The South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW) is responsible for:

• Paying unemployment insurance benefits
• Collecting unemployment taxes
• Helping people find jobs
• Matching businesses with qualified candidates
• Collecting and disseminating state/federal employment statistics

Our Mission, Vision, Commitment, Funding and Main Goal

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 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.

Our Main Goal

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. DEW and its partners provide a variety of workforce services for job seekers and employers at SC Works Centers, Connection Points and satellite offices in 12 local workforce investment areas across all 46 SC counties. 

Contact Us

Administrative Headquarters
1550 Gadsden Street
P.O. Box 995
Columbia, South Carolina 29202

Statewide Offices
Visit the Service Location Directory for a list of statewide locations.

Phone Directory
TTY: 711
TelClaim | Claimant Self-Service Line: 1-866-831-1724 (toll free)

Ticket to Work/Employment Network: 1-800-436-8190 (toll free)

Call Center Hours

Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Careers at DEW

Why should you join the S.C. Department Employment and Workforce (DEW) family?

Our purpose at DEW is to put people to work and to help those who, through no fault of their own, have become unemployed. DEW 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.

Full-time DEW Employee Benefits include: 

• Retirement savings plan
• Life insurance
• Paid annual leave
• Thirteen paid holidays
• Wellness programs
• Service recognition

If you're ready to join an agency whose mission is to help others, apply for a position now! 

Search DEW Career Openings
View current job opportunities, or search using specific criteria to find jobs that match your interests.

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

Freedom of Information Act Requests

DEW is committed to following both the letter and spirit of the South Carolina’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to ensure that public business is performed in an open and transparent manner. Requests for information should be sent in writing to DEW’s Office of General Counsel (OGC) at FOIA@dew.sc.gov. No particular form is necessary, but you may use our Standard Form (PDF) to assist you with your request.

How long will it take?

DEW will respond in writing about the release of records in a FOIA request within 10 or 20 working days (depending on the age of  documents requested) of receipt of the request. Working days do not include Saturdays, Sundays or public holidays.

If the requested information is available for public disclosure, the OGC will coordinate with the appropriate DEW department to make the records accessible. If the requested information is confidential or has other FOIA exemptions the OGC will notify the requestor in writing that some or all of the records are exempt from disclosure.

What does it cost?

FOIA allows for the collection of fees in order to cover the cost of research, retrieval and reproduction of records. DEW’s Finance Department will create and provide invoices for requestors once the documents have been identified. The full amount of the total cost must be paid prior to the actual production of the request. DEW will transmit documents to the requestor immediately following receipt of payment by DEW.

Freedom of Information Act Requests Fee Schedule

• Search Fee: $22 per hour
• Redaction Fee: $22 per hour
• Copies: $0.06 per page

Resources

• FOIA@dew.sc.gov
• Department of Employment and Workforce Policy (PDF)