North Carolina Unemployment Benefits
|
Are you physically able to work? 
Are you willing to actively look for a job?
Did your employer pay unemployment taxes ("Covered Employment")?
Did you earn at least $4706 in the base period in North Carolina? Base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters. If you are filing today, base period is Jan 2012 - Mar 2012 to Oct 2012 - Dec 2012
 How did you lose your job? 
Did you quit your last job due to unsafe working conditions, not being paid, discrimination and / or health and safety risks?
Were you fired for no fault of your own?
Were you laid off for no fault of your own?
Apply Online:
Applying online is the easiest and fastest way to claim benefits. Check for more specific details such as timings and requirements to claim benefits in your state. 
CALL: 1-877-841-9617. To file a weekly certification, odd number SSNs on Monday & Wednesday through Saturday, even number SSNs on Tuesday through Saturday, call: 1-888-372-3453; Public Appeals : 919-707-1060;
Visit UC Center:
You can’t seem to find assistance on call? No worries. Visit one of the UC center and let the specialist help you out. Please note that wait times can be longer but assistance is guaranteed. you are not eligible | |||||||||
What is the Eligibility Criteria in North Carolina?There are some basic rules for eligibility. Even if you meet some of these rules partially, you should still apply for unemployment because state offices make a reasonable attempt to process your claim, as long as you provide a good justification. To learn more check unemployment eligibility article A "base period" is four consecutive calendar quarters that fall within the 18 month period before establishing a new benefit year. Claim your benefits
How to File Your Initial Claim in North Carolina?Information needed is as follows: If You Are Not a United States Citizen You must give verification that you were legally eligible to work in your state and that you are presently eligible to begin a new job. How to File Your Weekly Claim?After you file your application for unemployment benefits, you must start filing your weekly claims. You require filing each week, even though you are: You can file your weekly claim: File every week that you want to claim benefits and keep on filing until you go back to work, run out of benefits or stop seeking work. You should claim at least one week before we can make a decision on your eligibility. How to Claim for an Extension?If you are presently filing weekly claims for unemployment benefits; carry on filing your weekly claim if you are jobless or working reduced hours. You will be informed by mail of your eligibility for the added benefits. In case you have been filing weekly claims and are still laid off or working reduced hours, you will have to file an application for these extra benefits online or by telephone. You will be alerted by mail of your eligibility for the additional benefits. To be eligible for EUC (Emergency Unemployment Compensation) benefits you must: To be eligible for EB benefits you must: View all questions North Carolina Unemployment QuestionsHow do I file a claim for unemployment? DES provides three methods for individuals to file a claim for unemployment insurance benefits. Please review the following options for the method which best suits your needs. All three options are available for those individuals who are totally separated from their employment, and wish to apply for benefits. File Online: this option allows claimants to apply for benefits online. You can file for benefits and register for work in as little as 20 minutes. File by Telephone: DES provides a toll-free number which allows individuals to file for benefits. Customers can call 1-877-841-9617 (toll-free, 24-hours a day, seven days a week) to file an initial claim. File in Person:an individual may file a claim for benefits at the nearest DES office. Employers are responsible for filing attached claims for workers on temporary layoff. I received separation pay (or pay, wages in lieu of notice, vacation pay, etc.). When should I file a claim? You are not eligible for unemployment insurance benefits for any full week covered by separation pay, vacation pay, etc. (nor may such a week count as your “waiting period week”). Generally, you should file your claim the first week after the period covered by the payment (if the last week of the payment is not a full week’s pay, you may file that same week, although you possibly will still be ineligible due to excessive earnings). Can I review the information I have submitted? Currently our system does not allow you to review your work registration and claim once it has been submitted. If you entered information incorrectly or omitted pertinent information online, contact DES to provide additional information. Why can I not update my information online? If you have filed an unemployment insurance claim in the last 4 weeks, information may not be updated online to avoid erroneous claims processing. Contact DES if information needs to be changed. How much money can I receive from unemployment? Your weekly benefit amount and the number of weeks of entitlement to benefits are based on the wages you were paid and amount of time you worked during your base period. The exact amount of benefits and the duration of those benefits cannot be determined until you actually file your claim for benefits. It says something about a “waiting week” in the claims filing information. What am I waiting on? The “waiting period week” is the first week you file for and are otherwise eligible. You will never receive payment for this first week. It must be claimed to be counted. It does not mean you should wait a week before you file the claim. How do I find an Appeals Decision pre-notification for a hearing that I attended recently? Log into the Individual Services secure area. Select Appeals Decision Pre-notification under Inquiries & Information section. A listing of pre-notification(s) will display. Will I still be able to use the JOBS Line? Absolutely. The same User ID (your Social Security account number) and PIN gives you access to both the JOBS Line and online filing. You can even file your claim online one week, then file using the JOBS Line the next, and vice versa. Regardless of your filing method, you may still use the JOBS Line to hear job openings. Will I get my payment sooner if I file online? The processing of payments is exactly the same whether you file online or by telephone, so if you file by telephone the same day as some one else files online, you both should receive your payments at about the same time. However, online filing does not require staggered Monday/Tuesday filing. So if Monday is your telephone filing day, you can file online one day earlier, or two days earlier if your telephone filing day is Tuesday, by submitting your weekly certification online. How do I file an appeal? You can file an appeal to the first and second level decision in person at your local DES office, via mail to DES, attn.:Appeals Department, PO Box 25903, Raleigh, NC27611 or by email to esc.public.appeals@ncesc.gov. Appeals to Commission decisions must be filed via a petition for judicial review the Clerk of the Superior Court. The Commission must be served with copy of such petition. What should I do if my unemployment payment is late? View Your Benefit Payment History online or call the DES JOBS Line. Use the DES Office Locator to find the JOBS Line phone number for your location. You should allow 48 hours if you file your continued claims by telephone or 5 days if your employer files your claim(s) for you or you file by mail before checking the status of your claim. Note: If you are eligible to receive a payment and it does not arrive within 14 days from the date you filed the claim, notify DES.
