The Official Web Site of the State of South Carolina

DEW and SC Works offices will be closed Thursday, November 28 and Friday, November 29 in observance of Thanksgiving. All offices will reopen on Monday, December 2, and we will be happy to serve you then. Please note that unemployment payments may be delayed depending on your financial institution's holiday schedule.

SC Initial Unemployment Insurance Claims Data Week Ending September 5, 2020

Thu, 09/10/2020

Initial Claims: For claim week ending September 5, 2020, the number of South Carolinians who filed their initial claim for unemployment insurance benefits is 5,113, an increase of 94 initial claims from the week prior. This brings the initial claims total to 735,360 received since mid-March.

County Map (Intrastate)

SC Initial Unemployment Insurance Claims Data Week Ending September 5, 2020

“Initial claims remain steady in the latest reported claim week. As we have previously mentioned, minor upticks should not be alarming as this is normal in data reporting,” states executive director, Dan Ellzey.

“We are focusing our efforts on finalizing changes to the claimant system to accommodate Lost Wages Assistance (LWA). Once implemented, claimants will be required to complete a separate one-time certification for claim weeks ending August 1, August 8 and August 15. LWA will provide an additional $300 for claimants eligible to receive at least $100 in state or federal unemployment benefits. Information about eligibility and requirements will be updated on our COVID Federal Programs page and COVID FAQ page on our website. We will also provide updates directly to claimants through the portal, on social media and through media partners statewide,” concludes Ellzey.

Payout Data: From March 15, 2020 to September 8, 2020, the agency has paid more than $3.96 billion total, including:

  1. Regular state UI benefits,
  2. Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (for the self-employed and others),
  3. the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation ($600 per week) program,
  4. the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (extension of benefits for 13 weeks) program
  5. Extended Benefits (Additional 16 weeks of benefits after PEUC)

Call center hours (1-866-831-1724)

Monday & Tuesday: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Wednesday - Friday 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Closed Saturdays (Due to low call volume)

About the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce

The S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce is putting South Carolinians to work. The agency has four missions: (1) workforce development; (2) free job match employment services; (3) unemployment insurance; and (4) labor market information. All four missions contribute to workforce development. The agency is dedicated to advancing South Carolina through services and programs that meet the needs of our businesses, jobseekers and those looking to advance their careers.