How to Apply for Unemployment Benefits in South Carolina
Information about how and where to apply for unemployment in South Carolina is scarce, but the state asserts that the application process is only composed of three steps. First, you will need to submit an initial unemployment claim by creating an account using the online MyBenefits portal. South Carolina does not accept in-person or phone applications for unemployment, but you can apply at a local Career Center if you do not know where to sign up for unemployment or how to apply for unemployment online in SC. If you need immediate assistance at home, do not hesitate to call the TeleClaim hotline between 8:30 am and 4:00 pm on weekdays.
Approximately seven days after you file for unemployment, you will receive a Monetary Determination in the mail detailing the amount you are eligible to receive. In South Carolina, all workers can receive a maximum benefit amount of $326 per week prior to tax deductions. The Monetary Determination will only discuss your eligibility, and you may need to submit additional documents before the state can make a final decision. Applicants may submit requested information via mail, fax, or drop-box.
21 days after receiving your Monetary Determination, the state will send you a final decision about your SC unemployment insurance application. You are allowed to check the status of your claim online or by calling the TeleClaim hotline.
What You Need to File for Unemployment in South Carolina
You can complete your South Carolina online application for unemployment faster if you have certain information and documents within your reach. Before you file for unemployment, please be sure to gather documents displaying the following information:
- Social security number or alien registration number (if not a naturalized citizen)
- Work documents from the last 18 months with each employer address, phone number, and name
- Income history
- Personal contact information
When providing personal contact information, please be sure to use your current mailing address and phone number. Failing to provide current information can result in your benefits being sent to the incorrect location.
How to Register for Work in South Carolina
Within two weeks of completing your South Carolina unemployment EDD application, you will need to register for work searches. If you fail to register, you will not receive benefits until you do so. You must register to job hunt via the SC Works Online Services site, where you will also be required to update your resume every 90 days. Once you create a unique username and password and post your resume, the state will consider you officially registered for work. If you lack access to a personal computer or internet connection, you can use a computer at your local Career Center.
How to Look for Suitable Work in South Carolina
If you file for an unemployment claim in South Carolina, you will need to search for suitable work if you wish to receive financial benefits. Looking for “suitable” work means seeking out a job that is similar to your previous one or that requires a similar set of skills. If you are offered a job that pays at least 90 percent of your past salary within eight weeks of submitting an online application for unemployment, or a job that pays at least 75 percent of your salary after the initial eight weeks, the you must accept the position.
Each week you file for unemployment in SC, you will use the “Record of Work Seeking Activities” form to keep track of your potential employee contacts, and you will need to note the following information about each contact:
• Name of employer
• Employer contact information
• How you applied (in person, online, phone)
• Information about position
• Date of contact
Job searches performed on the South Carolina Works Services site can be counted as a contact.
