South Carolina's unemployment program is run by the Department of Employment and Workforce

South Carolina's unemployment insurance is administered by the Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW), a state agency that handles claims, benefit payments, and employer accounts. Unlike some states that contract with third parties, South Carolina runs its system directly through state staff and its own online portal called SCUI Online.

The program covers workers who lose jobs through no fault of their own—layoffs, business closures, and reduction in hours all may have access to. Self-employed workers, independent contractors, and workers who quit are generally not covered, though South Carolina has added some pandemic-related exceptions that may still explore in limited cases.

Benefits are funded by employer payroll taxes, not by worker contributions. This means you do not pay into the system yourself; your employer does. The amount you receive depends on your earnings in the base period (typically the first four of the five calendar quarters before you file) and South Carolina's benefit formula.

Key Takeaways

  • South Carolina's Department of Employment and Workforce processes all claims through SCUI Online, and you must file there rather than by phone or mail.
  • Weekly benefits range from $42 to $370, depending on your prior earnings, and you can receive them for up to 12 weeks in most years.
  • You must report your work search activities each week—typically three documented job contacts—or your claim will be denied.
  • The state processes most claims within two to three weeks, but disputes over separation reason or earnings can delay payment by several weeks or months.
  • If you disagree with a claim denial, you have 30 days to file an appeal with the Department of Employment and Workforce.

Weekly benefit amounts and how long you can receive them

South Carolina calculates your weekly benefit by taking your highest quarter of earnings in the base period, dividing by 26, and then explore a percentage. The result is your weekly benefit amount, which ranges from a minimum of $42 to a maximum of $370 per week. The exact percentage and maximum change slightly from year to year based on state law and economic conditions, so the current figures may differ from these ranges.

The number of weeks you can collect depends on the state's unemployment rate. In most years, South Carolina allows 12 weeks of benefits. During periods of higher unemployment, the state may trigger an additional 7 weeks of extended benefits, though this requires both state and federal approval. You will receive notice if extended benefits become available in your claim period.

Payments are issued on a debit card (called the ReliaCard) that arrives by mail after your claim is approved. You can withdraw cash, make purchases, or transfer funds to your bank account. There is no fee to use the card for basic transactions, though some ATM withdrawals may carry charges depending on the network.

Filing a claim and reporting work search activities

You file your initial claim through SCUI Online at www.scui.dew.sc.gov. You will need your Social Security number, driver's license or ID number, and information about your last employer—company name, address, phone number, and the reason you separated. You can file as soon as you know you are unemployed; there is no waiting period before you submit.

After you file, South Carolina sends a notice to your last employer asking them to confirm the separation reason and your final wages. This is called wage verification, and it is the most common source of delays. If your employer disputes that you were laid off (for example, if they say you quit or were fired for misconduct), your claim will be denied pending an investigation.

Once your claim is approved, you must file a weekly claim every week you want to receive benefits. You do this through SCUI Online by answering questions about whether you worked, earned money, or refused any job offers. You must also report your work search activities—typically three documented job contacts per week. A job contact means you applied for a job, spoke with an employer, attended a job interview, or participated in a work search activity like a training program or job fair. You do not need to submit proof with your weekly claim, but you must keep records in case the state asks for them later.

If you miss a weekly claim important date or fail to report work search activities, your benefits will be denied for that week. You can file a late claim up to two weeks after the week ends, but you will lose payment for any weeks you do not report on time.

What disqualifies you or reduces your benefits

South Carolina will deny your claim if you left your job voluntarily without good cause, were fired for misconduct, or refused suitable work without a valid reason. "Good cause" is narrowly defined—it usually means your employer cut your hours drastically, changed your job duties significantly, or created unsafe working conditions. Personal reasons like childcare problems, transportation issues, or family illness do not count as good cause to quit.

Misconduct means willful or negligent violation of your employer's rules—repeated tardiness, insubordination, theft, or safety violations. A single mistake or poor performance is usually not misconduct unless it was deliberate.

If you receive severance pay, a lump-sum bonus, or vacation payout when you separate, South Carolina may reduce or delay your benefits. The state counts these payments as "wages in lieu of notice" and deducts them from your benefit amount week by week. The exact calculation depends on how the payment is structured and when it is paid.

