How to File for Unemployment in South Carolina
South Carolina's unemployment insurance program is run by the Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW). You file your claim online through their website or by phone, and the state processes it within one to two weeks. Most people file online because it's faster and you get a confirmation number when ready.
The process starts with a single process that covers both your initial claim and your weekly certifications. Once approved, you certify your continued unemployment each week to keep receiving payments. South Carolina pays by debit card (called the ReliaCard), not by check or direct deposit.
Payments are based on your earnings from the past year, not on how long you've been unemployed. The state calculates your weekly benefit amount using a formula tied to your highest quarter of earnings. The maximum weekly benefit in South Carolina varies year to year but is typically between $370 and $430 per week.
Key Takeaways
- File your claim online at www.scdew.org or by phone at 1-866-831-1724 within two weeks of your last day of work to avoid losing back pay.
- You must have earned at least $1,400 in your highest quarter of the past 12 months and worked in South Carolina to meet the basic earnings requirement.
- South Carolina pays benefits by ReliaCard debit card, not by check, and you must certify your unemployment each week to continue receiving payments.
- If your employer contests your claim or you are denied, you have the right to a hearing before an administrative law judge, and you can represent yourself or bring someone to help.
- Benefits typically last up to 12 weeks during normal economic conditions, though Congress may extend this during recessions.
What You Need Before You File
Gather these documents before you start your process. You'll need your Social Security number, driver's license or state ID number, and the dates you worked for your most recent employer. Have your employer's name, address, and phone number ready—the state will contact them to verify your employment and reason for separation.
If you worked for multiple employers in the past 12 months, write down the dates and earnings for each one. The state uses your highest quarter of earnings to calculate your benefit amount, so accuracy matters. If you received severance pay, have that amount and the date you received it available, because severance can affect when your benefits start.
You'll also need to know your banking information if you want to set up direct deposit to a personal bank account, though this is optional—you can use the ReliaCard instead. Have your most recent pay stub handy to verify your earnings if the state asks.
Filing Your Claim Online or by Phone
The fastest way to file is online at www.scdew.org. Click "File a New Claim" and answer questions about your employment history, reason for separation, and whether you were fired, laid off, or quit. Be honest about why you left work—this is the single most important part of your process because it determines whether you're disqualified.
If you quit, you must have had "good cause connected with the work" to receive benefits. Good cause means the job itself was the problem—unsafe conditions, wage theft, harassment, or a substantial change in duties or pay. Personal reasons like childcare problems or a spouse's job transfer do not count as good cause. If you were fired, the state will ask whether it was for misconduct. Misconduct means willful or negligent violation of your employer's reasonable rules, not straightforward making a mistake or performing poorly.
If you cannot file online, call 1-866-831-1724. The phone line is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time. Have all your information ready because the call takes 15 to 20 minutes and you won't be able to pause and resume. You'll receive a confirmation number at the end—write it down.
File as soon as possible after your last day of work. South Carolina allows you to file up to two weeks after separation without losing back pay, but waiting longer means you lose the weeks you could have been paid for.
Earnings Requirements and Disqualifications
To receive benefits, you must have earned at least $1,400 in your highest quarter of the 12 months before you filed your claim. A quarter is three months: January–March, April–June, July–September, or October–December. The state looks at your four most recent quarters and uses whichever one had the highest earnings.
You are disqualified if you quit without good cause, were fired for misconduct, or refused suitable work without good cause. You are also disqualified if you are receiving severance pay that covers the week you're claiming, or if you are receiving workers' compensation or Social Security retirement benefits. If you are in school full-time, you cannot receive unemployment benefits.
If you are partially employed—working part-time or earning some income—you can still receive partial benefits. South Carolina allows you to earn up to one-third of your weekly benefit amount before your payment is reduced. For example, if your weekly benefit is $300 and you earn $100 in a week, you receive $200. If you earn more than one-third, your benefit is reduced dollar-for-dollar for the amount over that threshold.
If you receive severance pay, the state counts it as wages and may delay your benefits until the severance period ends. Tell the state the exact amount and dates of your severance when you file.
