What South Carolina Unemployment Covers
South Carolina's unemployment insurance program pays weekly benefits to workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. The state's Department of Employment and Workforce (SCDEW) runs the program. You receive money for a set number of weeks while you search for work, but the amount and duration depend on your work history and the reason you left your job.
The program does not cover people who quit without good cause, were fired for misconduct, or are self-employed. It also does not cover independent contractors, gig workers, or certain agricultural and domestic workers. If you were laid off, had your hours cut, or were let go due to lack of work, you are more likely to meet the basic requirement.
South Carolina's maximum weekly benefit is $378 as of 2024, though your actual amount will be lower based on your recent earnings. The state typically pays for up to 12 weeks of regular unemployment benefits, though this can extend during periods of high joblessness. You must actively search for work and report your job search efforts to keep receiving payments.
Key Takeaways
- You must have worked in South Carolina for at least two of the last five calendar quarters and earned a minimum amount to receive benefits.
- You file your claim through SCDEW's website or by phone, and the state has 21 days to make an initial information on your claim.
- Quitting your job, being fired for misconduct, or refusing suitable work can disqualify you, but layoffs and lack of work do not.
- You must report your job search activities each week and certify that you are able and willing to work to continue receiving payments.
- If SCDEW denies your claim, you have the right to request a hearing before an administrative law judge within 30 days of the denial letter.
Work History and Earnings Requirements
South Carolina requires you to have worked during at least two of the last five calendar quarters before you file your claim. A calendar quarter runs from January through March, April through June, July through September, and October through December. This means if you file in November 2024, SCDEW will look back at your work history from January 2019 onward.
You must also have earned a minimum amount during your base period — the first four of those five calendar quarters. As of 2024, you need to have earned at least $3,600 total during your base period, with at least $900 in one quarter. These amounts do not change year to year, but SCDEW updates them annually, so check the current requirement when you file.
If you worked part-time or had gaps in employment, you can still meet the requirement as long as you hit both the total and the single-quarter minimum. Seasonal workers and those who worked for multiple employers during the base period should gather pay stubs or tax documents showing all earnings, because SCDEW will verify your work history through wage records.
Reasons You May Be Disqualified
SCDEW will deny your claim if you quit your job without good cause. "Good cause" means a reason connected to your work — such as unsafe conditions, a substantial cut in pay or hours, or harassment — not personal reasons like moving closer to family or wanting a different schedule. If you left because of illness or injury, you may still be disqualified unless you can show the employer could not accommodate you.
You are also disqualified if you were fired for misconduct. Misconduct means willful or negligent violation of your employer's reasonable rules or deliberate disregard of the employer's interests. A single mistake or poor performance usually does not count as misconduct, but repeated violations, theft, violence, or being under the influence at work do. Your employer must prove misconduct; SCDEW does not assume it.
Refusing suitable work disqualifies you. Suitable work means a job in your field or a job you are physically able to do, even if it pays less than your previous job. However, you can refuse work that pays significantly less, requires you to join a union if you object, or involves unreasonable travel. If you refuse work, SCDEW will ask your employer why you refused and whether the work was truly suitable before making a final decision.
How to File Your Claim
You file your unemployment claim through SCDEW's website at dew.sc.gov or by calling 1-866-831-1724. The online system is faster and allows you to upload documents when ready. You will need your Social Security number, driver's license or ID number, and information about your last employer — including the company name, address, phone number, and the dates you worked there.
Have your recent pay stubs or tax documents ready, because SCDEW will ask about your earnings. If you were laid off, have the reason ready — for example, "lack of work" or "plant closure." If you quit or were fired, you will need to explain why. Be honest and specific; vague answers slow down the process.
SCDEW has 21 days from the date you file to make an initial information. You will receive a letter in the mail stating whether your claim was approved or denied. If approved, you will receive a debit card in the mail within one to two weeks. Do not wait for the card to start your weekly certifications — you must certify each week online or by phone to receive payment.
Weekly Certifications and Job Search Requirements
After you file, you must certify each week that you are unemployed, able to work, and actively searching for a job. You certify through SCDEW's website or by phone, usually on the same day each week. Failing to certify stops your payments until you do, so mark the day on your calendar.
When you certify, you report how many hours you worked that week (if any), whether you are still able and willing to work, and details about your job search. SCDEW expects you to search for work each week — this might mean explore to jobs online, attending interviews, contacting employers, or using a job search service. Keep a record of where you applied and when, because SCDEW may ask you to provide this information.
If you find part-time work, you can still receive partial benefits. SCDEW reduces your weekly payment by a portion of your earnings, so you do not lose the entire benefit if you work a few hours. Report all earnings honestly; underreporting can result in overpayment demands and penalties.
What Happens If Your Claim Is Denied
If SCDEW denies your claim, you will receive a letter explaining the reason — usually that you do not meet the work history requirement, quit without good cause, or were fired for misconduct. The letter will include the date you must request a hearing if you disagree. You have 30 days from the date of the denial letter to file a request for a hearing.
Request your hearing through SCDEW's website or by mail. At the hearing, an administrative law judge will listen to your side of the story and your employer's side. You can bring documents, witnesses, or a representative. The judge will decide whether to overturn the denial or uphold it. If you disagree with the judge's decision, you can appeal to the South Carolina Court of Appeals, though this is rare and requires legal grounds.
While your appeal is pending, you do not receive benefits. If you eventually win your appeal, SCDEW will pay you back pay for all the weeks you were denied, minus any earnings you had during that time. This process can take several months, so do not assume your claim will be approved just because you filed.
Special Circumstances and Extended Benefits
If you are partially unemployed — meaning your hours were cut but you still work — you may receive partial benefits. Report your actual hours and earnings each week, and SCDEW will calculate a reduced payment. This applies whether you work for your original employer or found new part-time work.
During periods of very high unemployment, South Carolina may offer extended benefits beyond the standard 12 weeks. These are triggered automatically when the state's unemployment rate reaches a certain level. SCDEW will notify you if you are on extended benefits; you do not need to do anything special to receive them.
If you are receiving benefits and return to full-time work, your benefits stop when ready. You do not need to notify SCDEW — the employer reports your return to work through wage records. If you later lose that job, you can file a new claim, but SCDEW will use a new base period to determine your benefit amount.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to receive my first payment?
SCDEW has 21 days to make an initial information on your claim. If approved, your debit card arrives within one to two weeks. Your first payment posts to the card after you complete your first weekly certification. In total, expect four to six weeks from filing to receiving your first payment.
Can I receive unemployment if I was laid off due to a business closure?
Yes. A business closure is a layoff due to lack of work, which is a covered reason. File your claim as soon as you know the closure date. Your employer must report the closure to SCDEW, and this usually speeds up approval.
What if my employer contests my claim?
Your employer can file a protest within 10 days of receiving notice of your claim. If they do, SCDEW will investigate before making a final decision. You will be notified if your employer protests and given a chance to respond. The hearing process applies if you disagree with SCDEW's decision.
Do I have to report income from gig work or side jobs?
Yes. Report all earnings, including gig work, freelance income, and self-employment, on your weekly certification. SCDEW reduces your benefit by a portion of these earnings. Failing to report income is fraud and can result in overpayment demands and criminal charges.
Can I receive unemployment while I am in school or training?
You can receive unemployment while in school only if you are not in full-time training. If you are in a full-time training program approved by SCDEW, you may be able to receive benefits under a special program, but you must request this when you file. Part-time classes or evening school do not disqualify you as long as you are available for work.