Losing a job is stressful. Not knowing your rights makes it worse.
South Carolina has specific laws that control who gets unemployment benefits, how much they get, and for how long. This guide breaks it all down in plain English so you know exactly where you stand.
What Is Unemployment Insurance?
Unemployment Insurance (UI) is a program that gives you temporary money while you look for a new job. It is not a handout. You earned this benefit through your work history.
In South Carolina, the program is run by the Department of Employment and Workforce, known as DEW. Employers pay into a trust fund through taxes. That fund pays your benefits when you qualify.
Pretty straightforward, right?
Who Qualifies for Benefits?
Okay, this part is important. Not everyone who loses a job can get benefits. You have to meet specific rules.
First, you must have lost your job through no fault of your own. Think layoffs, company downsizing, or a business closing. That’s the core idea behind the whole system.
Second, you need to have earned enough wages during what is called the “base period.” The base period is basically the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file your claim.
Wage Requirements
Here is where the numbers come in. To qualify financially, you need to meet three requirements.
You must have earned at least $1,092 in your highest quarter of the base period. You also must have earned at least $4,455 total during the base period. And your total base period wages must be at least 1.5 times what you earned in your highest quarter.
Sound complicated? It’s actually not once you look at your pay stubs. If you worked full time for most of the year, you likely meet these thresholds.
Work Authorization
You must be legally allowed to work in the United States. Non-citizens need to show valid work authorization documents when they apply.
When You Cannot Get Benefits
Most people don’t realize how many ways you can be disqualified. This part surprises a lot of people.
Quitting Your Job
If you quit voluntarily, you are generally not eligible. That is the basic rule.
But wait, there is an exception. You can still qualify if you quit for “good cause attributable to the employer.” That is a specific legal term. It means your employer did something that made it unreasonable for you to stay.
Good cause examples include your employer cutting your pay significantly, unsafe or dangerous work conditions, or ongoing workplace harassment that was never addressed. Personal reasons, like moving to a new city for your partner’s job, do not count as good cause.
Wondering if your reason qualifies? It has to be about what your employer did, not your personal circumstances. That is the key difference.
Getting Fired for Misconduct
Getting fired does not automatically disqualify you. The reason for the firing matters a lot.
If you were fired for misconduct, you are disqualified. South Carolina law defines misconduct as an intentional violation of your employer’s rules, behavior that shows you do not care about your employer’s interests, or repeated careless behavior that is severe enough to be a real problem.
Getting fired for poor performance or an honest mistake is different. That does not count as misconduct. You may still qualify for benefits in those cases.
Other Disqualifying Situations
There are a few more situations that can get you disqualified. If you refused a drug test, or tested positive for illegal drugs when your employer had a clear drug policy, you lose benefits. If you are participating in a strike or labor dispute, you are also disqualified while that dispute continues.
How Much Money Will You Get?
Here’s where things get interesting. South Carolina calculates your weekly benefit amount based on your past wages.
Your weekly benefit amount is 50% of your average weekly wage. The minimum you can receive is $42 per week. The maximum is $350 per week.
Think of it like getting roughly half your old paycheck, up to a cap. The average person in South Carolina collects about $236 per week.
How Long Can You Collect?
You can collect for up to 20 weeks in South Carolina. That is your benefit year window.
Honestly, that is shorter than many other states. The national standard is often up to 26 weeks. South Carolina is on the lower end. There is actually a bill currently in the state legislature in 2026 that would tie the number of weeks to the statewide unemployment rate, but it has not become law yet.
Extended benefits may become available during times of very high statewide unemployment. The state unemployment rate has to hit specific trigger points before those extra weeks kick in.
You Must Keep Searching for Work
Getting approved is not the end of your responsibilities. You have to keep earning those benefits every week.
South Carolina requires you to complete two job search activities every week. You must log these in the SC Works Online Services system, known as SCWOS. This is a legal requirement, not a suggestion.
Job search activities that count include submitting applications, attending job interviews, going to job fairs, and attending approved workshops.
Stay with me here, because this is where people get tripped up. You have to certify each week that you are still unemployed, able to work, and looking for work. If you skip a weekly certification, you do not get paid for that week.
Part-Time Work While Collecting Benefits
This one surprises people. You are actually allowed to work part-time while collecting benefits. But you must report every dollar you earn.
