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 total weeks you can receive payments depend on the state's current unemployment rate.

Weekly benefit amounts in South Carolina range from $20 to $371 per week, though the exact amount depends on your prior wages. The number of weeks available varies: when unemployment is low, you typically receive up to 12 weeks of benefits; when unemployment is higher, the state may extend this to 20 weeks. You do not choose the amount or duration — DEW calculates both based on your wage history and current economic conditions.

Unlike some states, South Carolina does not offer a federal-state extended benefits program during recessions, so once your state benefits end, you have no automatic extension unless Congress passes a temporary federal program.

Key Takeaways

  • You must have earned at least $1,400 in your base period (the first four of the five calendar quarters before you filed) to have any benefit amount at all.
  • South Carolina requires you to file a new claim every week you want to receive a payment, not just once at the start.
  • You must be able and available to work, actively looking for work, and report all earnings and job offers to DEW each week.
  • Leaving a job without good cause, being fired for misconduct, or refusing suitable work will disqualify you from benefits.
  • You can file online through the DEW website or by phone, and most people receive their first payment within two to three weeks of filing.

Earnings Requirements and Your Base Period

South Carolina uses a base period to decide whether you have earned enough to receive any benefits at all. Your base period is the first four of the five calendar quarters when ready before the quarter in which you file your claim. For example, if you file in March 2024, your base period runs from January 2023 through December 2023.

You must have earned at least $1,400 total during your base period to have a benefit amount. You also must have earned wages in at least two separate quarters during that period. If you earned $1,200 in one quarter and $300 in another, you meet both tests. If you earned $2,000 in a single quarter and nothing in the others, you fail the second test and receive no benefits.

Once you meet the $1,400 threshold, DEW divides your total base period earnings by 26 to calculate your weekly benefit amount. If you earned $2,600 in your base period, your weekly benefit would be $100. The state then rounds down to the nearest dollar and applies the weekly minimum ($20) and maximum ($371, though this changes annually).

Work Search Requirements and Reporting Obligations

South Carolina requires you to be able and available to work and to actively seek work each week you claim benefits. This means you must be physically and mentally capable of working, willing to accept suitable work, and taking concrete steps to find employment.

You do not need to provide proof of job applications or contacts to DEW upfront, but the state can request documentation at any time. If you are audited and cannot show that you looked for work, your benefits can be stopped and you may owe money back. "Looking for work" typically means explore for jobs, attending interviews, using job boards, contacting employers, or working with a recruiter — not just checking job listings.

You must file a new claim every week, even if you filed the previous week. When you file, you report whether you worked, how much you earned, whether you refused any job offers, and whether you had any contact with a potential employer. Failing to file a weekly claim means you receive no payment that week, even if you were otherwise may have access to.

Reasons You May Be Disqualified

South Carolina disqualifies you from benefits if you left your job without good cause. Good cause means a reason a reasonable person would consider serious enough to quit — for example, unsafe working conditions, wage theft, or a significant change in job duties. Leaving because you found a different job, did not like the commute, or had a personality conflict with your manager is not good cause.

You are also disqualified if you were fired for misconduct. Misconduct means willful or negligent violation of your employer's reasonable rules or standards. Being late once is not misconduct; a pattern of tardiness despite warnings is. Theft, violence, or being under the influence at work are misconduct. Mistakes in judgment or poor performance without willfulness are usually not misconduct.

Refusing suitable work disqualifies you. Suitable work means a job that matches your skills, experience, and physical ability, and pays at least 75 percent of your previous wage. If you were a carpenter earning $20 per hour and a job pays $15 per hour, you can refuse it. If it pays $16 per hour, refusing it may disqualify you.

You are also disqualified if you are receiving workers' compensation for temporary total disability, if you are in prison, or if you are receiving a pension from a government employer based on your own service (such as a military retirement).

How to File and What Documents You Need

You file a claim through the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce website at dew.sc.gov. You can also file by phone at 1-866-831-1724. You do not need to visit an office in person.

When you file, have the following information ready: your Social Security number, driver's license or state ID number, your most recent employer's name and address, the date you last worked, and the reason you are no longer employed. If you were laid off, have the date the layoff took effect. If you quit, be prepared to explain why.

