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South Carolina unemployment: what to file, what you will receive, and what comes next.

South Carolina unemployment is run by the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW). If you were laid off through no fault of your own, you almost certainly qualify. The benefit is funded by employer payroll taxes, not by your past paychecks — so receiving it is not 'taking' anything from anyone, and it does not reduce future Social Security or any other program. South Carolina caps regular benefits at 20 weeks rather than the federal 26-week standard, so plan accordingly. File the same week you are laid off; the waiting period begins at filing, not at separation, and benefits do not backdate to your last day of work. This page is for general guidance only and is not legal or financial advice.

The key numbers

The numbers you can expect.

Weekly amount
Up to roughly $326 per week — one of the lower caps in the country. Confirm the current figure with DEW
Duration
Up to 20 weeks of regular state benefits, shorter than the federal 26-week standard
Waiting period
One unpaid waiting week after your claim is approved

How to file

The filing order.

  1. 01

    Gather your information before you start

    You will need your driver's license or state ID, your Social Security number, the names and addresses of all employers from the last 18 months, your last day of work, and the reason for separation.

  2. 02

    Create an account on MyBenefits

    MyBenefits is DEW's online portal at dew.sc.gov. Create an account, verify your identity, then file your initial claim. Have your direct-deposit information ready.

  3. 03

    File your initial claim

    The full claim takes about 30 to 45 minutes. Be precise on dates and the reason for separation — most delays come from inconsistent dates between your application and what your former employer reports to the state.

  4. 04

    Certify for benefits every week

    After your claim is approved, you must certify each week that you are still unemployed and looking for work. Missing a certification window pauses your benefits. Set a recurring calendar reminder.

  5. 05

    Track your work search activities

    South Carolina requires at least two work-search activities each week, registered through SC Works Online Services. Applications, interviews, and approved networking events count. Keep a simple log with dates, employer names, and outcomes — DEW can ask to see it.

Official state resource

File and manage your claim at South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce (dew.sc.gov).

A note on health coverage

Before the gap opens.

Health coverage usually ends at the end of your separation month. You will be offered COBRA — the right to keep your employer plan for up to 18 months at the full premium plus a small admin fee. COBRA is often two to three times what you were paying. Before signing up, compare it to a HealthCare.gov plan with an income-based subsidy. South Carolina uses the federal marketplace, and most laid-off residents qualify for a real subsidy that makes a marketplace plan cheaper than COBRA. You have 60 days from the loss of coverage to choose either path.

This page is for general guidance only and is not legal, tax, or financial advice.

Questions

Common questions

How much is unemployment in South Carolina?

South Carolina's weekly benefit is calculated from your earnings in the highest-earning quarter of your base period, up to roughly $326 per week as of mid-2025 — one of the lower caps in the country. The state updates the maximum periodically, so confirm with DEW when you file. Treat unemployment as a floor, not as a replacement for your full former income.

How long can I receive South Carolina unemployment?

Up to 20 weeks of regular state benefits — shorter than the federal 26-week standard. During recessions, federal extensions sometimes add weeks, but plan based on 20. If you are still searching at week 14, that is the point to seriously recalibrate your strategy and stretch your savings, rather than assume an extension will arrive.

Is COBRA worth it in South Carolina?

Often not. COBRA charges the full premium plus a small admin fee, usually two to three times what you were paying as an employee. South Carolina uses HealthCare.gov, where most laid-off residents qualify for an income-based subsidy that makes a marketplace plan cheaper than COBRA with similar coverage. Compare both before enrolling — you have 60 days from loss of coverage.

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