What South Carolina Unemployment Compensation Covers

South Carolina's unemployment compensation program pays weekly benefits to workers who lose their job through no fault of their own. The program is run by the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce (SCDEW), and the money comes from taxes employers pay into the state fund — not from general tax revenue.

The program covers most private-sector workers and some public employees. It does not cover self-employed people, independent contractors, or gig workers. Benefits typically last up to 12 weeks in a standard year, though Congress sometimes extends this during economic downturns. The weekly amount varies based on your prior earnings, with a state maximum that changes yearly.

South Carolina does not require you to wait a week before benefits begin, unlike some states. If you meet the other requirements, your first payment can arrive within two to three weeks of your claim being approved.

Key Takeaways

  • You must have worked in South Carolina for at least one quarter (three months) and earned a minimum amount to be considered for benefits.
  • You cannot have quit your job voluntarily or been fired for misconduct — the job loss must be involuntary and through no fault of your own.
  • You must file your claim with SCDEW within a specific time frame after losing your job, and you can file online, by phone, or in person.
  • Once approved, you must report your work search activities each week and certify that you remain unemployed to keep receiving payments.
  • If you receive a notice of denial or overpayment, you have the right to request a hearing before an administrative law judge.

Work History and Earnings Requirements

To be considered for benefits, you must have worked in South Carolina during the past 18 months and earned a minimum amount in wages. SCDEW looks at your earnings in the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file your claim. This is called your "base period."

You need to have earned at least $1,400 in your highest-earning quarter and at least $3,500 total across all four quarters of your base period. If you worked for multiple employers during that time, SCDEW adds all your wages together. Part-time work counts the same as full-time work — what matters is the total amount you earned.

If you have not worked long enough or earned enough to meet these thresholds, you will not be found to have a valid claim. There is no exception for recent job loss or hardship — the earnings requirement is fixed.

Reasons You May Be Denied Benefits

The most common reason for denial is the reason you left your job. You must have been laid off, had your hours cut, or been fired for reasons unrelated to your conduct. If you quit voluntarily — even if you had a good reason, like unsafe working conditions or a schedule conflict — you are typically ineligible unless you can show you had "good cause attributable to the employer."

Good cause is a high bar. It usually means the employer created a situation so intolerable that a reasonable person would have had to leave. A single incident or a minor complaint is not enough. You will need to show you told the employer about the problem and gave them a chance to fix it before you quit.

You are also ineligible if you were fired for misconduct. Misconduct means willful or negligent disregard of the employer's interests — not just poor performance or a mistake. Being late once or making an error is usually not misconduct. Repeated violations after warnings, theft, or violence would be.

Other disqualifications include refusing suitable work without good cause, failing to report for a job you were offered, or providing false information on your claim.

How to File Your Claim

You can file your claim online through the SCDEW website, by phone at 1-866-831-1724, or in person at a local SCDEW office. Online filing is fastest and available 24 hours a day. You will need your Social Security number, driver's license or ID number, and information about your recent employers — company name, address, phone number, and dates you worked there.

You should file as soon as possible after losing your job. There is no penalty for filing early, but waiting too long can affect when your benefits begin. SCDEW will contact your employer to verify the information you provided, so make sure the details are accurate.

After you file, SCDEW will send you a notice by mail with your claim number and the date of your first payment (if approved). Keep this notice — you will need the claim number to check your status or request a hearing if you are denied.

Weekly Certification and Work Search Requirements

Once your claim is approved, you must certify each week that you remain unemployed and meet the work search requirement. You do this by logging into your SCDEW account online or calling the automated system. Certification usually opens on Sundays and closes on Fridays of each week.

South Carolina requires you to search for work each week you claim benefits. You must make at least three work search contacts per week — explore for jobs, attending a job interview, or registering with a staffing agency all count. You do not have to submit proof of these contacts, but you must be able to describe them if SCDEW asks.

If you miss a weekly certification or fail to report your work search activities, your benefits will stop. You can restart them by certifying late, but there may be a delay in payment. If you miss multiple weeks, SCDEW may require you to reopen your claim.

What Happens If You Are Denied or Receive an Overpayment Notice

If SCDEW denies your claim, you will receive a written notice explaining the reason. You have 10 calendar days from the date on the notice to request a hearing. The hearing is conducted by an administrative law judge who will listen to both your side and your employer's side, then issue a written decision.

You can represent yourself at the hearing or bring a lawyer or other representative. SCDEW will provide a phone number to call if you cannot attend in person. If you lose the hearing, you can appeal to the South Carolina Court of Appeals, but you must file within 30 days of the hearing decision.

If SCDEW determines you were overpaid — for example, because you were ineligible but received benefits anyway — they will send you a notice asking you to repay the amount. You can request a hearing on the overpayment as well. If you cannot repay in full, you may be able to set up a payment plan.

Special Situations and Extended Benefits

If you are partially unemployed — meaning you are working part-time but earned less than your weekly benefit amount — you may still be able to claim benefits for the difference. You must report your part-time earnings each week, and SCDEW will reduce your benefit by a portion of what you earned.

If you are in a training program approved by SCDEW, you may be able to continue receiving benefits while you study, even if you are not actively searching for work. You must get approval before you start the program.

During periods of high unemployment, Congress sometimes passes legislation to extend benefits beyond the standard 12 weeks. These extensions are temporary and are announced by SCDEW. You do not have to do anything special to receive them — if you are still unemployed when the extension begins, your benefits will continue automatically.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I receive unemployment benefits while I am on vacation or out of state?

You can travel, but you must remain available for work and continue your work search. If you are out of state for an extended period, contact SCDEW to let them know. If you are unavailable for work — for example, because you are traveling and cannot interview for jobs — you should not claim benefits that week.

What if my employer contests my claim?

Your employer will receive a notice asking them to respond to your claim. If they say you quit or were fired for misconduct, SCDEW will investigate. You will be given a chance to respond to their version of events, either in writing or at a hearing. The burden is on your employer to prove you were ineligible.

How long does it take to get my first payment?

If your claim is approved, your first payment usually arrives within two to three weeks. The exact timing depends on how quickly your employer responds to SCDEW's verification request. You can check the status of your claim online using your claim number.

Can I work part-time and still receive unemployment benefits?

Yes. You can work part-time and claim benefits for the difference between your earnings and your weekly benefit amount. You must report all earnings each week, and SCDEW will calculate your reduced benefit. If you earn more than your weekly benefit amount, you will not receive a payment that week.

What should I do if I disagree with the amount of my weekly benefit?

Your benefit amount is based on your earnings during your base period. If you believe SCDEW calculated it incorrectly, you can request a hearing to challenge the amount. You will need to provide pay stubs or other proof of your actual earnings during that period.