North Carolina's $600 Weekly Supplement Ended in September 2021

North Carolina received federal funding for a $600 weekly unemployment supplement that ran from late March 2020 through early September 2021. This extra payment was added on top of your regular state unemployment benefit each week you were receiving benefits. The program has ended, and no new claims for this supplement are being accepted.

If you received this payment during the period it was active, you may still have questions about what happened to your account, whether you owe money back, or what other benefits might be available to you now. This guide explains what that program was, who received it, and what your options are if you need income support today.

Key Takeaways

  • The $600 weekly federal supplement ended in early September 2021 and is not available for new claims.
  • You received this payment automatically if you were already collecting unemployment benefits during the months the program was active.
  • Some people were asked to repay part of the $600 supplement if they were later found to have been ineligible for unemployment that week.
  • North Carolina currently offers regular unemployment benefits and Pandemic Unemployment information (PUA) for self-employed workers, though these programs have different rules than the 2020–2021 emergency programs.
  • If you need income support now, you can file a new claim with the North Carolina Division of Employment Security or explore other state and local information programs.

Who Received the $600 Payment and When

The $600 Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) was a temporary program funded by the federal government. North Carolina began paying it in late March 2020 to anyone who was already receiving unemployment benefits. You did not have to do anything special to receive it—if you were collecting regular state unemployment, the $600 was added to your weekly payment automatically.

The program ran in two separate periods. The first lasted from late March 2020 through July 2020. The second period ran from January 2021 through early September 2021. During these weeks, your total weekly payment was your regular North Carolina unemployment benefit plus the $600 federal supplement.

The program ended on September 6, 2021. After that date, only your regular state unemployment benefit was paid, with no federal supplement added. No extension of the $600 payment was approved, and the program cannot be restarted for past weeks.

Repayment Issues and Overpayment Disputes

Some people who received the $600 supplement were later found to have been ineligible for unemployment during certain weeks. This could happen if someone returned to work but did not report it, or if their claim was later reviewed and found to have errors. When this happened, North Carolina sent a notice asking the person to repay the $600 (or part of it) for those weeks.

If you received a repayment notice, you have the right to request a hearing to dispute it. You can file an appeal through the North Carolina Division of Employment Security. The appeal must be filed within a set time frame from the date on your notice—usually 10 business days. You can request a hearing by phone, mail, or online through the Division's website.

At the hearing, you can explain your situation to a hearing officer. If you believe the overpayment was not your fault, or if you have financial hardship, you can ask for a waiver of repayment. North Carolina has rules about when overpayments can be waived, and the hearing officer will decide based on your circumstances and the facts of your case.

What Unemployment Benefits Are Available Now in North Carolina

North Carolina still offers regular unemployment insurance (UI) for workers who lose their job through no fault of their own. The weekly benefit amount varies based on your prior earnings, and the maximum weekly benefit is set by state law and changes each year. You must be unemployed, able to work, and actively looking for work to receive benefits.

The state also still operates Pandemic Unemployment information (PUA), though this program has different rules and may be able to access than the regular program. PUA is for self-employed workers, gig workers, and others who do not normally may have access to for regular unemployment. PUA has been extended and modified several times since 2020, so the current rules and payment amounts depend on when you file and what Congress has most recently approved.

Both programs require you to file a new claim if you want to receive benefits now. Filing a new claim does not automatically connect to any benefits you received in 2020 or 2021. You will need to provide current information about your employment status, reason for unemployment, and work history.

How to File a New Unemployment Claim in North Carolina

To file a new claim for unemployment benefits, you must contact the North Carolina Division of Employment Security. You can file online through their website, by phone, or by mail. The online system is usually the fastest way to file and get a decision on your claim.

When you file, you will need to provide your Social Security number, driver's license or ID number, employment history for the past 18 months, and information about why you are unemployed. If you are filing for PUA (self-employment or gig work), you will also need to provide information about your business income and why you cannot work.

After you file, the Division will review your claim and send you a information letter. This letter will say whether you are found to be may be able to access or ineligible, and if may be able to access, what your weekly benefit amount is. If you disagree with the decision, you can file an appeal within 10 business days of the letter date.

Other information Programs to Explore

If you do not meet the requirements for unemployment benefits, or if your benefits have ended, other programs may help. Emergency Rental information is available through many North Carolina counties and cities if you are behind on rent. SNAP (food benefits) and LIHEAP (utility information) are available based on income and household size.

You can find local programs through 211, a free referral service. You can call 211 from any phone in North Carolina, or visit 211.org and enter your zip code. A counselor will tell you what programs are currently accepting new people in your area and help you understand what documents you will need.

Some employers also offer Disaster Unemployment information (DUA) if a workplace closes due to a disaster or emergency. This is different from regular unemployment and has its own rules. Your local workforce development office can tell you if DUA is available for your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to repay the $600 I received in 2020 and 2021?

Only if North Carolina sent you a notice saying you were overpaid. If you received a repayment notice, you can request a hearing to dispute it. If you did not receive a notice, you do not owe the money back. Keep any letters from the Division of Employment Security in case you need to prove you were not asked to repay.

Can I file for unemployment now if I received the $600 in 2021?

Yes. Filing a new claim now is separate from any benefits you received before. You will need to show that you are currently unemployed and meet the current may be able to access rules. Your past benefits do not affect whether you can file a new claim, but they also do not may provide you will be found may be able to access this time.

What if I was self-employed and did not receive the $600 because I was on PUA instead?

Self-employed workers and gig workers received different federal payments during 2020 and 2021, not the $600 FPUC. If you were on PUA, you received Pandemic Unemployment information payments, which had different amounts. You can file a new PUA claim now if you are still self-employed and unable to work, but may be able to access rules have changed since 2021.

Where do I call if I have questions about my past $600 payments or a repayment notice?

Contact the North Carolina Division of Employment Security directly. You can call their customer service line, which is listed on their website, or file an appeal online through your account. Have your Social Security number and any notice letters ready when you call.

Is there any way to get the $600 extended or brought back?

No. The $600 supplement was a temporary federal program that ended in September 2021. Congress would have to pass new legislation to create a similar program, and that has not happened. You can only receive regular state unemployment benefits or PUA at this time.