If your business experiences regularly occurring vacation periods, you may be able to avoid paying for UI benefits during that time. An individual is ineligible for benefits if:

1. His or her unemployment is due to a vacation week.
2. He or she is unemployed due to a vacation shutdown when:
   • A written contract between employer and employees specifically provides a vacation period without pay, not to exceed two weeks per calendar year.
   • The individual was notified at the time of employment of the employer’s vacation policy providing for a vacation layoff without pay, not to exceed two weeks per calendar year.
   • The individual was employed at the beginning and the end of the vacation period.

However, you must have a bona fide vacation policy on file with DEW at least 30 days prior to the shutdown in order to avoid paying UI Benefits during the vacation period. To have a vacation policy approved, submit a letter to the address below.

S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce
Benefit Department Director
P. O. Box 1477
Columbia, SC 29202

Your letter must outline your policy in regard to the vacation dates and how you notify employees. Submit any modifications to a previously approved vacation policy at least 30 days prior to the scheduled vacation period. Your policy will remain on file until you ask that it be removed or modified.