Maryland Unemployment Debit Card Guide

If you have a Maryland Unemployment Debit Card (Bank of America Maryland UI Benefit Card) and have questions about your card, you’ve come to the right place.

In this detailed guide, we will tell you everything you need to know about your Maryland UI debit card, including what to do if you have not received a card, lost card replacement, how to log in online to check your balance, how to speak to a live person at customer service, and much more.

This post will cover:

What is the Maryland Unemployment Debit Card?
Benefits of Maryland Unemployment Debit Card
How the Unemployment Debit Card Works
Activate your Unemployment Debit Card
Maryland Unemployment Debit Card Login
How Do I check my Maryland Unemployment Debit Card Balance?
Unemployment Debit Card Customer Service Phone Number
Maryland Unemployment Debit Card FAQs

What is the Maryland Unemployment Debit Card?

The Maryland Unemployment Insurance Benefits Debit Card is used by the Maryland Department of Labor (DLLR) to pay unemployment benefits.

It is a Visa debit card and issued by Bank of America.

If you are approved for Unemployment Insurance benefits in Maryland, your benefit payments are applied to this debit card issued to you through the Bank of America.

You do not need to have a bank account to get and use the Debit Card.

Purchases and withdrawals are limited to the balance on your card.

You can then use the Debit Card to make purchases or withdrawals until the funds are exhausted.

The Debit Card is valid for three (3) years.

Benefits of Maryland Unemployment Debit Card

There are several benefits to receiving your Maryland Unemployment benefits via the Bank of America issued debit card, versus via a check in the mail.

Here are the key benefits of the Maryland Unemployment Insurance Benefits Debit Card and why it is a great alternative to paper checks:

Benefits of the card include:

No more check-cashing fees
Use everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted – in-stores, online, or by phone
Get access to cash at point of sale (from a retail merchant that accepts debit cards) terminals, ATMs, and at Visa banks and credit unions
Use your cards to pay bills in person or online
Improves control over money – take only what you need, when you need it
Account information and customer service – available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
You can transfer funds from your debit card to your own bank account.
Also, you can take the debit card to any Visa bank nationwide to make a cash withdrawal.

How the Maryland Unemployment Debit Card Works

Here’s how the cards will work:

Once you are approved for Maryland Unemployment benefits and begin to receive your payments on the Debit Card, Bank of America will create a card in your name.

After your first unemployment insurance payment is authorized, Bank of America will mail the debit card to you via the United States Postal Service (USPS).

You should receive it the card within 7-10 days.

Whenever you are due to receive your Maryland Unemployment benefit payment, funds will be sent by Electronic Funds Transfer to your Debit Card.

It is important to note that the Maryland Unemployment debit card is NOT a credit card.

Therefore if you try to use your card for purchases that exceed your balance, your transaction may be declined.

How long Does it take to get the Maryland Unemployment Debit Card in the Mail?

If your Unemployment Insurance benefit payments are approved, you will first receive a notice entitled “Notice of First Benefit Payment Approval and Mailing of Your Bank of America Debit Card.”

You should receive your debit card within 10 days business days after that. Your Debit Card will:

Arrive in a white envelope with the State of Maryland logo and a Tennessee return address in the upper left-hand corner.

The card will be mailed to the address you provided to the DLLR when you applied for unemployment benefits.

The card will not be forwarded by the post office. If you have moved, you need to call the DLLR and change your address to have a new card mailed to your new address.

How to Activate the Maryland Unemployment Debit Card

If you have received the Maryland Unemployment Insurance debit card in the mail, here’s how to activate your card:

Option 1: Activate your card Online.

You can activate your debit card online on the Bank of America Maryland Unemployment Benefit debit card website.

Click here to be taken there.

Once there, click on “Activate My Card” as shown in the image below.

Next, you will be asked to enter your debit card number, as shown in the image below.

Once you have entered your debit card number, click “Continue” and follow the instructions to activate your card.

For security reasons you will need:

the 16-digit number that appears on the face of the card
the 3-digit card security number that appears on the back of the card
the last four digits of your social security number.

During the activation process, you will be asked to create a personal identification number (PIN).

The PIN can be used to make ATM withdrawals and PIN purchases

Once the card is activated, you will be given the account balance and may begin using it immediately.

Option 2: Activate your card by Phone

You can activate online or by calling 1.855.847.2029 toll-free.

Maryland Unemployment Debit Card Login

If you are trying to log in to your debit card, here’s a step by step process on how to do so.

Once you are logged in, you can check your card balance, view pending deposits or transactions, or file get information to file a complaint.

Maryland Unemployment Debit Card Login Guide

To login to the Bank of America online portal, follow the instructions below.

