What South Carolina Unemployment Pays and Who Runs It
South Carolina's unemployment insurance program is run by the Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW). The program pays a weekly benefit amount based on your earnings during a specific period before you lost your job, and the amount varies by person. South Carolina does not publish a single maximum weekly benefit amount on its main website — instead, DEW calculates your individual rate based on your wage history.
The program covers most private-sector workers and some public employees. You receive payments by debit card (called the ReliaCard) or by direct deposit to your bank account. Benefits typically last up to 12 weeks during normal economic conditions, though Congress has extended that duration during recessions and national emergencies in the past.
South Carolina requires you to file a new claim online through the DEW website or by phone. Once approved, you must file weekly certifications to confirm you are still out of work and meeting other requirements — missing a certification stops your payments until you file it.
Key Takeaways
- You must file your claim with the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce either online at dew.sc.gov or by phone within a specific window after your job ends.
- South Carolina requires you to file a weekly certification each week you want to receive a payment, and missing even one week stops your benefits until you catch up.
- Your weekly benefit amount is based on your earnings during the base period (usually the first four of the five calendar quarters before you filed), not on a flat state rate.
- You must be able and available to work, actively looking for a job, and report any earnings or work you do during the week you claim benefits.
- South Carolina disqualifies you if you quit without good cause, were fired for misconduct, or refuse suitable work without a valid reason.
How to File Your Claim and What Documents You Need
File your claim as soon as possible after your job ends. You can file online at dew.sc.gov, by phone at 1-866-831-1724, or in person at a DEW office. The online system is fastest and available 24 hours a day. Have your Social Security number, driver's license or ID number, and your most recent pay stub or W-2 ready when you file.
DEW will ask for your employer's name, address, and phone number, the date your job ended, and the reason you are no longer working. If you were laid off, fired, or quit, the reason matters — South Carolina treats these situations differently. You will also need to provide information about any severance pay, vacation pay, or other final payments you received.
After you file, DEW sends a notice to your former employer asking them to confirm the information you provided. Your employer has a important date to respond. If they dispute your account of what happened, DEW will contact you to explain their side. This is called a fact-finding interview, and you have the right to respond in writing or by phone.
Weekly Certification and Reporting Requirements
Every week you want to receive a payment, you must file a weekly certification. You can do this online at dew.sc.gov, by phone, or by mail. The certification asks whether you worked that week, earned any money, and are still able and available to work. You must file your certification by the important date each week — missing the important date means you do not receive a payment for that week, even if you were out of work.
When you file your weekly certification, you must report any work you did and any money you earned, including gig work, part-time jobs, or self-employment income. South Carolina allows you to earn a small amount without losing your full benefit — the amount varies, so ask DEW what your personal earnings limit is. If you earn more than that limit in a week, your benefit for that week is reduced or eliminated.
You must also confirm that you are actively looking for work. South Carolina does not require you to list specific jobs you applied for each week, but you should keep records of your job search in case DEW asks. If you turn down a job offer or refuse to interview for a position, you must be ready to explain why the job was not suitable for you.
Reasons You May Be Disqualified or Have Benefits Reduced
South Carolina disqualifies you from benefits if you quit your job without good cause. "Good cause" means a reason that would make a reasonable person leave — for example, unsafe working conditions, a significant cut in pay or hours, or harassment. Quitting because you did not like your boss, wanted a different schedule, or found another job does not count as good cause.
You are also disqualified if you were fired for misconduct. Misconduct means you deliberately broke a rule, ignored a direct instruction, or behaved in a way that harmed your employer's business. Being fired for poor performance, making honest mistakes, or not being a good fit for the job is different from misconduct and may not disqualify you.
If you refuse suitable work without a valid reason, South Carolina can disqualify you. Suitable work means a job that matches your skills, experience, and physical ability, and pays at least 75 percent of your previous wage. You can refuse a job if it requires you to cross a picket line, if the wages are significantly lower than what you earned before, or if the hours or location make it impossible for you to work.