How Benefits are calculated?To calculate your weekly benefits amount click here The minimum benefits amount in North Carolina is $45. The maximum benefits amount in North Carolina is $522 A "base period" is four consecutive calendar quarters that fall within the 18 month period before establishing a new benefit year. To learn more Unemployment benefits article |
|||||||||
Eligibility
Calculator
Apply
My current management position is being eliminated and I have to reapply for a new management postion against the general population. If I’m not offered a new management position can I apply for unemployment benefits? (even if I am offered a part time position?) My pay would probably be significantly reduced given that scenario. Also, what must be considered is that I currently have a part time job elsewhere (about 20 hours weekly along with my full time management job. So, would I be eligible for unemployment if I refuse a part time position at the place that is currently my full time job?
I will be moving to North Caroline in mid-June. How do I transfer my TN unemployment benefits to NC? Will I need to contact TN first to advise them of my move or once I get to NC, do I file for unemployment benefits with them and NC notifies TN of the move? Also, I have direct deposit – will that also transfer?
What happens when a person comes back from surgery, has exhausted all PTO time and FMLA and goes back to work just to find they are unable to do their job because they are still having medical problems? Does that person qualify for unemployment compensation when the employer terminates them?
I have just lost my job in Louisiana and am relocating to charlotte NC can I file for unemployment there and how do I go about getting the process started?
Yes you can claim the UI benefit from the State where you stay directly claiming from the state where you were working through online with your social security number and login details…
I was laid off from my job as an associate pastor in Wilmington. Do I qualify for unemployment? My church did not pay towards social security? Any help would be great.
My son recently was laid off from his full time job of 6 months due to lack of work. He applied for NC unemployment and they informed him that his rate for the base period was not enough to file a claim. It looks as if the base period was the fourth quarter of 2011 and first quarter of 2012. Since his employment began in November 2011 and lasted through July 2, 2012 when should he file to be eligible? His net salary per week was $280.00 per week.
My husband had the same problem, have your son take his last pays tub to the unemployment office and file an appeal to have that quarter added. It may have helped us as this was just done today, we are keeping our fingers crossed
WHEN CAN I COLLECT IF I RECEIVED SEVERANCE PAY
I have just recently lost my job, aspart of a re-organization(no fault of mine). They gave me a sevence package of 8 weeks. Can I file for unemployment at the same time if I do not get employment? If I can, may i do it online or do I need to come to the office? When can I start filing?
Yes, you are eligible to apply for unemployment benefits as you have lost job through no fault of yours.
You can file online which takes about 20 minutes. When filing for benefits online, you will also have to register for work, so that potential employers can find your resume in a search of the Employment Security Commission’s database.
If you are applying online then it is not required to visit Employment Security Commission Office.
My base period has 1 qtr of work in North Carolina and rest is California.Am I eligible for unemployment benefits
My tier three ended on May 20th 2012. I was told I would only get six weeks of tier four. According to euc extension it states that north carolina without having the eb extension should have 16 weeks of tier four with tier three ending before june. Why would I not be eligible for sixteens weeks of tier four in north carolina?
My husband has been transferred to another part of NC. I have leave my job of 11 months effective immediately. My company says they will not have any problems with my filing. Will I be eligible? What will I need?
how long must I have been employed to be eligible
i had to quit my full time retaail sales job due to health reasons. I have not worked since Memorial Day and am having difficulty finding a job. I have never collected unemployment and want to know if I qualify for benefits
Our company is shutting down for a week and i would like to file for unemployment benifits for that week. Does doing so effect any future benifit options or your standing with the company. Any info or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you
I am confused because at the top of this page it says that you are eligible if you are under 21 and are a full-time student, but then below it says that you disqualify if you’re attending school. Can someone please explain this to me? I have been unemployed since June, and have applied everywhere and been unable to get a job. I am 19 years old and I start school in January as a college student and I need a job, or money somehow. Do I not qualify?