You do not need to upload documents to file the initial claim, but DEW may request documents later. Common requests include your most recent pay stub, your separation notice from your employer, or proof that you have been looking for work. Responding to these requests within the important date DEW gives you is important — failure to respond can result in your claim being denied.

After you file, DEW sends a notice to your last employer asking whether they dispute your claim. If your employer says you were fired for misconduct or left without good cause, DEW holds a hearing where you can explain your side. You have the right to attend this hearing and present evidence.

Weekly Filing and Payment Timing

Every week you want to receive a payment, you must file a weekly claim. You can do this online through your DEW account or by phone. The weekly claim asks whether you worked that week, how much you earned, and whether you had any job contacts or offers.

If you worked part-time and earned wages, you still file a weekly claim. DEW reduces your benefit payment by a portion of your earnings — typically, you keep your full benefit if you earn less than one-quarter of your weekly benefit amount, and DEW deducts 50 cents for every dollar you earn above that threshold. If your weekly benefit is $200 and you earned $100, you lose $50 of your benefit.

Payments are issued by debit card (EBT) or direct deposit, depending on how you set up your account. Most people receive their first payment within two to three weeks of filing their initial claim, though this can vary if DEW needs to verify information with your employer or if there is a delay in processing.

Earnings, Part-Time Work, and Reporting Requirements

You can work part-time and still receive unemployment benefits, but you must report all earnings. South Carolina allows you to earn a small amount without losing your full benefit — this is called the earnings disregard. The disregard is typically one-quarter of your weekly benefit amount, but this can change.

If your weekly benefit is $200, you can earn approximately $50 without losing any benefit. If you earn $150, you lose about $50 of your benefit (50 cents for every dollar over the disregard). If you earn more than your weekly benefit amount, you receive no payment that week, but your claim remains open and you can receive benefits in future weeks when your earnings are lower.

You must report all earnings, including cash payments, tips, and self-employment income. Failing to report earnings is fraud and can result in overpayment demands, disqualification, and criminal charges in serious cases.

What Happens If You Disagree With a Decision

If DEW denies your claim or stops your payments, you receive a written notice explaining the reason. You have the right to request a hearing before an administrative law judge. You must request the hearing within 10 days of the notice date.

At the hearing, you can present evidence and witnesses, and your employer can do the same. The judge issues a decision, which you can appeal to the South Carolina Court of Appeals if you disagree. Most people represent themselves at these hearings, though you can hire an attorney if you choose.

While you wait for a hearing, your benefits may continue or may stop depending on the reason for the denial. If DEW says you quit without good cause, your benefits stop when ready. If DEW says you did not meet the earnings requirement, your benefits were never active, so there is nothing to continue.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. A layoff due to lack of work, reduction in force, or business closure is not your fault, so you are not disqualified. You must still meet the earnings requirement and actively look for work, but the reason for job loss does not bar you from benefits.

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

You have the right to a hearing where you can explain what happened. Bring any evidence you have — emails, text messages, witness statements, or documentation of the employer's policies. The judge decides whether the employer proved misconduct by clear and convincing evidence. If you win, your benefits are restored and you may receive back pay.

Do I have to look for work in my old job field, or can I look for any job?

You must look for work that is suitable for you, which typically means work that matches your skills and experience. You do not have to take a job in a completely different field if it pays significantly less, but as time passes and your benefits near their end, the definition of suitable work may broaden. After several weeks, you may be expected to consider jobs outside your field.

What if I am self-employed or a gig worker?

Self-employment income counts toward your base period earnings if you reported it to the IRS. However, gig work and contract work are often classified as self-employment, which means you may not be covered by unemployment insurance at all. Ask DEW whether your specific type of work is covered before you file.

Can I receive unemployment while I am in school or taking classes?

You can receive unemployment while attending school part-time, as long as you are able and available to work and actively looking for work. Full-time enrollment in school typically disqualifies you because you are not available to work. If you are unsure whether your school schedule meets the part-time requirement, contact DEW before filing.