Overview of the deadlines (Due Date: By 11:59 P.M. EST on May 5, 2021)

If you have received unemployment benefits on the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program, even if you are not currently getting money, you are required to provide documentation of employment, self-employment, or planned employment (they were getting ready to start a job or business).

• People on the PUA program must provide the document to DEW by MAY 5, 2021 to keep receiving benefits.

• If we do not receive your document, your benefits will stop.

• You will also have to pay the agency back any unemployment benefits you received since December 27, 2020. This could include having money taken out of future paychecks and tax refunds.

If you received PUA benefits for any duration of time after December 27, 2020 to present, you are still required to complete this federal requirement. This includes if you went back to work, are no longer eligible for PUA or are currently no longer receiving PUA benefits for any other reason. If you have received at least one week of PUA benefits since December 27, 2020, this document is required.

Here is how the deadlines were outlined in the requirement of the Continued Assistance Act:

If you filed your claim before January 31, 2021 and received a benefit payment on or after December 27, 2020, you have 90 calendar days from the date on the letter from DEW to provide the required documentation.

• You can check your account in the MyBenefits portal for a copy of the letter in order to find the date. Count 90 days, starting with that date, and that is your personal deadline to submit required documents to the agency. Claimants will have different deadlines, depending on when they first filed.

If you filed your claim on or after January 31, 2021, you have 21 calendar days from the date on the letter from DEW to provide the required documentation.

• You can check your account in the MyBenefits portal for a copy of the letter in order to find the date. Count 21 days, starting with that date, and that is your personal deadline to submit required documents to the agency. Claimants will have different deadlines, depending on when they first filed.

Again, your timeline to provide this information begins on the date printed on the letter posted to your MyBenefits portal, but getting the documents to the agency now gives you time to recheck the documents tab of the MyBenefits portal to make sure the documents have been received, and you will continue to get PUA benefits each week.

How to submit documents to the agency

Upload:

Uploading your documents to the benefits portal is the fastest way to make sure the agency receives the documentation and your benefits and you are not disqualified or have to pay back an overpayment.

Here is a guide to walk you through the process step by step.

By uploading the document, you can also check the My Documents tab in you MyBenefits account to make sure they are attached to your claim.

Mail:

You may also mail a copy of your documentation to SC DEW PO Box 1477 Columbia SC 29202. If you mail your documentation, please include a copy of the email that was sent to you through the portal. However, the fastest way to make sure the documents are received and attached to your claim is to upload them.

Acceptable types of documentation

Proof of employment includes, but is not limited to:

• W-2 forms
• Paycheck stubs
• Earnings and leave statements

Any document you submit will need to have the employer’s name and address printed on the document.

Proof of employment with organizations such as Peace Corps, AmeriCorps and educational or religious organizations includes, but is not limited to:

• Documentation from the organization
• Signed affidavits verifying your attachment to such organizations (An affidavit is signed document that is like sworn statement from the organization confirming that you were employed with them.)

Proof of self-employment includes, but is not limited to:

• State or federal tax returns
• State or federal employer identification numbers
• Business licenses
• Business receipts
• Signed affidavits verifying the self-employment

For individuals who obtained work but were not able to start the job, also known as planned commencement of employment, you can provide:

• A letter from the company offering the work
• A signed affidavit verifying the offer of employment

For individuals who were starting self-employment but were not able to, also known as planned commencement of self-employment, you can provide:

• A business letter
• State or federal employer identification numbers
• A written business plan or a lease agreement