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Lost your job in South Carolina? How unemployment works

South Carolina pays regular unemployment insurance through the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce. Weekly benefits run $42–$350 for up to 20 weeks. Handbook says a maximum of 20 weeks per benefit year; total is the lesser of 20 times the weekly amount or one-third of base-period wages. DOL table shows duration range 13-20, so confirm on the monetary determination. 1 unpaid waiting week. Last checked .

What to do this week

  1. File your claim now. File as soon as you are out of work. The Claim Effective Date is the Sunday of the week your initial claim is filed. File where your employer resides or wages were earned, not where you live. You can file online. Open the DEW filing page or call 1-866-831-1724 (Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Thu 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).
  2. Gather your records. The agency will ask for your last employers, dates and pay. To qualify: At least $1,092 in the high quarter, $4,455 total base-period wages, wages in at least two quarters, and total wages of at least 1.5 times the high quarter.
  3. Start certifying every week. Online in the MyBenefits portal every claim week (Sunday through Saturday); weekly claims filed more than 14 calendar days late can be denied. At least two work searches each week, electronically verifiable in SC Works Online Services (SCWOS, jobs.scworks.org), while logged into your SCWOS account.
  4. Line up other help. South Carolina SNAP income limits, South Carolina health coverage, South Carolina take-home pay calculator.

South Carolina unemployment at a glance

Agency
South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW)
Weekly benefit
$42–$350 (table in force from January 1, 2026)
Most weeks
20 — Handbook says a maximum of 20 weeks per benefit year; total is the lesser of 20 times the weekly amount or one-third of base-period wages. DOL table shows duration range 13-20, so confirm on the monetary determination.
Waiting week
The first week of the claim is an unpaid waiting week. You must be unemployed, meet eligibility requirements and complete a work search that week.
Appeal deadline
10 calendar days from the mailing date on the determination; if the 10th day falls on a weekend or recognized holiday the period extends to the next business day. The Appellate Panel appeal also has 10 calendar days from the Appeal Tribunal decision's mailing date.
Spanish / Chinese help
Free language assistance by calling 1-866-831-1724. Spanish versions exist for the ID.me user guide and the SCWOS weekly job search tutorial (linked from https://dew.sc.gov/individuals/applying-benefits); no Chinese materials found.

How much you could get

The handbook says the weekly benefit ranges from $42 to a maximum currently $350. How it is figured: Generally 50 percent of your average weekly wage in the high quarter of the base period, between $42 and the DEW-set maximum.

At the top of the table — $350 a week for 20 weeks — the most a claim can pay is $7,000. That is a ceiling, not a typical claim; most people get less because the amount follows past wages.

Who qualifies

  • Base period. The first four of the last five completed calendar quarters (standard base period, the year before the lag quarter); an alternate base period using the most recent completed quarters is used if the standard one does not qualify.
  • Work and wages. At least $1,092 in the high quarter, $4,455 total base-period wages, wages in at least two quarters, and total wages of at least 1.5 times the high quarter.
  • If you quit. You may be ineligible if you quit your job without good cause or voluntarily retire.
  • If you were fired. You may be ineligible if you are discharged for cause or misconduct by your employer.
  • Part-time, gig and self-employed work. If you earn less than your weekly benefit in a week, the portion of earnings above one-fourth (25%) of the weekly benefit is deducted; if earnings exceed the weekly benefit you receive nothing for that week. You may be ineligible if you are self-employed full-time (handbook); report all earnings including self-employment, odd jobs, bonuses, commissions and tips.

Weekly certification, taxes and appeals

How to file
Initial claims are filed online through the DEW MyBenefits portal (ID.me identity verification). For help call 1-866-831-1724 (TTY/relay 711); SC Works centers and Connection Points also offer help.
Weekly certification
Online in the MyBenefits portal every claim week (Sunday through Saturday); weekly claims filed more than 14 calendar days late can be denied.
Work search
At least two work searches each week, electronically verifiable in SC Works Online Services (SCWOS, jobs.scworks.org), while logged into your SCWOS account.
Taxes
Benefits are taxable; DEW does not withhold automatically, but you may choose 10% federal and 7% state withholding.
State withholding
optional; 7%
If you are denied
DEW Appeals Division by mail (P.O. Box 995) or fax 803-737-0287 using Notice of Appeal form APP-100 or a signed letter with your name, Claimant ID/SSN and reasons; do NOT upload an appeal letter to the MyBenefits portal (not accepted). Then Appellate Panel (APP-111) and Administrative Law Court.. Hearings are held by phone; evidence must reach DEW and the other party at least 24 hours before the hearing or may not be considered. Keep certifying every week while the appeal is pending.
Overpayments
Overpayments can be repaid in full or by monthly payment plan, with a right to appeal or apply for a Waiver of No Fault Overpayment; fraud adds a 33% fine and a 10-52 week disqualification.

Good to know in South Carolina

  • Handbook version used is dated 'As of 9/3/2025'; benefit maximum of $350 matches the DOL July 2026 table.
  • The DOL table lists 13-20 weeks of duration; DEW handbook states a 20-week maximum.
  • DEW states initial claims are filed online only; phone filing is not offered per the Applying page.
  • Call-center hours come from the DEW About Us page.

Sources

Legal and agency information, not legal advice. Rules and benefit tables change — confirm with DEW before you rely on a number. How we check: methodology.