South Carolina Unemployment

South Carolina Unemployment Benefits

The South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce provides unemployment insurance benefits to out-of-work employees to help temporarily replace earnings while those employees seek new jobs.

By offering these benefits, the state allows unemployed workers to maintain their purchase power, which lessens the overall negative effects of unemployment on the state economy and the burden of unemployment on individual households. In South Carolina, UI benefits can provide up to $326 weekly for an unemployed worker.

South Carolina Unemployment Services

How To Qualify for South Carolina Unemployment Benefits

To meet eligibility requirements, the following must be true in most cases:

• The claimant must be unemployed or working less than full time
• If the claimant is working at some level, she must earn less than the weekly benefit amount
• The claimant must be willing, able, and available to accept suitable work when it’s offered
• The claimant must confirm eligibility for benefits each week, along with completing two job searches per week, which will need to be entered into the SC Works online portal for each week a claimant wants to receive benefits

Benefit Payments and Duration

How To Apply for South Carolina Unemployment Benefits

The South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce strongly encourages all claimants to set up an online account and submit the initial unemployment benefits claim online. However, if you do not have Internet access, or if an online claim is impossible for other reasons, you also may submit a claim in person at your local South Carolina Works center or connection point.

Once approved for UI benefits, you may choose to have your weekly benefits delivered via direct deposit or loaded onto a Bank of America prepaid debit card.

Managing Your Unemployment Benefits

For as long as you receive benefits, you must submit a weekly certification to verify that you remain eligible for UI benefits. You can use the same username and password for the account you set up when filing your initial claim. You will need to log your job search activity, including a minimum of two job searches per week. 

If you earned any money that week, you must report the amount. You also may be asked to answer other questions about your weekly activities and your eligibility.

How Do I Appeal a Decision?

If you disagree with the decision regarding your claim, you can learn how to file an appeal in South Carolina. Make sure to closely read the letter you receive detailing your decision. It also will outline the steps you need to take to begin the appeal process. Once your appeal is received, you may be asked to participate in a hearing, during which you can answer questions about your claim.

If you receive an appellate decision that you still disagree with, your next step is to file another appeal with the Appellate Panel. This type of appeal must be filed within 10 days of the mailing date listed on your appellate decision.

Reporting Fraud

The South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce calls on all unemployment benefit recipients to be mindful of fraud and abuse. Participants are strongly encouraged to use the state’s online reporting form to bring forward any situations in which fraud is suspected, including employer fraud, claimant fraud, and even identity theft.

You also may call the fraud hotline at 800-868-1488. All tips are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly. When you make your report, try to provide as many details as you possibly can. This helps the state ensure that taxpayer dollars are being used appropriately and that UI benefits are truly going to those who need them most.

South Carolina Unemployment Office Locations