I am currently employed at a company in North Carolina and am the olny women in an office and ove ther past 4 weeks the work enviroment has become hostile. I am afraid to go to work tommorow as the office is on edge and the comments are violant comeents are getting worse. The HR deparment and management know of the issue. And dont seem to be handling the issue. Can I leave the company file for unemployeement as I feel threatened everyday for my saftey.
What happens to my weekly claim if I obtain a new position mid-week? How does that effect that weeks claim?
i am 7 months pregnant with twins and my doctor has told me i have to stop working do to complications. Can i receive unemployment benefits???
my unemployment is late all yhe time my employer file when ever is this wrght
I’m having to leave my job due to my husband’s job relocation to another state. Am I eligible for unemployment benefits while I look for a job?
I have worked for a company for 25 yrs. Work has become slow over the last 3-5 yrs and I have periodocally been signed up for unemployment benefits through my employer. I used to be able to draw if I only worked 18 hrs or less. Boss told me he talked with ESC and was told he could take an average of hours worked and reduce the required hours for drawing unemployment……….what i mean is, I used to able to work 18 or less and draw unemployment, but now he says that has dropped to 12 …..is this legal???
Are partial unemployment benefits available if one is working a 60 day temp job paying $11.50 an hour?
My full time hours have been cut from 40 work week to less than 20 hours per work week.Am I entitled to partial unemployment?
I am a contractor in Afghanistan I am not laid off yet. My contract ends in March can I collect unemployment and I live in a different country till the next job.
If I collect unemployment in one state which I live now, but move to another state midway through the year. Am I able to claim unemployment in the new state of residence?
I was fired for being out sick to much. I offered doctors notes but they would not accept doctors notes saying it did not matter. Also the manager said she would give me a great referance to new employers. Is the determination up to the state or also the employer. I have sever depression and am under doctors care that is why I was out so much.
I was “terminated” after 2 yrs with a company due to “breaking the rules”. I gave information to a customer (believing I was helping them) which a company my company did insurance work for considered a conflict of interest. An employee handbook excerpt was cited as a “rule” to follow. I never for one minute thought I was breaking a rule nor had I ever seen an employee handbook. The employee handbook is totally irrelevant anyway. I would give the same info again to help someone. I would never do anything intentional to jeopardize my employment nor harm the company I worked for. That being said, I KNOW there is more to my termination than that but that seems to be the companies crux for getting rid of me after 2 years. Like I said——-I did nothing I thought was wrongful at all. I really helped a customer without realizing I was going to get fired over it. Will this deny me unemployment compensation?
I have been working at my current job for 6 years 6 months. I may need foot surgery soon. If I go out on medical leave can I collect unemployment. If not what advice can you give me to do.
Thank you
Elizabeth Price
if i worked in Michigan & now residing in North Carolina, as a forced voluntary quit, my question do i apply under the state of Michigan or state of North Carolina?
I have a son in the hospital fighting for his life and since he has been in the hospital I have not given proof however I was told that upon my return I have 5 days to produce proof I have not gone back to work and I was denied FMLA and now I am being fired for not providing proof as of yet would I be eligible for UI
Can I apply for partial unemployment if I do not work full time, but my hours were cut from 39 to 24?
If I have had my hours reduced from 40+/week Exempt status to 24/week, am I eligible for unemployment.
I am a full time server and the restaurant is closing. Do I qualify for unemployment benefits while I actively search for another job?
Hi Heather,
Please check if the restaurant you worked at paid employment taxes to the state government. This is called covered employment. However, this is only one eligibility requirement and there are many more which will determine your qualification to receive benefits. Since you are getting laid off, you are mostly eligible to receive benefits but you must have earned a minimum amount in your base period. Please check for eligibility requirements and other requirements on our site.
http://www.fileunemployment.org/north-carolina/eligibility
http://www.fileunemployment.org/north-carolina/application
I was wrongfully terminated at my job of 2 years. My job is trying to fight me getting unemployment. So I have an active issue on my claim. I’m in the process of finding another job. I’ve still been filing my weekly claim certification even though I have not yet been accepted. My questions are
1. If I do get accepted will I receive UI for the 2 weeks I filed weekly certification but had not yet been approved?
2. If I find a job before I’m accepted and then report that I found a job, will they drop my claim or can they still accept me and give me UI for the 2 weeks I didn’t have a job?
Hi Joy,
1. If you are approved, you will have to serve a waiting week during which you have to file your weekly claims but you will not receive any payment. This means, out of the 2 weeks you have filed, you have chances of receiving benefits for only one week.
2. Weekly claims enable you to receive benefits for an unemployed week which passed by. So, once it is approved, you will receive benefits at the end of each unemployed week. If you find a job, your claim will be closed.