Definition of Terms

Covered Employer

An employer determined liable for contributions on wages paid to his employees. See UI Tax Information.

Separating (Bona fide) Employer

The last employer who paid the worker at least eight times his weekly benefit amount.

Bona Fide Employer

This is the employer from which separation information is needed to determine a claimant’s eligibility. The employer must have paid the worker at least eight times his weekly benefit amount.

Reimbursable Employer

Employers who reimburse dollar for dollar the amount of regular benefits and one-half any extended benefits paid for any reason. This is in lieu of the payment of quarterly contributions. Nonprofit organizations, the State, and political subdivisions can elect to be reimbursable employers.

Effective Date

The beginning date of a claim which is usually the Sunday prior to the date the claim is filed.

Benefit Year

The one-year period beginning with the effective date of a claim for benefits.

Base Period

The first four of the last five completed calendar quarters. This is the one-year period that is used to establish monetary entitlement. Unemployment insurance benefits are based on wages paid in covered employment within the base period.

Insured Worker

A worker who has been paid wages in his base period for insured work equal to at least one and one-half times the total of his wages paid in the quarter of the base period in which his wages for insured work were highest. Additionally, a worker must have been paid at least $900 in his base period and $540 in his highest quarter.

Disqualification

Determination of ineligibility for unemployment benefits.

Individuals who are ruled as a voluntary quit for personal reasons are denied benefits until they return to work and requalify by earning at least eight times their weekly benefit amount in covered employment. Voluntary retirement disqualifications are handled in the same manner.

Individuals who are ruled as being discharged for cause receive a disqualification from five to twenty-six weeks and a like reduction in their monetary entitlement. Once the disqualification has been served, claimants can receive benefits if they meet all other eligibility requirements. Employers are not charged for any benefits paid to a claimant in this circumstance unless the employer has opted to be a reimbursable employer.

Individuals who fail to either accept suitable work when offered or apply for available suitable work when so directed by the employment office will be held ineligible until they have returned to work and earned at least eight times their weekly benefit amount.

Partial Benefits

Unemployment benefits that are less than an individual's weekly benefit entitlement. This situation occurs usually when a claimant is working part-time. All earnings must be reported. Deductions will be made in accordance with state law.

Waiting Week

The first week in a benefit year during which the claimant meets all eligibility requirements of the law. No benefits are paid during the waiting week. All claimants must serve a waiting week during each new benefit year.

Pension Deduction

The amount of pension contributed by a base period or chargeable employer will be deducted from unemployment insurance on a weekly basis. The amount of pension must be verified by the employer prior to reduction. The amount of pension to be deducted is that percentage attributable to the employer’s contribution to the pension plan. Social Security is not deducted.

Labor Dispute

Total or partial unemployment directly due to a work stoppage when last employed. If the individual is participating in, belongs to the same grade or class of workers, or directly interested in the labor dispute the individual is ineligible for unemployment insurance.

Weekly Benefit Amount

This is the amount payable to a claimant for a week of total unemployment. It is determined by the amount of wages paid in the high quarter and the total amount of wages paid during the base period. The weekly benefit amount computation is as follows:

Maximum Weekly Benefit Amount

The South Carolina Employment Security Law provides for a flexible maximum weekly benefit amount which shall be determined each year by the Commission. An insured workers weekly benefit amount shall be approximately 50% of his average weekly wage not to exceed $326.00.

Maximum Benefits

An individual's maximum benefit amount is the lesser of:

• Twenty-six times his weekly benefit amount, or
• One-third of his total Base Period Wages

Average Weekly Wage

The total wages paid for insured work in the quarter of the base period in which wages are highest divided by thirteen.