South Carolina's unemployment system and who can file
South Carolina's Department of Employment and Workforce (SCDEW) runs the state's unemployment insurance program. You file through their online portal, by phone, or by mail — though online is fastest and most reliable. The program covers workers who lost a job through no fault of their own, were laid off, had hours cut significantly, or were separated from work due to circumstances beyond your control.
You must have earned enough wages in South Carolina during a specific lookback period (usually the past 12 to 18 months) to establish a claim. The state does not have a minimum income threshold published as a single dollar amount; instead, SCDEW calculates your weekly benefit amount based on your highest quarter of earnings in that lookback period. If you worked in South Carolina for only part of the year, you may still file — the department will review your wage history to determine if you meet the earnings requirement.
Self-employed workers, gig workers, and independent contractors do not typically may have access to for regular unemployment insurance in South Carolina. However, during federal emergency periods, Pandemic Unemployment information (PUA) has been available to these groups — check SCDEW's website to see if any such program is currently active.
Key Takeaways
- File online through SCDEW's portal at scdew.sc.gov, or call 1-866-831-1724 if you cannot use the website.
- You need your Social Security number, driver's license or ID number, and a list of employers from the past 18 months with dates and reasons for separation.
- South Carolina's maximum weekly benefit is set each year and varies based on your highest quarter of earnings; the state does not pay a flat rate.
- Your first payment typically arrives one to three weeks after SCDEW approves your claim, and you must file weekly certifications to continue receiving payments.
- If you quit your job, were fired for misconduct, or are receiving severance or pension payments, you may be disqualified or have your benefits reduced.
How to file your claim online or by phone
The fastest way to file is through SCDEW's online portal at scdew.sc.gov. Create an account, log in, and select "File a New Claim." The system will walk you through questions about your employment history, reason for separation, and current job search status. Have your information ready before you start: your Social Security number, driver's license or state ID number, and details about each employer you worked for in the past 18 months, including the company name, address, phone number, your job title, dates employed, and the reason you left or were let go.
If you cannot file online, call the SCDEW claims line at 1-866-831-1724. Wait times are longest on Mondays and Tuesdays. A representative will take your information over the phone and file the claim for you. You can also mail a paper process, though this is the slowest method — mail it to South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce, P.O. Box 995, Columbia, SC 29202. Paper claims take two to three weeks to process.
After you file, SCDEW will send you a notice by mail with your claim number and instructions for weekly certification. Do not wait for this notice to start certifying — you can log back into your account and certify for weeks as soon as your claim is filed, even if it has not been approved yet. Certifying early protects your payment dates.
What information and documents you need before you start
Gather these items before you open your claim:
- Your Social Security number and date of birth.
- A valid photo ID — driver's license, state ID, or passport number.
- Employment history for the past 18 months: For each job, write down the employer's name, address, phone number, your job title, the dates you worked there (start and end month/year), your hourly rate or salary, and the reason you left (laid off, quit, fired, hours cut, etc.).
- Your bank account information if you want direct deposit. SCDEW can mail a debit card instead, but direct deposit is faster.
- Contact information for your last employer — SCDEW will contact them to verify your separation and wages.
If you were fired, have a written explanation of what happened ready. SCDEW will ask whether the separation was due to your misconduct, and your answer affects whether you are disqualified. If you quit, write down the specific reason — "unsafe working conditions," "no childcare," "medical reasons," or "employer cut my hours" are examples. Vague reasons like "personal reasons" slow down the review.
How South Carolina calculates your weekly benefit amount
South Carolina does not pay a flat weekly amount to all claimants. Instead, SCDEW looks at your highest quarter of earnings in the past 18 months and divides that by 13 to get an average weekly wage. Your weekly benefit is then a percentage of that average — currently 50 percent in most cases, though this can change by state law. The state also sets a maximum weekly benefit amount each year; for 2024, that maximum is $387 per week, though you should confirm the current year's maximum on SCDEW's website.
For example, if your highest quarter of earnings was $5,200, your average weekly wage would be about $400. Your weekly benefit would be 50 percent of that, or $200 — but if the state maximum is $387, you would receive $200 because it is below the cap. If your average weekly wage was $800, your benefit would be capped at $387.
Your benefit period lasts 26 weeks from the date your claim is approved, though you only receive payment for weeks you certify and are found not disqualified. If you exhaust your 26 weeks and are still unemployed, you may be able to file for an extension, but extensions are not automatic and depend on state and federal law at the time.
