What the South Carolina Department of Employment and Wages Actually Does

The South Carolina Department of Employment and Wages (SCDEW) is the state agency that processes unemployment insurance claims, maintains wage records, and handles employer tax accounts. If you are out of work in South Carolina and need to file for unemployment benefits, SCDEW is where your claim goes. The department does not decide whether you deserve help — it administers the program according to state and federal law, and a claims examiner reviews your specific situation.

SCDEW operates regional offices across the state, a call center, and an online filing system. Most people now file online through the agency's website rather than visiting an office in person, though phone and in-person options still exist. The department also handles wage verification for other programs, tax records for employers, and appeals when a claim is denied.

Key Takeaways

  • South Carolina unemployment claims are filed through SCDEW's website at www.scdew.org or by phone at 803-737-2400, not through a local office walk-in.
  • You must have earned wages in South Carolina within the past 18 months and lost your job through no fault of your own to meet the basic requirement for benefits.
  • The state processes claims within two to three weeks under normal conditions, though delays occur during high-volume periods.
  • If your claim is denied, you have the right to request a hearing before an administrative law judge, and SCDEW will send you written notice of how to do so.
  • SCDEW maintains a record of your wages and can provide verification letters to other agencies or employers if you need proof of past employment.

How to File a Claim With SCDEW

You can file online at www.scdew.org using the "File a Claim" link on the homepage. The online system asks for your Social Security number, driver's license or ID number, employment history for the past 18 months, and the reason you are no longer working. You will also need to provide your bank account information if you want benefits deposited directly, though the state can mail a debit card instead.

If you cannot file online, call the SCDEW claims line at 803-737-2400. Wait times are longest on Mondays and Tuesdays. A representative can file your claim over the phone, but you will still need to verify your identity and provide the same employment information. Some people prefer the phone route because a representative can answer questions as you go, but the online system is faster if you have all your information ready.

After you file, SCDEW sends you a confirmation number and a notice telling you when to expect a decision. You do not need to visit an office unless you are asked to do so for verification or an appeal hearing.

What SCDEW Needs to Know About Your Job Loss

South Carolina requires that you lost your job through no fault of your own. This means you were laid off, your hours were cut, your workplace closed, or you were fired for misconduct unrelated to willful violation of rules. It does not include quitting, even if you had a good reason. It does not include being fired for breaking a rule you knew about, even if the punishment seems harsh.

SCDEW contacts your employer to verify the reason for separation. Your employer may say you quit, were fired for cause, or were laid off. If there is a disagreement, SCDEW holds a fact-finding interview where both you and your employer can explain what happened. This is not a formal hearing — it is a phone call or written exchange where a claims examiner gathers information.

You will be asked about your last day of work, whether you were given notice, whether you received a final paycheck, and whether you have been offered your job back. Be honest and specific. If you were fired, explain what happened and why you believe it was not your fault. If you quit, explain why — some reasons (unsafe conditions, wage theft, domestic violence requiring relocation) may still may have access to you, though the bar is higher than for layoffs.

Wage Requirements and Benefit Amounts

To receive benefits, you must have earned at least $1,200 in wages during the base period, which is normally the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file. You also must have worked for at least two different employers or earned wages in at least two different calendar quarters. These are minimum thresholds — meeting them does not may provide benefits, but failing to meet them disqualifies you.

Your weekly benefit amount is calculated as one-twenty-sixth of your average weekly wage during the base period, up to a state maximum. The maximum changes each year; as of 2024 it is $387 per week, but you should confirm the current amount on the SCDEW website. If you earned $500 per week on average, you would receive roughly $192 per week. If you earned $10,000 per week, you would still receive only the maximum.

Benefits are paid for up to 12 weeks in South Carolina under normal conditions. During periods of high unemployment, the state may offer extended benefits for an additional 13 weeks, but this requires a separate process and is not automatic. SCDEW announces when extended benefits are available.

What Happens After You File

SCDEW sends you a notice within 7 to 10 days telling you whether your claim was accepted or denied. If accepted, you will receive a notice showing your weekly benefit amount and the date benefits begin. Benefits do not start the week you file — there is normally a one-week waiting period, so your first payment covers the second week after you file.

Once benefits begin, you must file a weekly claim every week to receive payment. You can file online, by phone, or by mail. The weekly claim asks whether you worked, earned any income, or refused any job offers. You must answer honestly — misreporting work or income is fraud and can result in overpayment demands and criminal charges.

SCDEW deposits benefits into your bank account or onto a debit card, usually within two business days of processing your weekly claim. If there is a delay or you do not receive payment when expected, call the claims line to check the status.

If Your Claim Is Denied

If SCDEW denies your claim, you receive a written notice explaining the reason. Common reasons include: you quit your job, you were fired for misconduct, you did not earn enough wages, or you did not work in South Carolina long enough. The notice also tells you that you have the right to request a hearing before an administrative law judge.

You must request a hearing within 10 days of the denial notice. You can request it online, by phone, or by mail — the notice tells you how. At the hearing, you can present evidence, call witnesses, and explain your side of the story. Your employer can also present evidence. The hearing is conducted by phone or video unless you request an in-person hearing, which may take longer to schedule.

After the hearing, the administrative law judge issues a written decision. If you disagree with that decision, you can appeal to the South Carolina Employment Security Commission Appeals Board, though this is a higher bar and requires showing that the judge made a legal error, not just that you disagree with the facts.

SCDEW Regional Offices and Contact Information

Most business with SCDEW is handled by phone or online, but the agency maintains regional offices in Columbia, Charleston, Greenville, and other locations. You can find the address and phone number for your nearest office on the SCDEW website. Offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but call ahead because some services require an appointment.

The main SCDEW phone number is 803-737-2400. The website is www.scdew.org. If you need a wage verification letter or other records, you can request them online or by mail. Processing time for records requests is usually 5 to 10 business days.

SCDEW also has a dedicated phone line for employers at 803-737-2660 and handles wage record corrections, tax account issues, and employer registration through that line.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file for unemployment if I was fired?

Yes, but only if you were fired for reasons other than willful misconduct. If you were fired for breaking a rule you knew about, or for poor performance despite warnings, you likely will not receive benefits. If you were fired for a reason unrelated to your conduct — such as the business closing, a position being eliminated, or a personality conflict with a supervisor — you may still may have access to. SCDEW will ask your employer why you were fired and make a information.

How long does it take to get my first payment?

SCDEW usually processes claims within two to three weeks under normal conditions. There is a one-week waiting period, so your first payment covers the second week after you file. During high-volume periods, processing can take longer. You can check the status of your claim online or by calling 803-737-2400.

What if I earned wages in another state before moving to South Carolina?

SCDEW can combine wages from other states if you moved within the past 18 months and meet the other requirements. You will need to provide the names and dates of employment for out-of-state jobs. SCDEW contacts those states' unemployment agencies to verify wages. This is called "interstate wage combining" and can help you reach the minimum wage requirement.

Can I work part-time while receiving unemployment benefits?

Yes, but your benefits are reduced by the amount you earn. If you earn $100 in a week and your benefit is $300, you receive $200 that week. You must report all earnings on your weekly claim form. Some people work part-time while looking for full-time work, and benefits help bridge the income gap.

What if SCDEW says I owe money back?

If you received benefits you were not may have access to to — because you misreported work, income, or the reason you left your job — SCDEW will send you an overpayment notice. You can request a hearing to dispute the overpayment, or you can agree to repay it. SCDEW can deduct future benefits or tax refunds to recover the money, so addressing an overpayment quickly is important.