What Happens After You File
The state processes your claim within one to two weeks. During this time, your employer will receive a notice asking them to confirm your employment dates, reason for separation, and whether they contest your claim. If your employer contests it, the state will contact you to explain their position.
If you are approved, you'll receive a notice in the mail with your weekly benefit amount and the date your benefits start. You'll also receive your ReliaCard debit card in the mail within 7 to 10 business days. Do not wait for the card to arrive before you start certifying—you can certify online or by phone as soon as you're approved, and the payment will load onto the card when it arrives.
You must certify your unemployment each week to receive payment. Certification means confirming that you were unemployed that week, did not work, and are actively looking for work. You certify online at www.scdew.org or by phone at 1-866-831-1724. Certification opens on Sunday and closes on Friday of each week. If you miss the important date, you lose that week's payment.
If your claim is denied, you'll receive a written decision explaining why. You have 10 days from the date of the decision to request a hearing. The hearing is held by phone or video before an administrative law judge, and you can represent yourself or bring someone to help you. You do not need a lawyer, and you do not have to pay for representation.
Your Rights If Your Claim Is Contested or Denied
Your employer may contest your claim by saying you quit without cause, were fired for misconduct, or violated company policy. When this happens, the state sends you a notice and schedules a hearing. You have the right to present your side of the story, provide evidence (like emails, text messages, or witness statements), and ask questions of your employer's representative.
At the hearing, you explain what happened and why you believe you're may have access to to benefits. If you quit, explain the specific problem with the job and why you couldn't solve it another way. If you were fired, explain what happened and whether the employer's account is accurate. The judge decides based on the evidence and the law.
If you lose at the hearing, you can appeal to the South Carolina Court of Appeals within 30 days. This is a legal appeal, not another hearing, and it's more complex. Many people consult with a lawyer at this stage, though you can file an appeal yourself. Some legal aid organizations in South Carolina offer free help with unemployment appeals—contact your local legal aid office to ask.
How Long Benefits Last and What to Do If You Run Out
South Carolina typically pays benefits for up to 12 weeks during normal economic conditions. This is called the regular benefit period. If you exhaust your regular benefits and are still unemployed, you may be able to receive extended benefits if Congress has authorized them during a recession or period of high unemployment.
Extended benefits are not automatic—you must file a separate claim for them, and they are only available when the state's unemployment rate meets a federal threshold. When extended benefits are available, the state sends you a notice. If you don't receive a notice, extended benefits are not currently available in South Carolina.
If your benefits run out and extended benefits are not available, you have no further recourse through the unemployment system. At that point, explore other programs: food information (SNAP), Medicaid, utility information, or job training programs. Contact your local workforce center or call 211 to learn what other programs you may be able to use.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I was fired but my employer says it was for misconduct?
You can still receive benefits if the misconduct was not willful or negligent. For example, if you made an honest mistake or your performance was poor despite your best effort, that's not misconduct. Misconduct means you knowingly violated a rule or were reckless. At your hearing, explain what happened and why you believe it wasn't willful misconduct. Bring any evidence—performance reviews, emails, or witness statements—that supports your account.
Can I receive unemployment if I'm working part-time?
Yes. South Carolina allows you to earn up to one-third of your weekly benefit amount without losing any payment. If you earn more than that, your benefit is reduced by the amount over the threshold. Report all earnings when you certify each week, even if you think they won't affect your payment.
What if I don't have a bank account for direct deposit?
You don't need one. South Carolina pays by ReliaCard debit card, which is mailed to you after your claim is approved. You can use the card to withdraw cash, make purchases, or check your balance online. There is no fee to use the card for withdrawals at most ATMs.
How do I know if my employer has contested my claim?
The state will send you a notice in the mail if your employer contests your claim. The notice includes the date and time of your hearing and explains what your employer said. Read it carefully and prepare your response before the hearing date.
What if I moved out of South Carolina after I filed?
You can still receive South Carolina unemployment benefits as long as you worked in South Carolina and meet all other requirements. You must continue to certify each week and report any work you do, even if you're working in another state. If you move and your address changes, update it on the DEW website so you receive notices by mail.