What the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce does

The South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce (SCDEW) is the state agency that processes unemployment claims, determines who is may be able to access, and pays benefits. If you lose your job in South Carolina, you file your claim with SCDEW, not with your employer or a federal office. SCDEW also maintains a job board where you can search for work and log your job search activities, which some claimants must do to keep receiving payments.

SCDEW operates a phone line, a website portal, and local career centers in different regions of the state. Most people file online because it is faster and you get a confirmation number when ready. The phone line exists mainly for people who cannot use the website or who need to report a problem with an existing claim.

Key Takeaways

  • You file your unemployment claim with SCDEW through their website at www.scdew.org, not through your employer or a federal agency.
  • You will need your Social Security number, driver's license or ID number, and information about your last job, including your employer's name, address, and phone number.
  • SCDEW will contact your employer to verify the reason you left or were let go, so your employer's account of what happened matters to whether you receive benefits.
  • You must certify your claim every week by logging back into the portal and confirming you are still unemployed and looking for work, or payments will stop.
  • If SCDEW denies your claim, you have the right to request a hearing before an administrative law judge, and you can bring evidence or a representative to that hearing.

What information you need before you start

Gather these documents and details before you open the SCDEW website to file. Having them ready means you will not lose your place in the form or have to start over.

You will need your Social Security number, your South Carolina driver's license or ID card number, and the dates you worked at your last job. You will also need your most recent employer's name, street address, phone number, and the name of a supervisor or manager if you know it. If you worked for a large company with multiple locations, make sure you have the address of the specific location where you worked.

Have your last pay stub or a record of how much you earned in the past year. SCDEW uses this to calculate your weekly benefit amount. If you were self-employed or a contractor, gather records showing your income. You will also need to know whether you quit, were laid off, or were fired, and the reason why — SCDEW will ask this directly.

How to file your claim online

Go to www.scdew.org and look for the link that says "File a Claim" or "Unemployment Insurance." You will create an account with a username and password. SCDEW will ask you to verify your identity using your Social Security number and driver's license number. This step usually takes a few minutes.

Once you are logged in, you will fill out a form with your personal information, employment history, and the reason you are no longer working. Be honest and specific about why you left your job. If you were fired, write down what happened. If you quit, explain why. SCDEW shares this information with your employer, and your employer will respond with their version of events. If your stories do not match, SCDEW may deny your claim or hold it while they investigate.

After you submit the form, you will receive a confirmation number on the screen and by email. Write down this number. SCDEW will review your claim, contact your employer, and send you a letter by mail within one to two weeks telling you whether you are approved or denied. Do not wait for this letter to start looking for work — you should begin right away.

Weekly certification and how to stay on the payment schedule

Once SCDEW approves your claim, you must certify your claim every week to keep receiving payments. Certification means logging back into your account on the SCDEW website and confirming that you are still unemployed and looking for work. You do this every Sunday through Friday; the important date is usually Friday at midnight, though SCDEW will tell you the exact day when you are approved.

If you miss a certification important date, your payments will stop. You can file a late certification, but there may be a delay before you receive that week's payment. Set a phone reminder or calendar alert for the same day each week so you do not forget.

During certification, SCDEW may ask you to list the jobs you applied for that week or the employers you contacted. You do not have to provide this information every week, but SCDEW can ask for it at any time. Keep a straightforward list of where you applied — the company name, the job title, and the date — so you can answer quickly if asked.

What happens if SCDEW denies your claim

SCDEW will send you a written notice if your claim is denied. The letter will explain the reason — usually that you quit without good cause, you were fired for misconduct, or you did not meet the earnings requirement. Read this letter carefully and keep it.

You have the right to request a hearing before an administrative law judge. You must request the hearing within 10 days of the date on the denial letter. You can request it by mail, by phone, or through the SCDEW website. At the hearing, you can present evidence, call witnesses, and explain your side of the story. Your employer will also have a chance to explain their side. The judge will then decide whether to overturn the denial or uphold it.

