You must submit an initial claim in order for DEW to determine if your circumstances meet the eligibility requirements of the UI program. Filing a claim is the only way for eligibility to be determined.

Initial claims are filed online through the MyBenefits portal. If you don’t have computer access, you can apply online using a computer at one of the SC Works centers. Learn more about using the MyBenefits portal here.

Filing your claim will go faster if you have the following important information handy:

• Your Social Security number
• Your work history for the past 18 months including:
• Employers’ business names
• Employers’ addresses
• Employers’ phone numbers
• Your salary for each employer
• If you are not a U.S. citizen, your alien registration number and documentation.
• If you served in the military in the past 18 months, DD-214 Form (Member 4 copy).
• If you are a federal civilian employee, SF-50 or SF-8 Form.

When applying for benefits, you will choose to receive benefit payments via debit card or direct deposit. For more information, please visit our payment page.  Please note that you are required to pay taxes on UI benefits.

You should also make sure to download the Claimant Handbook and read it thoroughly.

When you have successfully submitted your application for UI benefits, you will receive a confirmation number and next-step instructions. If you do not receive a confirmation number, your application has not been submitted.

Once you have submitted your application, DEW will review your claim and determine if you qualify for benefits.

It takes several weeks for DEW to issue a determination on your eligibility for UI benefits. If you are deemed eligible, please note that you will not be paid for the first week of eligibility in each benefit year; this is considered a waiting week.

You may check your benefit status via MyBenefits or TelClaim.

 

Within two weeks of submitting your initial claim, you must register for work on SC Works Online Services. This includes creating a username, password and resume within the system. If you fail to do so, you won’t receive payment.

Note: You must update your resume on SC Works Online Services every 90 days to continue receiving payment.

You can register for work:

• Online— If you file your initial claim on MyBenefits, the confirmation page will provide you with a username and password for SC Works Online Services. Use this information to log in and create a resume. Once you have an active resume on file, you are officially registered for work.
  
  If you file your initial claim in an office, you will still have to register for work on SC Works Online Services. Just click on “Not Registered?” and the system will take you through the process. Once you have a username, password and an active resume on file, you are officially registered for work.

• At an SC Works center near you— If you don’t have computer access, you can register online using a computer at one of the SC Works centers.

 

Once you have filed an initial claim for unemployment benefits and registered for work, you are required to file a weekly claim and search for work each week thereafter; even while you are waiting to find out if you are eligible.

File a Weekly Claim

Filing a weekly claim involves answering questions about whether you worked, earned any income and whether you were able, available and looking for work. This information certifies that you are paid accurately and timely.

If you physically worked during the week, you must report your gross earnings—which is the amount you earn before taxes or any other deductions; even if you have not been paid yet. Unsure of what earnings to report weekly? Check out the Earnings Worksheet.

You should file your weekly claim every Sunday or Monday to remain eligible to receive benefits. You must file your weekly claims on time because you will not be paid benefits for any week that you do not file for or that you file late.

You may file weekly claims:

• Online via the MyBenefits portal
  -- If you don’t have computer access, you can apply online using a computer at one of the SC Works centers.
• Calling our TelClaim System.

 

Search for Work

To remain eligible for benefits, you must search for work each week. Your work search must include at least four job contacts each week and must be documented using the Record of Work Seeking Activities (UCB-303) form. 

At least one of your four searches must be done on SC Works Online Services. If you do not use SC Works Online Services for at least one weekly job search, you will not receive payment.

In order for your online job search to be counted in our system, you must log on to SC Works Online Services with the original username you received when you registered for work as part of filing your initial claim.

If you forget or lose your original username, you can call your local SC Works center or 803.737.2400, option 1.

If you need to reset your password for your original username, click on the “Forgot username/ password?” link on the SC Works Online Services page.

Your work searches and accompanying documentation are subject to random audits and verification by DEW. If you do not adhere to the work search policy, you will lose benefit payments.

 

When you become re-employed and earn more than your weekly benefit amount, you must end benefits.

Ending benefits is easy. Simply stop filing weekly claims. You may still be eligible for benefits if you are making less than your weekly benefit amount. Always report your weekly wages to ensure you are not obtaining benefits illegally. Unsure of what earnings to report weekly? Check out the Earnings Worksheet.

Don’t forget: It’s your responsibility to report all wages earned and keep accurate records.  DEW routinely audits weekly claims and if you are found to be overpaid for benefits, DEW employs several measures to recoup the outstanding debt, including wage withholding, intercepting state income tax returns, and intercepting federal income tax returns.

 

Whether you live in South Carolina or another state and are filing for benefits in South Carolina, the below forms will help you fulfill all requirements, keep accurate records, report appropriate information or file an appeal.

Claimant Handbook | Includes various reference materials.
Work Search Form (UCB-303) | Record your weekly work searches.
Interstate Claimant Work Search Form (IB-303) | Use only if you live outside of South Carolina.
Availability Questionnaire - Interstate Form (276 RIC) | Use only if you live outside of South Carolina.
Application for Waiver of No Fault Overpayment (BPC-252)