Step 1 – Visit Bank of America Debit Card Website

The first step to logging into your debit card online account is to visit the Bank of America website. Click here to be taken there.

Once on the site, click “Sign In” as shown below.

Step 2 – Enter Your Username

Next, you will be asked to enter your username as shown below.

This is the username you created when you first set up your account online.

If you entered the correct username, you will be asked for a password.

Once you enter the correct password, you will be taken to your account.

Forgot Username?

If you do not remember your Username, click on the “Need Username?” or “Forgot Username” link as shown below.

Then follow the instructions to retrieve your username.

You will need your card number and the email address on file to successfully retrieve your username.

How Do I check my Maryland Unemployment Debit Card Balance?

If you are trying to check the balance on your Bank of America debit card, we can help.

Option 1: Log Into Your Account

The first option to checking the balance on your debit card is to log into your account.

Click here to be taken there.

Once there, select sign in to your account by clicking the “Sign in” link.

Next, follow the instructions to enter your Username and password

If you do not remember your Username, click on the “Need Username?” or “Forgot Username” link as shown below.

Then follow the instructions to retrieve your username.

You will need your card number and the email address on file to successfully retrieve your username.

Option 2: Log Into Your Account

You can also check the balance on your cards and review all your account transaction activity by calling the Customer Service number at 1.855.847.2029.

There is no fee for online and telephone balance inquiries.
Sign up for free balance alerts (mobile text message and e-mail) by logging in to your account.

Option 3: Via an ATM

Finally, you can also check your card balance at an ATM.

There is no fee for balance inquiries made at a Bank of America in-network ATM.

To find a Bank of America in-network ATM, click here.

For inquiries made at ATMs other than Bank of America in-network ATMs, the owner of the ATM may charge a fee. Bank of America won’t charge a fee.

Maryland Unemployment Debit Card Customer Service Phone Number

If you have questions about the Bank of America debit card, you can call the Bank of America Customer Service Center toll-free at the number below:

Phone (toll free): 1.855.847.2029
TTY (toll free): 1.866.656.5913
Outside U.S. (collect): 423.262.1650

Call immediately if your card is lost or stolen

Customer service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Maryland Unemployment Debit Card FAQs

Here are the most frequently asked questions about the Maryland Unemployment Debit Card:

I have received notification that funds are available, but I have not received my debit card. What should I do?

If this is your first time receiving unemployment insurance benefits, please allow 7-10 business days from the benefit notification date for the debit card to arrive in the mail.

If you have received benefits within the past three years, benefits will be loaded onto your old card.

Why have I not received my Maryland Unemployment debit card? What is my card status?

I have waited more than 10 business days and have still not received by debit card. When will I receive my unemployment debit card?

You will not receive a Bank of America debit card in the mail if:

you are determined to be ineligible for benefits,
have requested to receive benefit payments through paper checks, or
have already received a debit card from the State of Maryland that is less than three years old.

I have received unemployment insurance benefits from the State of Maryland within the past three years. Will I get a new card in the mail?

If you have received unemployment insurance benefits in Maryland within the past three years, your new unemployment insurance benefit payments will be loaded onto your old card.

Debit cards issued by Bank of America for benefit payments are valid for three years.

I can’t find my old debit card. How do I order a replacement?

You will need to request a replacement card online through the new Replace My Card tab on the bank’s website.

Click here to be taken to the Bank of America Maryland UI website.

Please allow 7-10 business days after the order date for the card to arrive in the mail.

If you make another request for a new card while the first card is still in transit, the second request will permanently block the first card.

Can I add Money to my Unemployment Debit Card?

No. You cannot make any additional deposits to the debit card account.

Only unemployment insurance payments made by the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation (DLLR) can fund the card.

Do I have to receive my Maryland Unemployment benefits on the debit card?

No, you do not have to receive your payments on a debit card.

You have the option to choose to receive your Maryland Unemployment benefit payments through a paper check.

The check will be mailed to your address on file via the United States Postal Service.

If you choose to receive your benefit payments by paper check, please call one of the following numbers: 1-877-293-4125, or 711 ( Maryland Relay for hearing impaired)

I did not receive my Maryland Unemployment Benefits, what should I do?

If you have questions concerning your Maryland unemployment insurance benefits including, missed or incorrect payments, please contact DLLR.

Here’s how to contact the DLLR:

Option 1: Online

Contact the DLLR online at www.mdunemployment.com.

Option 2 – By Phone

You can also call the DLLR at 410-949-0022 From Baltimore Area and Out-of-State

1-800-827-4839 Toll-Free Outside Baltimore (but within Maryland)

For The Hearing Impaired: Contact Maryland Relay.

If I receive a debit card, does that mean that I am approved for Maryland unemployment insurance benefits?

