How South Carolina's unemployment system works

South Carolina's Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW) runs the state's unemployment insurance program. You file your claim directly with DEW, either online through their website or by phone. The state processes claims within one to two weeks if your information is complete and matches employer records.

South Carolina uses a weekly claim system: you file an initial claim that covers your separation from work, then you file weekly claims to continue receiving payments. Both steps happen through the same online portal or by phone. The state pays by debit card (called a benefits card) that arrives in the mail within seven to ten business days after your claim is approved.

The maximum weekly benefit amount in South Carolina varies based on your earnings history, but the state sets a cap that changes yearly. You can work part-time and still receive partial benefits if your earnings fall below a certain threshold each week. The state deducts dollar-for-dollar from your benefit amount for any wages you earn.

Key Takeaways

  • File your initial claim with the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce online at scworks.org or by calling 866-831-1724 within two weeks of losing your job.
  • You must file a weekly claim every week you want to receive benefits, and you can do this online, by phone, or through the mobile app.
  • Have your Social Security number, driver's license or ID number, and your most recent pay stub ready before you start your process.
  • South Carolina requires you to report any work you do during the week, including self-employment and gig work, because it reduces your weekly benefit amount.
  • If your claim is denied, you have the right to request a hearing before an administrative law judge within 30 days of the denial notice.

What you need before you file

Gather these documents and information before you start your claim. You will need your Social Security number, your date of birth, and your current mailing address. Have your driver's license or state ID number ready, along with your passport number if you do not have a state ID.

Collect information about your most recent job: the company name, the address where you worked, your job title, the date you started, and the date you left. If you were laid off or had your hours cut, have the reason ready. If you quit, you will need to explain why — South Carolina requires you to show that you had good cause related to work (such as unsafe conditions or a substantial cut in pay) or you may be denied.

If you worked for more than one employer in the past 18 months, write down the names, addresses, and dates for each job. Have your most recent pay stub or a record of your last few paychecks so you can verify your earnings. If you are self-employed or a contractor, gather records of your income from the past year.

Filing your initial claim online

Go to scworks.org and click "File a Claim" under the unemployment section. You will create a login account using your email address and a password. The system will ask you to verify your identity by answering security questions or uploading a photo ID — this step can take a few minutes.

Fill in your personal information, then answer questions about your employment history. The form asks why you left your job, whether you were fired, laid off, or quit, and whether you received any severance or vacation payout. Be honest and specific: if you quit, explain the reason in detail. If you were fired, describe what happened.

Enter information about your employer: the company name, address, phone number, and the name of your supervisor or HR contact if you know it. The system will try to match your employer to DEW's records. If your employer is not found, you can add the information manually, but this may slow down processing because DEW will contact the employer to verify your employment.

Review your claim before you submit it. Once you submit, you will receive a confirmation number — save this. DEW will send you an email and a letter in the mail within three to five business days with your claim number and next steps.

Filing weekly claims and reporting work

After your initial claim is approved, you must file a weekly claim every week to continue receiving benefits. You can file online at scworks.org, call the automated phone line at 866-831-1724, or use the South Carolina Works mobile app. File your weekly claim on the same day each week — the system opens claims for filing on Sunday and closes them on Friday.

When you file your weekly claim, you will answer whether you worked that week, whether you earned any money, and whether you looked for work. If you worked, report your gross earnings (before taxes) for that week. South Carolina subtracts what you earned from your weekly benefit amount, so if you earned more than your weekly benefit, you receive nothing that week.

Report all work, including part-time jobs, gig work, freelance projects, and self-employment income. If you do not report work and DEW finds out later, you may be required to repay benefits and face penalties. If you are job searching, you do not have to prove it by listing specific employers you contacted, but you should be prepared to describe your search if DEW asks.

File your weekly claim by Friday of the week you are claiming. If you miss the important date, you can file late, but your payment may be delayed. If you do not file a weekly claim, your benefits stop automatically — you do not have to do anything to pause them, but you must file again to restart them.

What happens if your claim is denied

DEW may deny your claim if your employer disputes that you were laid off, if you quit without good cause, if you were fired for misconduct, or if your earnings do not meet the state's minimum threshold. You will receive a written notice explaining the reason for the denial.

You have 30 days from the date on the denial notice to request a hearing. File your appeal by mail, online at scworks.org, or by phone at 866-831-1724. You do not have to pay a fee to appeal. At the hearing, an administrative law judge will listen to your side of the story and your employer's side, then make a decision. You can represent yourself or bring a lawyer or representative.

If you disagree with the hearing decision, you can appeal to the South Carolina Court of Appeals, but you must file within 30 days. Most people do not need a lawyer for the first hearing, but if you appeal to court, you may want legal help.

Working while receiving benefits

You can work part-time and still receive unemployment benefits in South Carolina, but your earnings reduce your weekly payment. The state allows you to earn a small amount each week without losing benefits — this is called the earnings disregard, and the amount changes yearly. Once you earn more than the disregard, DEW subtracts your earnings dollar-for-dollar from your benefit.

For example, if your weekly benefit is $300 and the earnings disregard is $50, you can earn up to $50 without losing any benefit. If you earn $150 that week, DEW pays you $200 ($300 minus the $100 over the disregard). If you earn $350 or more, you receive no benefit that week, but you still file your weekly claim to keep your claim active.

Report your earnings honestly and completely. If you work multiple jobs or have gig income, add all of it together for the week. Self-employment income counts the same way as wages. If you do not report work and DEW discovers it through employer records or tax documents, you will owe back the benefits you received and may face fraud charges.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get my first payment?

If your claim is approved without issues, your benefits card arrives within seven to ten business days after approval. Your first payment appears on the card within one to two weeks after you file your initial claim. If your employer disputes your claim or if information does not match DEW's records, processing takes longer — sometimes three to four weeks.

What if I was fired? Can I still get benefits?

You can receive benefits if you were fired, but only if you were not fired for misconduct. Misconduct means you deliberately broke a rule, refused to follow instructions, or acted recklessly. If you were fired for poor performance, not being a good fit, or a single mistake, you likely still may have access to. When you file, explain what happened honestly — DEW will contact your employer to verify.

Do I have to look for work while receiving benefits?

South Carolina does not require you to prove that you are actively job searching or to report specific employers you contacted. However, you must answer "yes" or "no" each week about whether you looked for work. If you are not searching and you answer truthfully, you may still receive benefits, but DEW can ask you to provide details about your search at any time.

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

You can move and continue to receive South Carolina benefits if you are still looking for work in the state or if you have a job lined up there. If you move permanently and are not planning to return, contact DEW to close your claim. If you move to another state and find work there, you will file for that state's unemployment instead.

Can I receive benefits if I am self-employed?

Self-employed people do not normally may have access to for regular unemployment benefits in South Carolina. However, if you were a W-2 employee and lost that job, you may have access to even if you also have self-employment income. Report your self-employment earnings each week when you file your weekly claim, because they reduce your benefit amount the same way wages do.