Where to start: South Carolina's online system

South Carolina handles unemployment claims through a single online portal called SCUI Online, run by the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce (SCDEW). You create an account, file your claim, and track its status all in one place. The system is available 24 hours a day, though the state processes claims during business hours Monday through Friday.

Before you start, gather these documents: your Social Security number, driver's license or state ID number, your most recent pay stub, and the name and address of your last employer. If you were laid off or had hours reduced, have the reason ready—the system will ask. You do not need to print anything or visit an office to file; the entire process happens online.

Go to www.scui.dew.sc.gov and select "File a New Claim." The site will walk you through creating a login, entering your personal information, and describing your separation from work. Most people finish in 15 to 20 minutes. Once you submit, you will receive a confirmation number and an email with next steps.

Key Takeaways

  • File your claim at www.scui.dew.sc.gov using SCUI Online, which is open 24 hours but processes claims Monday through Friday.
  • Have your Social Security number, ID number, most recent pay stub, and your last employer's name and address ready before you start.
  • South Carolina requires you to certify your claim weekly by logging back into SCUI Online and confirming you are still unemployed and looking for work.
  • The state typically makes a decision on your claim within two to three weeks, and you can check the status anytime in your SCUI Online account.
  • If your claim is denied, you have the right to request a hearing, and SCDEW will send you written notice of the reason and how to appeal.

What happens after you file

After you submit your claim, SCDEW reviews it to confirm you meet the basic requirements: you were employed in South Carolina, you lost your job through no fault of your own, and you earned enough wages in the past 12 months. This review usually takes one to two weeks. During that time, you can check your claim status by logging into SCUI Online and selecting "View Claim Status."

If SCDEW needs more information—for example, if your employer disputes the reason you left—they will contact you by mail or phone. Respond promptly, because delays in providing information can slow your claim. Once SCDEW makes a decision, they will send you a written notice in the mail explaining whether your claim was approved or denied and why.

If approved, you will receive a debit card in the mail within 7 to 10 business days. This card is how South Carolina pays your benefits each week. You do not receive a check or direct deposit; the state uses a prepaid debit card system. The card arrives with instructions on how to set up it and check your balance.

Weekly certification and staying on your claim

Once your claim is approved, you must certify every week to keep receiving payments. Certification means logging into SCUI Online, confirming that you are still unemployed, and answering questions about any work you did or income you earned that week. South Carolina requires certification on Sundays through Fridays; the exact day depends on your Social Security number, and SCUI Online will tell you which day is yours.

If you do not certify by the important date, your payment for that week will not be sent. You can certify up to two weeks late and still receive the payment, but after two weeks the state stops paying until you certify again. Missing certifications is the most common reason people lose benefits they are may have access to to, so set a reminder on your phone for your certification day.

During certification, you will also report any work you did, even part-time or temporary work. South Carolina allows you to earn a small amount each week without losing all your benefits—the state reduces your payment by 25 cents for every dollar you earn above a threshold. Reporting honestly is important; if you fail to report income and the state finds out later, you may have to repay benefits.

How much you receive and how long benefits last

South Carolina's weekly benefit amount depends on your earnings in the past 12 months. The state calculates it by taking your highest quarter of earnings and dividing by 26, then explore a formula. The maximum weekly benefit is set by state law and changes each year; it was $387 per week in 2024, but you should check the current amount on the SCDEW website because it may have changed. Your actual payment will likely be lower unless you earned very high wages.

You can receive benefits for up to 12 weeks in a benefit year, which runs from July 1 to June 30. If you exhaust your 12 weeks and are still unemployed, you do not automatically receive more. South Carolina does not have a state extended benefits program, so once your 12 weeks end, your claim closes. During recessions or periods of high unemployment, the federal government sometimes funds extended benefits, but this is not may provide and varies by year.

To see your exact weekly amount and remaining weeks, log into SCUI Online and view your claim details. The debit card statement will also show each payment as it arrives.