You can earn up to 25% of your weekly benefit amount without any reduction in your payment. Earn more than that and your benefit gets reduced. Earn too much and you get nothing for that week.
Failure to report your earnings is considered fraud. Do not skip this step.
How to Apply
The process is simpler than you might think. All initial claims are filed online through the MyBenefits portal at dew.sc.gov. There is no way to file by phone for a new claim.
You apply where your employer is located, not where you live. Keep that in mind, especially if you live near a state border.
Here is what you will need to have ready when you apply. You will need your Social Security number, your work history for the past 18 months including employer names and addresses, and the reason you are no longer working. Non-citizens will also need their work authorization documents.
After you apply, there is a one-week waiting period before benefits can begin. You will not get paid for that first week. It is called the waiting period and it applies to everyone.
If you need help, you can call DEW at 1-866-831-1724 Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 4 PM Eastern time.
What Happens If You Are Denied?
A denial is not the end of the road. You have the right to appeal.
You must file your appeal within 10 calendar days of the mailing date on your denial letter. That deadline is strict. If day 10 falls on a weekend or holiday, you get until the next business day.
A friend asked me about this once after she was denied. She almost missed the appeal window because she thought she had more time. She did not. Read that letter the day it arrives.
To file an appeal, fill out Form APP-100 or write a letter that includes your name, Social Security number, and the specific reasons you disagree with the decision. Send it by fax or mail to the DEW Appeals Division.
Your appeal goes before an administrative hearing officer. The hearing is done by telephone. This is your chance to tell your side and present evidence. Bring documents and witnesses if you have them.
Important: keep filing your weekly claims while you wait for the hearing. If you stop and you eventually win the appeal, you could lose benefits for those unclaimed weeks.
If you lose the first appeal, you can appeal again to the Appellate Panel within 10 calendar days. After that, further appeals go to the South Carolina Administrative Law Court within 30 days.
Unemployment Fraud: Do Not Do It
This part is serious. Unemployment fraud has real consequences.
Fraud includes things like lying on your application, not reporting wages you earned while collecting benefits, or turning down a real job offer just to keep collecting. Employers can commit fraud too, like paying workers cash under the table to avoid the system.
If you commit fraud, the penalties stack up fast. You have to repay 100% of any benefits you got fraudulently. A 33% penalty gets added on top of that. You lose eligibility for up to 52 weeks. And depending on the severity, you could face criminal charges.
Misdemeanor fraud can bring fines of $50 to $250. More serious cases involving providing false information to get benefits can bring fines up to $100,000 and up to 10 years in prison.
Personally, I think that is a fair deterrent. The system exists to help people who genuinely need it.
Special Circumstances Worth Knowing
There are a few situations that get special treatment under South Carolina law.
If your spouse is in the military and gets transferred to a new assignment, you can quit your job and still qualify for benefits. You must provide the transfer orders and show that you left within 15 days of the scheduled relocation date.
If you are a victim of domestic violence and left your job for safety reasons, you can also qualify. Documentation like police records, court records, or a statement from a shelter worker, attorney, or doctor is required.
If you became unable to work due to illness or a family member’s serious medical condition, there are also paths to eligibility. You need to show it was medically necessary and that your employer would not give you leave.
You are not alone if you did not know about these exceptions. Most people don’t.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get unemployment if I was laid off temporarily?
Yes. Temporary layoffs qualify as long as you meet the wage requirements and are available to return to work.
Do I have to pay taxes on my unemployment benefits?
South Carolina does not have a state income tax, so no state taxes apply. But you do have to report benefits as income on your federal tax return.
What if I live in another state but worked in South Carolina?
You file an interstate claim through South Carolina’s MyBenefits portal. DEW handles it and will mail you instructions.
Can I collect benefits if I am self-employed or a contractor?
Generally, no. Independent contractors and self-employed individuals do not pay into the UI system and are not eligible.
What if my employer contests my claim?
Your employer has the right to respond to your claim. DEW will review both sides and issue a determination. You still have full appeal rights if the decision goes against you.
Final Thoughts
South Carolina’s unemployment system has real rules with real deadlines. Now you know the basics.
Apply online as soon as you lose your job. Report your job searches every week. Report any income you earn. And if you get denied, appeal within 10 days.
When in doubt, call DEW at 1-866-831-1724 or visit dew.sc.gov. For free legal help, South Carolina Legal Services can be reached at 1-888-346-5592. Stay informed and use what you’re entitled to.