Receipt of the card means that your initial payments are available, but it does not mean that you will automatically be eligible to continue to receive UI benefits.

However, if you continue to:

file timely weekly claims certifications
and continue to meet all of the eligibility requirements per Maryland Unemployment Insurance Law,

Then all future benefits will be paid through the same debit card that you originally received.

Can I change my Debit Card Address with Bank of America?

No. Your address cannot be changed via the Bank of America website nor by Bank of America customer service.

Please contact the Maryland Department of Labor’s Division of Unemployment Insurance to update your address.

How do I Transfer Funds from the Debit Card to my Personal Bank Account?

Here’s how to transfer funds from your card account to a traditional checking or savings account.

First, sign on to the website and select the “Transfer Funds” option from the Account Summary page.

Next, you will need to register a “transfer-to” account prior to performing your first transfer.

Once your “transfer to” account is authenticated (this can take up to 5 business days), your transfer will be made.

After you have transferred funds online, it can take up to 2 business days to receive your funds in your account, and the transfer cannot be canceled once entered.

If your account is a Bank of America account, the funds could be available the next business day, if not sooner.

A minimum value of $20.00 may be transferred.

Note that you can only transfer funds to a traditional checking or savings account owned by you at any U.S. financial institution

Transfers Cannot Be Reversed

Once funds are transferred to your checking or savings account, you will not be able to have the funds returned to you.

Therefore, it is important to make sure the routing number or account number you provide for your checking or savings account is correct.

What’s the Website for Maryland Unemployment Debit Card?

If you are trying to login to your Bank of America Maryland Unemployment Benefits Visa debit card, click here to be taken there.

Maryland Unemployment Debit Card Replacement

If your debit card is lost or stolen, the Bank of America “Zero Liability” Policy protects you against fraudulent transactions (subject to certain conditions).

Contact the Debit Card Customer Service Center at 1.855.847.2029 to report your card lost or stolen and to request a replacement card.

If the card has been used, the bank will issue the replacement card in the amount of the remaining balance.

If the post office is unable to deliver a Debit Card, it will be returned to the bank.

Contact the Debit Card Customer Service Center at 1.855.847.2029 for help on how to update your address to have a new card mailed to you.

You will be charged a $3 fee after 1 free replacement card each year

Can I get Tracking for my Replacement Card?

There is no tracking information for the debit card mailed through the post office.

However, you can pay $10 to have your card mailed by express delivery with tracking.

You will have to contact customer service for an update on tracking information.

What are the fees associated with the Maryland Bank of America Debit Card?

Bank Fees for Maryland Unemployment Benefits Debit Card transactions
will be charged to your Account as they occur on a daily basis.

Here is the list of all fees for the Maryland Unemployment Benefits Debit Card

All fees	Amount	Details
Per purchase with PIN	$0
Per purchase with signature	$0
Get cash in the U.S.
ATM withdrawal, in-network	$0	“In Network” refers to Bank of America ATMs. Locations can be found at www.bankofamerica.com/mduidebitcard . You will not be charged a fee by Bank of America.
ATM withdrawal, out-of-network	$1.25	You will be charged this fee after 6 free each month. “Out of Network” refers to all the ATMs outside of Bank of America ATMs. You may also be charged a fee by the ATM operator even if you do not complete a transaction.*
Bank teller cash withdrawal	$0	Available at financial institutions that accept Visa cards. Limited to available balance only.
Emergency cash transfer, domestic	$15.00	All emergency cash transfers must be initiated through the Prepaid Debit Card Customer Service Center.
Information
Customer service	$0
Online account information	$0
Account alert service	$0
ATM balance inquiry	$0
Using your card outside the U.S.
Each international transaction	1.50%	Of total U.S. Dollar amount of transaction
International ATM withdrawal	$1.50	This is our fee. You may also be charged a fee by the ATM operator even if you do not complete a transaction.
Other
Online funds transfer	$0
Replacement card, domestic	$3.00	You will be charged this fee after 1 free each year.
Replacement card, express delivery	$10.00	Additional charge per request
Replacement card, international	$10.00	Additional charge per request
Inactive Account	$0

When are Unemployment Benefits paid in Maryland?

What time does MD unemployment get deposited? Does Maryland unemployment pay weekly? What day of the week do I claim my unemployment benefits?

If eligible, your Maryland Unemployment payment should be available for your use by 5:00 p.m. EST the next business day after the payment is issued.

Maryland Unemployment Phone Number

If you have questions about your Maryland Unemployment benefits, call the Maryland Department of Labor (DLLR) at the number below:

For questions concerning unemployment insurance eligibility, please contact DLLR online at www.mdunemployment.com or by calling:

410-949-0022 From Baltimore Area and Out-of-State