What disqualifies you or reduces your benefits

South Carolina denies claims or reduces benefits for several reasons. The most common is misconduct—if your employer says you were fired for breaking a rule or performing poorly, SCDEW will investigate. Quitting your job without good cause also disqualifies you, even if you had a personal reason. The state defines "good cause" narrowly: unsafe working conditions, a significant cut in pay or hours, or harassment are examples, but personal reasons like childcare problems or a long commute are not.

If you refuse a job offer or fail to look for work, you can lose benefits. South Carolina requires you to be actively searching for work while you receive benefits. You do not have to prove your search efforts when you certify, but if SCDEW contacts you and asks for evidence, you must provide it. Keeping a written log of jobs you applied for, dates, and employer contact information protects you if questions arise.

Fraud—lying on your claim or during certification—results in denial, repayment demands, and possible criminal charges. Do not misrepresent your reason for leaving work, hide income, or certify when you are not unemployed. The consequences are serious and long-lasting.

If your claim is denied or you disagree with a decision

If SCDEW denies your claim or reduces your benefits, you will receive a written notice explaining the reason. The notice includes a important date to request a hearing, usually 10 days from the date of the notice. To request a hearing, you must contact SCDEW in writing or through SCUI Online before that important date passes. Missing the important date means you lose your right to appeal that decision.

At the hearing, a hearing officer will listen to your side of the story and your employer's side. You can represent yourself or bring a representative—a lawyer, a friend, or a union representative. The hearing is usually held by phone or video conference. After the hearing, the officer issues a written decision. If you disagree with that decision, you can appeal to the South Carolina Court of Common Pleas, but this requires legal steps and is uncommon.

If you believe your claim was denied by mistake—for example, if your employer's statement was false—gather evidence like emails, pay stubs, or witness statements and submit it with your appeal request. The more specific your evidence, the stronger your case.

Reporting changes and other important rules

You must report certain changes to SCDEW while your claim is active. If you return to work, even part-time, report it during your next weekly certification. If your address or phone number changes, update it in SCUI Online. If you move out of South Carolina, contact SCDEW because your claim may be affected depending on where you move and whether you are still looking for work in South Carolina.

South Carolina taxes unemployment benefits as income. You do not pay taxes when you receive the payment, but you will owe taxes on the total amount when you file your federal income tax return. Some people choose to have taxes withheld from their weekly payment to avoid a large tax bill later. You can request tax withholding through SCUI Online or by contacting SCDEW.

If you receive benefits you were not may have access to to—because of an error by the state or because you did not report something you should have—SCDEW will send you a notice demanding repayment. You can dispute the demand or request a payment plan if you cannot pay in full. Ignoring a repayment demand does not make it go away; the state can pursue collection or offset future tax refunds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file a claim if I was fired?

It depends on why you were fired. If you were fired for misconduct—breaking a rule, poor performance, or insubordination—your claim will likely be denied. If you were fired without cause or for reasons beyond your control, you may be approved. SCDEW will ask your employer for their version of events, so be honest and specific about what happened when you file.

How long does it take to receive my first payment?

SCDEW typically makes a decision within two to three weeks. If approved, your debit card arrives within 7 to 10 business days after that. In total, expect four to five weeks from filing to receiving your first payment. During the wait, you can check your claim status in SCUI Online anytime.

What if I find part-time work while receiving benefits?

Report the income during your weekly certification. South Carolina reduces your weekly benefit by 25 cents for every dollar you earn above a threshold. You can still receive partial benefits if your part-time earnings are low enough. Hiding income is fraud and will result in repayment demands and possible criminal charges.

Can I receive benefits if I move to another state?

If you move but are still looking for work in South Carolina, you may continue your claim. If you move and are no longer seeking work in South Carolina, your claim will end. Contact SCDEW before you move to understand how it affects your benefits.

What do I do if I do not receive my weekly payment?

Check your debit card balance first—sometimes payments are delayed by one or two days. If several days have passed and you did not receive payment, log into SCUI Online to confirm you certified that week. If you certified and still have no payment, contact SCDEW by phone or through SCUI Online to report the issue.