a labor market in which a reasonable demand exists for part–time work.
        (4)    For the purposes of paragraph (3) of this subsection, an individual is seeking only part–time work if the individual is able to work:
            (i)    hours that are comparable to the individual’s work at the time of the most recent separation from part–time employment; and
            (ii)    at least 20 hours per week.
    (b)    The Secretary may not use the disability of a qualified individual with a disability as a factor in finding that an individual is not able to work, available for work, or actively seeking work under subsection (a)(1) or (3) of this section.
    (c)    Notwithstanding any other provision of this section or § 8–904 or § 8–907(a) of this subtitle, an individual who otherwise is eligible to receive benefits and who is in training with the approval of the Secretary may not be denied benefits:
        (1)    for failure to meet the requirements of subsection (a)(1)(ii) and (iii) of this section to be available for work and actively seeking work; or
        (2)    for failure to apply for or refusal to accept suitable work under § 8–1005 of this title.
    (d)    Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, an individual who is a civilian employee of the federal government is eligible to receive unemployment benefits if the employee:
        (1)    is required to report to work at a work site located in the State; and
        (2)    is not being paid because the federal government is in a full or partial shutdown due to a lapse in appropriations.