494 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [CH. 278

(2) He does not belong to a grade or class of workers of
which, immediately before the commencement of the stoppage,
there were members employed at the premises at which the
stoppage occurs, any of whom are participating in or financ-
ing or directly interested in the dispute; Provided, That if in
any case separate branches of work which are commonly con-
ducted as separate businesses in separate premises are con-
ducted in separate departments of the same premises, each such
department shall, for the purposes of this subsection, be
deemed to be a separate factory, establishment, or other prem-
ises.

(e) For any week with respect to which he is receiving or
has received remuneration in the form of—

(1) Wages in lieu of notice;

(2) Compensation for temporary partial disability under the
Workmen's Compensation Law of any State or under a similar
law of the United States; or

(3) Old-age benefits under Title II of the Social Security
Act, as amended, or similar payments under any Act of Con-
gress; Provided, That if such remuneration is less than the
benefits which would otherwise be due under this Act, he shall
be entitled to receive for such week, if otherwise eligible, bene-
fits reduced by the amount of such remuneration.

(f) For any week with respect to which or a part of which
he has received or is seeking unemployment benefits under an
unemployment compensation law of another State or of the
United States; provided, that if the appropriate agency of such
other State or of the United States finally determines that he
is not entitled to such unemployment benefits, this disqualifica-
tion shall not apply.

Claims for Benefits.

6. (b) Initial Determination. A representative designated
by the Board, and hereinafter referred to as a deputy, shall
promptly examine the claim and, on the basis of the facts
found by him, shall either determine whether or not such claim
is valid, and if valid, the week with respect to which benefits
shall commence, the weekly benefit amount payable and the
maximum duration thereof, or shall refer such claim or any
question involved therein to an appeal tribunal or to the
Board, which shall make its determinations with respect there-
to in accordance with the procedure described in sub-section
(c) of this section, except that in any case in which the pay-
ment or denial of benefits will be determined by the provisions
of Section 5 (d) of this Act, the deputy shall promptly trans-