Who Are We?

The South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW), a proud partner of the American Job Center network, is responsible for paying unemployment insurance benefits, collecting unemployment taxes, helping people find jobs, matching businesses with qualified candidates, and collecting and disseminating state/federal employment statistics.

Our main goal is to match jobseekers with employers quickly, efficiently, and effectively, and we offer a variety of services to assist both groups.

DEW, one of 16 cabinet agencies, is a partner in the state’s workforce system. This includes SC Works centers, satellite offices and Connection Points in 12 local workforce investment areas, where DEW and its partners provide services to meet the needs of the state’s businesses, jobseekers and those looking to further their careers.

Our Mission

To promote and support an effective, customer-driven workforce system that facilitates financial stability and economic prosperity for employers, individuals, and communities.

Our Vision

To be viewed as an efficient, transparent, customer-friendly partner in providing quality workforce solutions.

Our Commitment

DEW is dedicated to the motto: See it. Own it. Work it. DEW it. We know that each and every employee plays a role in the success of the agency and accomplishing the mission. At its core, See it. Own it. Work it. DEW it. means that as employees of DEW,  if we know of an issue, we take ownership of that issue and work to come up with a solution.

Our Funding

The majority of DEW’s budget is funded through federal sources.

The U.S. Department of Labor allocates funds from the Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA) to the states to pay for administrative and operational costs. Employer-paid state unemployment taxes pay for state unemployment benefits.

The South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

Unemployment Insurance (UI) is a nationwide program created to financially help eligible individuals, who are unemployed through no fault of their own, while they actively search for new work.

The program allows UI recipients to maintain purchasing power, therefore, easing the serious effects of unemployment on individual households, the community and the state. In South Carolina, a UI claim can provide up to 20 weeks of benefits. The average weekly benefit amount is $236. The maximum weekly benefit is $326.

Employers finance the UI program through tax contributions, and DEW is responsible for the collection, accounting and auditing functions of South Carolina's UI tax program. DEW administers the UI program according to guidelines established by the South Carolina Code of Laws, Title 41, and South Carolina Code of Regulations, Chapter 47. If you would like to read the UI Division's strategic plan, click here.

If you would like to learn more about applying for benefits, click here.

If you are an employer and want to learn more about UI taxes and benefits, click here.

Workforce and Economic Development

The Division of Workforce and Economic Development (WED) is responsible for the administration of federal programs which provide funding and services to help businesses meet their need for skilled workers and individuals secure training to prepare for work.

Additionally, the ES Division directs and oversees all Bureau of Labor Statistics programs, veterans programs, federal tax incentives and the South Carolina Occupational Information System.

DEW in partnership with SC Works provides all jobseekers with career counseling, job referrals, testing and training services, and resume-writing assistance. Free tools to assist employers include training opportunities, posting job openings, recruiting and screening candidates and reviewing job market trends.

With centers located throughout the state, employment representatives are available to help employers and jobseekers find the best resources and services to meet their needs.

If you are looking for a job and would like more information about our services, click here.

If you are a business owner and would like more information about our services, click here.