If you work part-time while collecting benefits, your weekly benefit is reduced by 50 cents for every dollar you earn above $30. For example, if your weekly benefit is $200 and you earn $100 in a week, you would receive $165 ($200 minus $35, which is 50 cents times $70 in earnings above $30).

The appeal process if your claim is denied

If the Department of Employment and Workforce denies your claim, you receive a written notice explaining the reason. You have 30 days from the date of the notice to file an appeal. You do this by logging into SCUI Online and selecting the appeal option, or by mailing a written request to the address on your denial notice.

Your appeal goes to a claims examiner who reviews your case and may contact you and your employer for more information. The examiner will schedule a phone hearing if either you or your employer requests one. During the hearing, you can present evidence—emails, pay stubs, witness statements, or written explanations—and answer questions about your separation.

The examiner issues a written decision, which you can appeal again if you disagree. A second appeal goes to the Board of Review, a panel of three members who review the examiner's decision. The Board's decision is final unless you pursue further legal action in court, which is rare and requires an attorney.

The entire appeals process typically takes 4 to 8 weeks, though complex cases can take longer. You do not receive benefits while your appeal is pending, but if you win, you are paid retroactively to the week your claim was originally filed.

Pandemic-related programs that may still be available

South Carolina received federal funding for several temporary unemployment programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of these have ended, but some provisions may still explore depending on when you file and your circumstances.

Pandemic Unemployment information (PUA) covered self-employed workers, gig workers, and others not normally covered by unemployment insurance. This program ended in September 2021, and new claims are no longer accepted. If you received PUA and believe you were overpaid, contact the Department of Employment and Workforce about repayment options.

Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) added $600 per week (later $300 per week) to regular benefits. This ended in September 2021. Some workers received overpayments during this period; the state has issued notices about repayment, though enforcement has been limited.

If you have questions about whether you owe money back or whether any pandemic-related provisions explore to your situation, contact the Department of Employment and Workforce directly at 803-737-2400 or through SCUI Online.

Contacting the Department of Employment and Workforce

South Carolina does not accept unemployment claims by phone. All filing and weekly reporting must be done through SCUI Online. However, you can call the department's customer service line at 803-737-2400 to ask questions about your claim, report a problem with the website, or request information if you have a disability that prevents you from using the online system.

Wait times are typically longest on Mondays and Tuesdays. The department also maintains a help section within SCUI Online with FAQs, video tutorials, and step-by-step guides for common tasks like filing an initial claim or reporting work search activities.

If you need help understanding your rights or navigating the appeals process, South Carolina Legal Services offers free information to low-income residents. You can reach them through their website or by calling 888-346-5592.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to receive my first payment?

Most claims are processed within two to three weeks if your employer confirms the separation reason and wages quickly. If your employer disputes your claim or if there are questions about your earnings, processing can take four to six weeks or longer. You will receive a notice once your claim is approved, and your ReliaCard will arrive by mail within a few business days after that.

Can I receive unemployment if I was laid off due to lack of work?

Yes. Lack of work or reduction in hours is considered a layoff, which qualifies you for benefits. Your employer may call it a temporary layoff or furlough, but the result is the same—you are out of work through no fault of your own. File your claim as soon as you know you will not be returning to work.

What happens if I find a job while my claim is pending?

You should report your new job when you file your next weekly claim. If you start work before your initial claim is approved, your benefits may be reduced or denied for the weeks you worked. If you start work after approval, you report your earnings and work search stops, but you can reopen your claim later if you lose that job without good cause.

Do I have to pay taxes on my unemployment benefits?

Yes. Unemployment benefits are taxable income. When you receive your ReliaCard, no taxes are withheld automatically. You can request that the state withhold federal income tax (usually 10 percent) by contacting the Department of Employment and Workforce, or you can pay taxes when you file your annual return.

What if my employer says I was fired for misconduct, but I disagree?

File an appeal within 30 days of the denial notice. During your appeal hearing, you can explain your side of the story and provide evidence—emails, witness statements, or documentation of the incident. The examiner will weigh both your account and your employer's account. If you believe you were treated unfairly, bring any written records you have from your employment.