How to File for Unemployment in South Carolina

Where to File and What You Need

South Carolina's Department of Employment and Workforce (SCDEW) handles unemployment claims. You file online through their website at dew.sc.gov, by phone at 803-737-2400, or in person at a local SCDEW office. Filing online is fastest — most people complete it in 15 to 20 minutes.

Before you start, gather these documents: your Social Security number, driver's license or ID, the names and dates of employment for your last two jobs, and your final paycheck stub if you have it. If you were laid off or fired, have a brief explanation ready of why your employment ended. You do not need to have a new job lined up or be actively job-hunting to file — that comes later.

File as soon as you stop working. There is no penalty for filing early, and your claim date determines when your benefits begin. If you wait two weeks to file, your benefits start two weeks later, not on the day you lost your job.

Key Takeaways

• File online at dew.sc.gov, by phone at 803-737-2400, or at a local SCDEW office within one week of losing your job.
• Your claim date is when you file, not when you lost your job, so filing sooner means benefits start sooner.
• South Carolina pays a maximum of $385 per week, and the amount depends on your earnings in the past 12 months.
• You must report any work or income you earn while receiving benefits, or you may have to repay what you received.
• After you file, SCDEW contacts your employer to verify the reason your job ended; your employer's answer affects whether you are found ineligible.

How Much You Receive and for How Long

South Carolina calculates your weekly benefit amount based on your highest quarter of earnings in the past 12 months. The state divides that by 26 and rounds down. The maximum weekly benefit is $385, though most people receive less. If you earned $10,000 in your highest quarter, for example, your weekly benefit would be roughly $385 (the maximum). If you earned $5,000, it would be roughly $192.

You can receive benefits for up to 12 weeks in a standard year. During periods of high unemployment, the federal government sometimes extends this to 20 weeks or longer, but that is not automatic — Congress must pass an extension. Right now, the standard is 12 weeks.

Benefits are not taxed by South Carolina, but the federal government may tax them. You can choose to have taxes withheld from your payments when you file, or you can pay them when you file your federal tax return.

What Disqualifies You

SCDEW will deny your claim if you quit your job without a good reason, were fired for misconduct, or refused suitable work. "Good reason" means something the employer did — a significant cut in pay, a dangerous condition, or a substantial change in your job duties. Leaving because you found a different job, wanted better hours, or were unhappy does not count.

"Misconduct" means you deliberately broke a rule or were negligent in a way that harmed the employer. Being slow at your job or making honest mistakes usually does not may have access to. Showing up late repeatedly, stealing, or being under the influence at work does.

If you were laid off or your position was eliminated, you are not disqualified. If you were fired but your employer cannot show misconduct, you are not disqualified. SCDEW makes this decision based on what your employer tells them, so if your employer's account is wrong, you can dispute it.

The Verification Process and Employer Disputes

After you file, SCDEW sends a form to your employer asking why your employment ended. Your employer has 10 days to respond. If they say you quit, you were fired for misconduct, or you refused work, SCDEW will contact you and ask your side of the story. This is your chance to explain what actually happened.

If SCDEW finds against you based on your employer's answer, you have the right to a hearing before an administrative law judge. You can bring documents, witnesses, or both. Many people win their appeals because employers do not show up or cannot prove misconduct. Request a hearing within 10 days of the denial letter — the deadline is strict.

If you and your employer disagree on the facts, do not assume SCDEW will side with them. Bring any evidence you have: text messages, emails, performance reviews, or witness statements from coworkers. The judge will weigh both sides.

Reporting Work and Income While Receiving Benefits

If you work part-time or find temporary work while receiving benefits, you must report it to SCDEW. You report your earnings weekly when you certify your claim — SCDEW will ask you how many hours you worked and how much you earned that week.

South Carolina allows you to earn up to one-third of your weekly benefit amount without losing any benefits. If your weekly benefit is $300 and you earn $100, you receive the full $300. If you earn $150, your benefit is reduced by $50. If you earn more than one-third of your benefit, the reduction is dollar-for-dollar.

If you do not report work income and SCDEW finds out, you will have to repay every dollar of benefits you received for that week. This can happen months later, and the debt does not go away. Report honestly every week.

Certifying Your Claim Each Week

After you file your initial claim, you must certify each week that you are still unemployed and looking for work. You do this online at dew.sc.gov or by phone. Certification usually opens on Sunday and closes on Friday of the following week — SCDEW will tell you your specific deadline when you file.

When you certify, you confirm that you are available to work, have not refused any job offers, and report any income you earned. You do not have to list every job you applied for, but you should be prepared to say you are looking. If you miss a certification deadline, your benefits stop until you certify — there is no automatic makeup.

Certification takes about five minutes online. Set a phone reminder for your deadline so you do not forget. If you are sick, out of town, or unable to certify by Friday, call SCDEW before the deadline and ask for an extension — they grant them for legitimate reasons.

If Your Claim Is Denied or Delayed

If SCDEW denies your claim, you receive a letter explaining why. Read it carefully. Common reasons are that your employer reported you quit, that you were fired for misconduct, or that you do not meet the earnings requirement (you must have earned at least $1,300 in your highest quarter in the past 12 months). If the reason is wrong, request a hearing.

If your claim is delayed — you filed but have not received a decision after two weeks — call SCDEW at 803-737-2400. Delays usually mean SCDEW is still waiting for your employer to respond or is reviewing your case. Calling does not speed it up, but you can ask what is holding it up and whether you can provide more information.

If you are in financial hardship while waiting, some nonprofits and local governments offer emergency assistance. Call 211 (a free referral line) to find programs in your area. These are separate from unemployment and may have faster timelines.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file for unemployment if I was fired?

Yes, but only if you were not fired for misconduct. If your employer says you were fired for breaking a rule or being negligent, SCDEW will investigate. You can explain your side at a hearing if they deny your claim. Being fired for poor performance or not being a good fit is not misconduct.

How long does it take to receive my first payment?

Most people receive their first payment within two to three weeks of filing. SCDEW must verify your claim with your employer first, which takes time. If there is a dispute, it can take longer. You can check the status of your claim online at dew.sc.gov.

What if I move out of state while receiving benefits?

You can continue to receive South Carolina benefits if you move, but you must keep certifying and report any work you do in your new state. If you find a job in another state, tell SCDEW immediately — your benefits end when you are employed. Some states have reciprocal agreements, but you cannot collect from two states at once.

Do I have to pay back unemployment benefits?

Only if you were paid benefits you were not may have access to to — for example, if you did not report work income or if you were later found to have been fired for misconduct. If SCDEW overpaid you, they will send you a bill. You can request a payment plan if you cannot pay it all at once.

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

Yes. A layoff or reduction in force is not your fault, so you are not disqualified. File as soon as your employer tells you your job is ending. If your employer says you might be called back, file anyway — you can still receive benefits while waiting.