Weekly certification and how to stay on track
Every week you receive benefits, you must certify that you are still unemployed and looking for work. Log into your SCDEW account and answer questions about your job search activity, any income you earned that week, and whether you refused any job offers. You must certify by the important date shown in your account — usually the Sunday or Monday after the week ends. If you miss the important date, your payment is delayed until you certify, even if you were unemployed that entire week.
When you certify, report any part-time work, gig work, or self-employment income you earned that week. South Carolina allows you to earn up to one-third of your weekly benefit amount without losing any payment; earnings above that reduce your benefit dollar-for-dollar. For example, if your weekly benefit is $300 and you earned $100, you keep the full $300. If you earned $150, your benefit is reduced by $50 (the amount over one-third).
Do not skip a week of certification even if you think you are not may be able to access that week. Certify honestly, report your income, and let SCDEW make the decision. Skipping weeks can result in a gap in your payment schedule and may trigger an investigation if you later claim you were unemployed during that time.
Reasons you may be disqualified or have benefits reduced
South Carolina will disqualify you or reduce your benefits if you quit your job without good cause, were fired for misconduct, or are receiving certain types of income. "Good cause" means a reason that would make a reasonable person leave — unsafe conditions, wage theft, a significant cut in hours, or medical reasons are examples. Quitting because you found another job, did not like your boss, or wanted a raise is not good cause.
"Misconduct" means you deliberately broke a rule, were repeatedly warned and ignored the warning, or acted recklessly. Being late once or making a small mistake is not misconduct. Being late repeatedly after warnings, stealing, or showing up intoxicated are examples of misconduct.
You are also disqualified if you are receiving a pension or retirement payment from a former employer, severance pay, or workers' compensation. Some of these payments reduce your benefit rather than eliminate it — SCDEW will calculate the offset. If you are receiving unemployment from another state, you cannot also receive South Carolina benefits for the same week.
If SCDEW denies your claim or reduces your benefits, you will receive a written notice explaining the reason. You have the right to appeal within 10 days of the notice date. File your appeal through your online account or by calling 1-866-831-1724. An appeal hearing is held by phone or video, and you can present evidence and witnesses to support your case.
Timeline from filing to first payment
If you file online, SCDEW typically processes your claim within three to five business days. During that time, they contact your employer to verify your separation and wages. Once approved, your first payment is issued within one to three weeks, depending on whether you chose direct deposit or a debit card. Direct deposit is faster — usually one week after approval. Debit cards are mailed and can take two to three weeks to arrive.
If there is a problem with your claim — for example, your employer disputes your separation reason or your wage information does not match their records — SCDEW will contact you and may delay approval while they investigate. This can add one to two weeks to the timeline. If you filed by phone or mail, add another one to two weeks to the entire process.
Do not wait for your first payment to arrive before you start looking for work. SCDEW requires you to be actively searching for employment while you receive benefits, and you must report your job search activity when you certify each week.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file for South Carolina unemployment if I worked in another state?
If you worked in South Carolina and earned enough wages there, you can file in South Carolina even if you also worked in another state. However, if you earned most of your wages in another state, you should file there instead — that state will have a higher benefit amount. You can only receive unemployment from one state for the same week, so file in the state where you earned the most in your highest quarter.
What happens if my employer contests my claim?
Your employer can file a protest saying you quit without good cause or were fired for misconduct. SCDEW will contact you and ask for your side of the story. If there is a disagreement, you will be offered a hearing. Bring any written evidence — emails, text messages, performance reviews, or a written statement from coworkers. The hearing officer will decide based on the evidence presented.
Do I have to report job offers I turn down?
Yes. When you certify, you must report whether you refused any job offers. If you turn down a job that is suitable work at a reasonable wage, SCDEW may disqualify you. "Suitable work" means work in your field or a related field at a wage close to what you earned before. You can refuse work that is unsafe, pays significantly less, or requires you to abandon childcare or medical treatment.
Can I receive unemployment while I am in school or training?
You can receive unemployment while in school if you are still actively looking for work and available to work full-time. However, if you are in a full-time training program that prevents you from working, you are not may be able to access. Some federal programs, like WIOA training, allow you to receive unemployment while training — ask SCDEW whether your specific program qualifies.
What if I move out of South Carolina while receiving benefits?
You can continue to receive South Carolina unemployment if you move, as long as you remain available and able to work. However, if you move to another state and find work there, you must report it. If you move and are no longer available to work in South Carolina, you should contact SCDEW to close your claim. Some states have reciprocal agreements that allow you to transfer your claim, but this is not automatic — call SCDEW to ask.