Unemployment insurance can provide a much-needed financial cushion if you find yourself out of work because of a layoff. If you have worked in South Carolina and you have recently been laid off, you should file for unemployment benefits as soon as possible. It can take about three weeks to receive your first unemployment check.
According to the South Carolina Employment Security Commission, claimants may be eligible to receive up to $326 per week in unemployment benefits.
In order to be eligible to collect unemployment in the state of South Carolina, you must:
- Be unemployed through no fault of your own
- Have worked for an employer who paid taxes in your name
- Have earned a minimum amount of wages for the 12 months preceding the quarter you were laid off
- Be able to work and actively searching for employment
To file an unemployment claim in the state of South Carolina, you will need:
- Your Social Security number
- Information about all former employers you worked for in the last 18 months, including: names, addresses, telephone numbers, pay rates, total earnings
- Driver’s license number or state-issued identification number
- Alien Registration number (if applicable)
The state of South Carolina offers two ways for unemployed workers to file their initial benefits claims. You can either:
- File your unemployment claim online
- Go to a Workforce Center located in your area to apply in person.
You will also need to register to work with the Employment Security Commission. You must register to work within two weeks of filing a claim.