Receiving severance pay, vacation pay, or other final payments from your employer may delay or reduce your benefits. South Carolina counts these payments as wages and may offset your weekly benefit by a portion of the payment. Ask DEW how any final payment from your employer will affect your benefits.
What Happens If Your Claim Is Denied
If DEW denies your claim, you receive a written notice explaining the reason. Common reasons include that your employer reported you quit without good cause, that you were fired for misconduct, or that you do not meet the earnings requirement. The notice tells you how to appeal and the important date to file your appeal — usually 10 days from the date on the notice.
To appeal, file a written request with DEW or call the appeals number on your denial notice. You can appeal by mail, phone, or online. An appeals examiner will review your case and may hold a hearing where you and your employer can explain what happened. You have the right to bring witnesses, documents, or a representative to the hearing.
If the appeals examiner rules against you, you can appeal again to the South Carolina Court of Common Pleas. This step requires filing a legal document and may involve hiring a lawyer. Many people do not pursue this level of appeal, but it is available if you believe the examiner made an error.
Special Situations: Partial Unemployment, Reduced Hours, and Self-Employment
If you are working part-time or have had your hours cut but are still unemployed for part of the week, you may be able to claim partial unemployment benefits. South Carolina reduces your weekly benefit by the amount you earned, but you may still receive a payment if your earnings are below your weekly benefit amount. Report all hours and earnings on your weekly certification.
If you are self-employed or own a business, you generally cannot claim unemployment benefits. However, if you were a wage employee and also did self-employment work on the side, you may be able to claim based on your wage employment. The self-employment income may reduce your benefit. Contact DEW to discuss your specific situation.
If you are in a union and on a temporary layoff or in a union hiring hall system, different rules may explore. Some unions have agreements with employers that affect how unemployment benefits work. Check with your union representative about how your situation is handled.
How to Contact South Carolina DEW and Track Your Claim
The South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce operates a website at dew.sc.gov where you can file a claim, file weekly certifications, check your claim status, and view payment history. You can also call 1-866-831-1724 for general questions about filing or certifying. The phone line is available Monday through Friday during business hours.
To check the status of your claim, log into your account on dew.sc.gov and look for your claim status page. This page shows whether your claim is pending, approved, or denied, and displays the dates of any payments issued. If you filed a weekly certification, you can see whether it was received and processed.
If you need to speak with someone about a specific issue — such as a denial, a missing payment, or a question about your earnings — you may need to wait on hold or request a callback. DEW's phone lines are often busy, especially when unemployment is high. The online system is usually faster for routine tasks like filing certifications or checking your balance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get my first payment after I file?
DEW typically processes claims within one to two weeks if your employer confirms the information you provided and there are no disputes. If your employer contests your account or if DEW needs more information from you, it can take longer. Once your claim is approved, your first payment is usually issued within a few days.
What if I was fired but I think it was not for misconduct?
File your claim anyway. DEW will contact your employer and ask them to explain why you were fired. If your employer says it was for misconduct and you disagree, you will have a chance to explain your side during a fact-finding interview or appeal hearing. Being fired does not automatically disqualify you — it depends on whether the reason counts as misconduct under South Carolina law.
Can I work part-time while collecting unemployment?
Yes, but you must report your earnings on your weekly certification. South Carolina allows you to earn a small amount without losing your full benefit. If you earn more than that amount, your weekly benefit is reduced. The exact earnings limit depends on your individual benefit amount — DEW will tell you what yours is when you file.
What if I move out of South Carolina while receiving benefits?
You can continue to receive South Carolina benefits if you move to another state, but you must continue to file your weekly certifications and meet all other requirements. If you move and find work in another state, you must report that income. Some states have agreements to share information, so DEW may learn about your new job even if you do not tell them.
Do I have to pay taxes on my unemployment benefits?
Yes, unemployment benefits are taxable income. DEW does not automatically withhold federal income tax from your payments, but you can request that they do. You will receive a Form 1099-G at the end of the year showing the total benefits you received. You are responsible for reporting this income on your tax return or paying estimated taxes during the year.