You do not need a lawyer, but you can bring one if you want. You can also bring a friend, family member, or representative to help you. If you cannot afford a lawyer, contact your local legal aid office — they sometimes handle unemployment hearings for free or low cost.

How much you will receive and when

South Carolina's weekly benefit amount depends on how much you earned in the year before you lost your job. SCDEW calculates this using your last pay stub or tax records. The state sets a minimum and maximum weekly amount, which changes each year. SCDEW will tell you your exact weekly amount in the approval letter.

You can receive benefits for up to 12 weeks in a standard benefit year, though this can change if the state or federal government extends benefits during a recession or crisis. The amount you receive each week is the same unless SCDEW recalculates it because of a change in your circumstances.

Payments are made by debit card to an account SCDEW sets up for you. The card arrives in the mail within one to two weeks of approval. Money is deposited every week on the same day, usually a Wednesday or Thursday. You can withdraw cash from ATMs or use the card like a regular debit card at stores.

Reporting changes and avoiding overpayment

If something changes while you are receiving benefits, you must report it to SCDEW. This includes starting a new job, earning money from self-employment or gig work, going back to school full-time, or moving out of South Carolina. Failing to report these changes can result in an overpayment — meaning SCDEW will ask you to return money you should not have received.

Report changes through your online account or by calling SCDEW. Do this as soon as the change happens, not weeks later. If you start working part-time, tell SCDEW how many hours you work and how much you earn each week. SCDEW allows you to earn some money and still receive partial benefits, but the amount you receive will be reduced based on your earnings.

If SCDEW determines you were overpaid, they will send you a notice explaining how much you owe. You can request a hearing to dispute the overpayment, or you can set up a payment plan to repay the money over time.

Contact information and resources

The SCDEW website is www.scdew.org. You can file a claim, certify weekly, check the status of your claim, and view your payment history all through your online account. The phone number for SCDEW is 1-866-831-1724. Wait times are often long, especially early in the week and early in the morning, so call in the afternoon or later in the week if you can.

SCDEW also operates career centers in different regions where you can use computers to search for jobs, get help with your resume, or speak to a counselor in person. These services are free. You can find the location nearest you on the SCDEW website.

If you have questions about a specific decision on your claim, the letter SCDEW sent you will have a phone number to call. If you are having trouble using the website, call the main SCDEW number and ask for technical support.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file for unemployment if I quit my job?

You can file, but SCDEW will likely deny your claim unless you quit for "good cause." Good cause means you had a serious reason — unsafe working conditions, wage theft, or a substantial change in your job duties. straightforward disliking your job or wanting to leave is not good cause. If denied, you can request a hearing and explain your reason to a judge.

How long does it take to get my first payment?

If SCDEW approves your claim, your first payment usually arrives within one to two weeks. The debit card takes another one to two weeks to arrive by mail. If there is a delay in approval because SCDEW is investigating your claim, the first payment may take three to four weeks or longer.

What if my employer says I was fired for misconduct?

SCDEW will contact you and ask your side of the story. Misconduct means you deliberately broke a rule or did something wrong. If your employer says you were late or made a mistake, that is usually not misconduct. If you disagree with what your employer told SCDEW, request a hearing and bring evidence — emails, schedules, or witness statements — to prove your case.

Do I have to look for work while I am receiving benefits?

You must be looking for work to receive benefits, but SCDEW does not always ask you to prove it. However, they can ask at any time to see a list of employers you contacted or jobs you applied for. Keep records of your job search so you can answer if asked. If you refuse to look for work or cannot show that you are trying, SCDEW can stop your benefits.

What if I move to another state while receiving benefits?

You must report the move to SCDEW. If you move permanently, your claim will end and you will need to file with the new state's unemployment office. If you move temporarily but still plan to work in South Carolina, contact SCDEW to discuss your situation — they may allow you to continue receiving benefits while you look for work.