South Carolina's unemployment system works through the Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW)

South Carolina processes unemployment claims through a single state agency: the Department of Employment and Workforce. You file your claim with DEW, not with your employer or a local office. DEW handles both the initial claim and the weekly certifications you submit to keep receiving payments.

The state uses an online portal called SCUI Online as its primary filing method. You can also file by phone or mail, but online filing is faster and gives you when ready confirmation that your claim was received. Most people file online and then manage their account through the same portal for the rest of their claim.

South Carolina's regular unemployment insurance (UI) program provides up to 12 weeks of benefits in most cases, though the exact number of weeks depends on the state's unemployment rate at the time you file. The weekly benefit amount is based on your earnings in the highest-earning quarter of the year before you lost your job.

Key Takeaways

  • File through SCUI Online (scui.dew.sc.gov) using your Social Security number and driver's license or ID number to create an account.
  • Have your last pay stub, employer's name and address, and the reason you left your job ready before you start the process.
  • File as soon as you become unemployed—South Carolina pays benefits back to the week you file, not the week you lost your job.
  • After your claim is approved, you must certify your continued unemployment every week by logging into SCUI Online or calling the automated phone line.
  • The state processes most claims within 7 to 10 business days, but verification delays can extend this to several weeks.

Creating your SCUI Online account and filing your initial claim

Go to scui.dew.sc.gov and select "File a New Claim" or "Create Account." You will need your Social Security number and either your South Carolina driver's license number or state ID number. If you do not have a South Carolina ID, you can use your out-of-state driver's license number instead. Create a username and password that you will use every week to certify your unemployment.

The online form asks for your employment history for the past 18 months, your reason for separation from your last job, and whether you were fired, laid off, or quit. Be specific about the reason—if you quit, the state needs to know whether it was for "good cause" (such as unsafe working conditions or a substantial change in job duties) or personal reasons. This distinction affects whether you are found ineligible. If you were laid off or your position was eliminated, that is typically the strongest situation for approval.

You will also enter your employer's name, address, phone number, and the dates you worked there. Have your last pay stub handy so you can provide accurate wage information. The form calculates your weekly benefit amount based on your highest-earning quarter, so the accuracy of your wage history matters.

What happens after you submit your claim

DEW sends a notice to your employer asking them to confirm the information you provided and to state whether they have any reason to contest your claim. This is called the "employer response." Your employer has about 10 days to respond. If they do not respond, your claim typically moves forward to approval.

If your employer contests the claim—for example, by saying you were fired for misconduct—DEW will contact you and may schedule a phone interview to hear your side. You do not need to attend an office; the interview happens by phone. If you disagree with DEW's decision after the interview, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge.

Most claims are approved within 7 to 10 business days if there are no disputes. Once approved, you will receive a notice showing your weekly benefit amount and the number of weeks you are may be able to access to receive benefits. Your first payment is usually deposited into your bank account or loaded onto a debit card within one to two weeks of approval.

Weekly certification: how to stay on the program

After your claim is approved, you must certify your unemployment every week to continue receiving payments. Certification means confirming that you were unemployed during that week and that you are actively looking for work. You certify through SCUI Online by logging in with the username and password you created, or by calling the automated phone line at 1-866-831-1724.

Certifications are due by 11:59 p.m. on the Sunday following the week you are certifying for. If you miss the important date, your payment is delayed until you certify. The online form asks whether you worked that week, whether you earned any income, and whether you refused any job offers. Answer honestly—if you worked part-time, report your earnings, and DEW will reduce your benefit by a portion of what you earned.

You must also report if you are receiving any other income, such as severance pay, vacation pay, or pension payments. These do not automatically disqualify you, but they may reduce your weekly benefit amount. If you fail to certify for two consecutive weeks without contacting DEW, your claim may be suspended.

Documents and information you need before you start

Gather these items before you open the SCUI Online form. Having them ready means you can complete your claim in one session and avoid losing your progress:

  • Your Social Security number
  • Your South Carolina driver's license or state ID number (or out-of-state driver's license number)
  • Your last pay stub from your most recent job
  • Your employer's name, address, and phone number
  • The dates you started and ended employment
  • The reason you are no longer employed (laid off, quit, fired, etc.)
  • Your bank account number and routing number if you want direct deposit, or you can choose to receive payments on a debit card

If you worked for more than one employer in the past 18 months, have information for all of them. DEW uses your highest-earning quarter to calculate your benefit, so all employers matter for that calculation.

If your claim is denied or delayed

If DEW denies your claim, you will receive a written notice explaining the reason. Common reasons include being fired for misconduct, quitting without good cause, or not meeting the wage requirements (you must have earned at least $1,300 in your highest-earning quarter). You have 30 days from the date of the notice to request an appeal hearing.

To appeal, log into SCUI Online, find your claim, and select "Appeal Decision." You can also mail or fax a written request to the address on your denial notice. At the hearing, you can present evidence and testimony about why you believe the decision was wrong. The hearing is conducted by an administrative law judge, and you can represent yourself or bring someone to help you.

If your claim is taking longer than 10 business days to process, contact DEW's customer service line at 1-866-831-1724. Long delays often happen when DEW is verifying your identity or waiting for your employer to respond. Calling does not speed up the process, but the representative can tell you what stage your claim is in and what information DEW is still waiting for.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file for unemployment if I quit my job?

You can file, but you must have quit for "good cause." Good cause means the job became unsafe, your duties changed substantially without your agreement, you were not paid on time, or similar serious problems. Quitting because you found another job or did not like the work is not good cause. DEW will ask your employer why you left, so be prepared to explain your reason in detail.

What if I was fired?

Being fired does not automatically disqualify you. If you were fired for misconduct—meaning you deliberately broke a rule or acted recklessly—you are ineligible. If you were fired for poor performance, inability to do the job, or a first-time mistake, you may still be found may be able to access. DEW will contact your employer to ask why they fired you.

How long does it take to get my first payment?

If your claim is approved with no disputes, you typically receive your first payment one to two weeks after approval. Most claims are approved within 7 to 10 business days, so you could see money within three weeks of filing. If your employer contests your claim or DEW needs to verify information, the process takes longer.

Do I have to look for a job while I am on unemployment?

Yes. South Carolina requires you to be "actively seeking work" to remain may be able to access. You do not have to prove it by submitting job applications each week, but you must be genuinely looking. If DEW suspects you are not looking, they may contact you to verify. If you turn down a suitable job offer without good reason, you can lose your benefits.

What if I earn money while I am on unemployment?

Report all earnings when you certify each week. South Carolina allows you to earn up to a certain amount before your benefit is reduced. The exact amount depends on your weekly benefit rate. Earnings above that threshold reduce your benefit dollar-for-dollar, so part-time work may still result in a reduced payment rather than no payment at all.