What the South Carolina Department of Employment and Wages does

The South Carolina Department of Employment and Wages (SCDEW) is the state agency that processes unemployment claims and maintains the system where you file. When you lose a job through no fault of your own, you file through SCDEW's online portal or by phone. SCDEW determines whether you meet South Carolina's rules, calculates your weekly benefit amount based on your past earnings, and sends payments to your bank account or debit card.

SCDEW also handles appeals if your claim is denied, manages work-search requirements, and tracks whether you are meeting the conditions to keep receiving benefits. The agency does not decide whether you were fired for cause or quit — it reviews the facts you and your employer submit and applies state law to them.

Key Takeaways

  • File through SCDEW's online portal at www.scdew.org or call 866-831-1724 to file by phone; online filing is faster and shows your status in real time.
  • You will need your Social Security number, driver's license or ID number, and your most recent pay stub or W-2 to start a claim.
  • South Carolina requires you to earn at least $1,050 in a single calendar quarter during your base period to meet the minimum earnings rule.
  • Weekly benefits range from $42 to $370 depending on your past wages, and you can receive them for up to 12 weeks in most circumstances.
  • You must report any work, income, or refusal to take a job offer when you file your weekly claim, or you may lose benefits and owe money back.

How to file your initial claim online

Go to www.scdew.org and select "File a New Claim" under the Unemployment Insurance section. You will create a login account with your email and a password, then answer questions about your job loss, your employer, and your work history. The system asks for your Social Security number, date of birth, driver's license or state ID number, and your address.

Have your most recent pay stub or W-2 ready so you can enter your gross weekly or annual earnings. The system will ask whether you were laid off, had your hours cut, or quit, and whether you were fired. Answer honestly — SCDEW will contact your employer to verify what happened, and lying can result in overpayment demands and fraud charges. After you submit, you will receive a confirmation number and can check your claim status by logging back in.

Processing usually takes 7 to 10 business days. During that time, SCDEW sends a form to your former employer asking them to confirm the reason for separation. If your employer disputes your account, SCDEW will contact you to respond before making a decision.

Filing by phone if you cannot use the online system

Call the SCDEW Unemployment Insurance Claims line at 866-831-1724. The line is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern time. Have your Social Security number, driver's license or state ID number, and information about your last job ready before you call. Wait times are often long, especially early in the week and during high-volume periods.

A representative will ask you the same questions the online form does: when you stopped working, why you stopped, your employer's name and address, and your earnings. They will file the claim on your behalf and give you a confirmation number. You will still need to file weekly claims online or by phone once your initial claim is processed.

What information you need before you start

Gather these documents and details before you file:

  • Your Social Security number
  • Your driver's license or South Carolina state ID number
  • Your most recent pay stub, W-2, or a record of your gross weekly earnings
  • Your former employer's name, address, and phone number
  • The date you stopped working
  • The reason you stopped working (laid off, quit, fired, hours cut)
  • Your bank account number and routing number if you want direct deposit (optional but faster than a debit card)

If you worked for more than one employer in the past 18 months, have information about each one. SCDEW uses your earnings from the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters (called your "base period") to calculate your benefit amount, so older jobs may matter.

How weekly claims work and what you must report

After your initial claim is approved, you must file a weekly claim every week you want to receive a benefit payment. You can file online at www.scdew.org or by phone at 866-831-1724. The weekly claim asks whether you worked, earned any income, refused any job offers, or had any other changes in your situation.

You must report all work and income, even if it is part-time or temporary. If you earned money and do not report it, SCDEW will discover it when your employer files quarterly wage reports, and you will owe the overpayment back plus possible penalties. You must also report if you refused a job offer or if you quit a job during that week. Failing to report these things can disqualify you from benefits.

File your weekly claim by the important date shown in your account — usually the Sunday of the week you are claiming. If you miss the important date, you lose that week's payment and cannot go back to claim it later.

Benefit amounts and how long you can receive them

Your weekly benefit amount depends on your gross earnings during your base period. South Carolina calculates it as roughly one-third of your average weekly wage, up to a maximum of $370 per week. The minimum is $42 per week if you meet the earnings rule. You can receive benefits for up to 12 weeks in a benefit year (a 12-month period starting when you file).

During periods of high state unemployment, South Carolina may offer extended benefits that add up to 13 additional weeks, but this is not automatic and depends on the state's unemployment rate. SCDEW will notify you if you become may be able to access for extended benefits.

Payments are sent to your bank account by direct deposit or to a debit card issued by SCDEW. Direct deposit is faster — usually 2 to 3 business days after you file your weekly claim. Debit card payments take 3 to 5 business days.

What disqualifies you or ends your benefits

You lose benefits if you quit your job without good cause, are fired for misconduct, or refuse a suitable job offer without good reason. "Good cause" and "suitable" have specific meanings under South Carolina law — quitting because of low pay or a long commute usually does not count as good cause, but quitting because of unsafe working conditions or unpaid wages may.

You also lose benefits if you do not report work or income, do not file your weekly claim by the important date, or do not meet the work-search requirements. South Carolina requires you to search for work and document your efforts; SCDEW may ask you to show proof of job applications or interviews.

If you are disqualified, SCDEW sends you a notice explaining why. You have the right to appeal within 10 days of the notice date. An appeal hearing is held by phone or video, and you can present evidence and witnesses to challenge the decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get my first payment?

Processing your initial claim takes 7 to 10 business days. Once approved, your first weekly claim payment is sent 2 to 3 business days after you file it if you use direct deposit, or 3 to 5 days if you use a debit card. In total, expect 10 to 15 days from filing to receiving your first payment.

Can I file if I was fired?

You can file, but you will only receive benefits if you were fired for reasons other than misconduct. If your employer says you were fired for breaking a rule, being late, or poor performance, SCDEW will review the details. If the employer cannot show you were warned or that the rule was reasonable, you may still be approved.

What happens if my employer contests my claim?

SCDEW sends your employer a form asking them to explain the separation. If they say you quit or were fired for cause, SCDEW will contact you to respond. You can submit written evidence, witness statements, or ask for a hearing. The decision is based on which account is more credible under South Carolina law.

Do I have to report gig work or self-employment income?

Yes. Any income you earn, including from gig work, freelance jobs, or self-employment, must be reported on your weekly claim. Gig income reduces your benefit dollar-for-dollar, so reporting it honestly is important to avoid overpayment.

What if I move out of South Carolina while receiving benefits?

You can continue to receive South Carolina benefits if you move, but you must continue to file weekly claims and meet work-search requirements. If you move to another state, contact SCDEW to ask about interstate benefit portability, as some states have agreements with South Carolina.