Learn About Filing For Unemployment In South Carolina

Understanding South Carolina Unemployment Insurance Basics

South Carolina's unemployment insurance program provides temporary income support to workers who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own. The South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce (SCDEW) manages this program, which has been operating since 1936. This system was designed to help bridge the gap between jobs while workers search for new employment.

EPA 609 Certification Information and Study Guide →

The unemployment insurance program in South Carolina works through a combination of state and federal funding. Employers contribute to the system through payroll taxes, which creates a fund that pays benefits to workers who meet certain conditions. The amount of money available in this fund fluctuates based on economic conditions. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, South Carolina's unemployment rate reached 12.3% in April, compared to the typical rate of around 3-4% during normal economic times.

Workers should understand that unemployment benefits are not welfare or charity—they represent a form of insurance that workers have contributed to through their employment. When a worker loses a job, they may be able to receive a portion of their previous wages for a limited time while they search for new work. The maximum weekly benefit amount in South Carolina for 2024 is $378 per week, though this amount adjusts annually.

The program operates on a weekly basis. Workers who receive benefits must typically remain unemployed and actively search for work. Benefits are not designed to replace 100% of lost wages; instead, they typically replace a portion of what a worker was earning. The duration of benefits depends on several factors, including the state of the economy and the worker's employment history.

Practical takeaway: Learn about the basic framework of South Carolina's unemployment system before exploring whether you might be affected by job loss. Understanding that this is an insurance-based program can help you view benefits as a resource you've already contributed toward through employment.

Basic Requirements for Filing in South Carolina

To file for unemployment benefits in South Carolina, a worker must meet several foundational requirements. First, the person must have worked in South Carolina or for a South Carolina employer during a specific time period called the "base period." The base period is typically the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before the claim is filed. This means if you file a claim in March 2024, your base period would generally be January 2023 through December 2023.

Get Your Free Guide to Cleaning Fruits and Vegetables →

During the base period, a worker must have earned a minimum amount of wages. In South Carolina, this threshold is currently $1,200 in total wages during the base period, with at least $300 earned in one calendar quarter. These amounts are adjusted annually to account for inflation and wage growth. These thresholds are relatively low compared to many other states, making South Carolina's system somewhat accessible to workers with varied employment histories.

Workers must also be separated from their job. This can happen through a layoff, plant closure, reduction in work hours, or job elimination. However, separation due to misconduct, quitting without good cause, or being fired for poor performance typically disqualifies someone from receiving benefits. The determination of whether a separation qualifies depends on the specific circumstances of how and why employment ended.

A person filing must be physically able and available to work. They cannot be in school full-time, incarcerated, or otherwise unable to accept work. Additionally, workers must actively search for employment while receiving benefits. South Carolina requires claimants to make at least one work contact per week, though they should document more contacts than this minimum. Work contacts include applying for jobs, interviewing with employers, or networking with people in your field.

Non-citizens may file for benefits if they have work authorization. Undocumented immigrants are not able to receive unemployment benefits in South Carolina. Individuals should have a Social Security number or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) associated with work authorization to proceed with a claim.

Practical takeaway: Review your employment records from the past year and gather information about your wages and reasons for job separation. This preparation helps you understand whether your situation may meet South Carolina's basic requirements for filing.

The Filing Process and Required Documentation

Filing for unemployment benefits in South Carolina is done through the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce. The primary method of filing is online through the SCDEW website at dew.sc.gov. Workers can also file by telephone by calling the SC Unemployment Insurance Claims Line. The online filing system is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, which provides flexibility for workers with different schedules.

Get Your Free Guide to ATM Check Deposits →

When filing online, you will need to create an account or log into an existing account on the SCDEW portal. The filing process typically takes between 15 to 30 minutes to complete. You will be asked to provide personal information including your name, Social Security number, date of birth, and contact information. The system will also ask about your employment history, including the names of recent employers, dates of employment, and the reason your employment ended.

Documentation that you should have available when filing includes: your Social Security card or number; driver's license or state identification; information about your most recent employer including the company name, address, and phone number; the dates you worked; your job title; reasons for separation from the job; and your final paycheck amount if available. If you were laid off, you may have a layoff notice. If you quit, you should be prepared to explain why. If you were fired, you should have information about the circumstances.

After you file your initial claim, SCDEW will send you a Notice of Claim Filing, typically within one week. This notice confirms that your claim has been received. The department will then contact your most recent employer to verify the information you provided about your employment and the reason for separation. This is called "fact-finding." Your employer has the opportunity to provide their version of why employment ended.

If there is a disagreement between what you reported and what your employer reported, SCDEW may schedule a phone hearing. During this hearing, both you and your employer can present information about the separation. An SCDEW representative will listen to both sides and make a determination about whether you meet the requirements. You have the right to provide witnesses or documentation to support your case.

Once your initial claim is processed and you are found to meet the requirements, you will receive a Benefit Determination Notice. This notice tells you whether benefits have been granted or denied, the weekly benefit amount you will receive, and the duration of benefits. You will also receive information about how to claim your weekly benefits.

Practical takeaway: Gather all your employment documents and information before starting the filing process. Having details about your job, employer, and reasons for separation readily available will make the process smoother and reduce the chances of delays due to incomplete information.

Weekly Claims and Benefit Payments

After your initial claim is approved, you must file weekly claims to receive benefits. South Carolina uses a system where workers file claims each week for the week they are claiming benefits. Weekly claims are typically filed online through the same SCDEW portal where you filed your initial claim. You file a claim for the previous week, describing your work search activities and whether you worked any hours during that week.

Free Guide to Understanding DMV Services →

When filing your weekly claim, you will be asked several questions: Did you work any hours during the week? If yes, how many hours and how much did you earn? Did you refuse any job offers? Did you quit your job? Have you had any contact with an employer about a job? It is important to answer these questions accurately, as providing false information can result in overpayment of benefits and potential penalties.

If you earned some money during a week but less than your weekly benefit amount, South Carolina has a partial unemployment benefit system. For every dollar you earn above a small threshold, your benefit is reduced by a portion of that amount. This encourages people to take part-time or temporary work while searching for permanent employment. For example, if your weekly benefit is $300 but you earned $100 in wages that week, you would not receive the full $300; the benefit would be reduced based on your earnings.

Benefit payments in South Carolina are typically issued through direct deposit to your bank account. You can set up direct deposit during the filing process or by updating your account online. If you prefer not to use direct deposit, benefits can be issued to a debit card account. Most workers receive their weekly payment within 5 to 7 business days after filing their weekly claim, though this timing can vary based on processing workload.

The duration of benefits depends on the state's "extended benefits" status, which changes based on the unemployment rate. During normal economic times, South Carolina