Three steps make up our claims process. Before you file a claim, understand each step and how you can best file and register for work. Step one is “File Your Initial Claim.” Step two is “Register For Work.” Step three is “File Your Weekly Claim.” Each step makes good things happen for you and understanding each step’s purpose makes things go smoother for all.

Step 1—Your Initial Claim 
You file your first, or Initial Claim, per benefit year. When you make your initial claim, you can also register for work. It’s an easy, automatic way to register for work. Your initial claim determines if you are eligible for benefits. File this claim in person at one of our offices or online. After you make this one-time claim, it becomes Step 2, Register For Work. Register for work and file your initial claim now.

Note: Once you file your initial claim, you’ll receive a notice with your wages from all covered employers during your base period. We’ll determine if your wages qualify you for benefits. If they do, you’ve established a benefit year. Note: If you believe wages are missing report to your local office with missing wages documentation.

Step 2—Register For Work
You register for work just one time and you must do it within two weeks of filing your initial claim. If you don’t, you won’t receive a check. We require you to seek work on an ongoing basis. After all, getting you back to work is the top priority. You can register for work in three ways:

Online—Go to SC Works and register yourself.

In Person—File online in one of our offices.

Step 3—File Your Weekly Claim
File your weekly claim (A) to prove you remain eligible for benefits and (B) qualify to get a weekly check. File your weekly claim in three ways:        

- Online (File now)
- In person at one of our offices
- Calling our TelClaim System.

Note: A new filing option, Pay Order Card (POC), saves time and gets your benefits faster. Once DEW mails you a POC, you can file your weekly benefits claim online rather than mailing it back or taking it to a DEW office. You can only file one claim per week using your POC.

Are you unsure of what earnings to report weekly? Check out our new Earnings Worksheet.

 

Congratulations on rejoining the workforce. If you are now earning more than your weekly benefit amount you must end benefits. Ending benefits is easy. Simply stop making your weekly call or online filing for benefits. Note: It is illegal to claim benefits while employed.

 

Use our online claimant portal, MyBenefits, to check your benefit status and print your 1099 G for tax record keeping. Remember that when you make your initial claim it’s an easy, automatic way to register for work. Finally, if you no longer live in South Carolina, you don’t have to register for work here. You do, however, have to register for work in your new state’s employment agency.

Need claim information? Call TelClaim Tuesday through Saturday. Enter your Social Security Number and PIN, and TelClaim will tell you if a check has been issued. If your claim has a problem, TelClaim will tell you to go to the claims office. It will also remind you when you’re scheduled for an eligibility review.

"Job Insurance" helps insured-but-unemployed workers meeting all eligibility requirements make ends meet between jobs. It helps maintain their purchasing power and limit unemployment’s effects on the community and state.

All Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) claimants are required to make FOUR (4) job contacts per week and document these contacts on Form UCB-303, Record of Work Seeking Activities.

All Extended Benefits (EB) claimants are required to make FIVE (5) job contacts per week and document these contacts on Form EB-303, Record of Work Seeking Activities – Extended Benefits. The contacts must be made on at least two (2) different days of the week.

You must register for work within two weeks of filing a claim.

You will not be paid for the first week you’re eligible in each benefit year.

We periodically review your eligibility to receive benefits.

You must pay taxes on unemployment insurance benefits.

 

Outright quitting, being fired for cause, refusing suitable work, and other reasons disqualify you from benefits.  Details.

 

Never take chances with fraud and risk losing your benefits. When filing, report any work you’ve done or money earned. Providing false information subjects you to legal action with fines from $20 to $100 and imprisonment up to 30 days. Each false statement or misrepresented truth is a separate offense. If DEW finds you guilty of fraud, you’ll be ineligible to receive benefits for 10 to 52 weeks. Report all gross wages earned and keep accurate records. We check and compare all wages employers report. We can take your tax refund through the SC Department of Revenue along with a $25 collection fee.

Report Unemployment Insurance Fraud

 

File your initial claim online. SC residents must register for work in SC. If you live in another state, you must register there for work. Not sure where to register? See Understanding Claims Processes.

Why Register?
Registering gives you timely access to weekly benefits, services, and employment. Registering with the Workforce Center does good things:

• Your name and skills can match employers’ job orders
• Special Schools training requires registration
• Special services and programs require registration

Questions? See Our Claims Processes.

Note: Though the filing week runs Sunday through Saturday, you can file weekly benefit certification online any day after your week ends. Questions? See Our Claims Processes.

Just need to register for work? Questions? See Our Claims Processes.

Incomplete Claims
Finish an incomplete claim. Note: We remove incomplete claims from the system after two days. Refile your claim if more than two days have passed since you worked on your claim.

Need More Help? Call 803.737.2400 for claims help.

 

File your weekly claim online any day. Login to MyBenefits with your User ID and password. If you have not already registered with MyBenefits, create an account. After login you can file your weekly claim, check your benefit status, and view and print your 1099 G.

To file your weekly claim, answer the questions regarding whether you worked, any gross pay you earned, and whether you were able, available, and looking for work. Questions? See Our Claims Processes.

 

SC residents call 1.866.831.1724 (toll free) from 4:00 a.m. until midnight. No check inquiries except Tuesday through Saturday. Non-residents call 1.866.831.1725.

Filing by phone requires:

• A touch-tone phone
  
• Your Social Security Number
  
• Your Personal Identification Number (PIN)

Your Social Security number’s last digit determines when to call. If the last number is 0,2,4,6, or 8, file your weekly claim Sunday. If the last number is 1,3,5,7, or 9, file your weekly claim Monday. If you miss your assigned day, call Tuesday through Saturday.

Your PIN is any four-digit number you choose except 0000 or 9999. TelClaim will request your Social Security number and your PIN. (Protect your PIN and you protect your claim.) If you forget your PIN, TelClaim will suspend system access. See your local office for help.

Listen carefully to the instructions. Do not hang up until TelClaim says, “Your claim has been accepted.” If you hang up before this message or get disconnected, you must call again to file your claim. Questions? See Our Claims Processes.