South Carolina Unemployment Phone Numbers

Sometimes you just have to talk to a live person to get answers to your questions concerning unemployment claims. In that case, you can call the DEW’s BPC Division at (803) 737-2400.

Be prepared for long wait times because lots of people try to call the staffs. Remain patient and you will get through to someone who can help you. Even though it is frustrating to wait so long, you are advised to be courteous to the person you get connected to and you will get a lot more help than if you are terse and rude.

Some of the other Important Numbers are:

  • ADA (Americans With Disabilities Act) Assistance, Columbia Area – 803.737.0391
  • ADA Assistance, Toll free –  800.436.8190
  • Public Information & Media Services – 803.737.2623

Visit SC Works for a comprehensive list of statewide offices.

  1. I was receiving unemployment benefits from January 2021-April 2021. The extension was started but my car was taken by the bank because I could not continue payments on it in March 2021. April SCDEW stopped sending me unemployment payments stating transportation issue. I filled out the correct forms & then called. A person on the phone said it was resolved sent me an email stating resolved. I waited from 4/2021-5/2021 still no payments I called every month only to keep getting your case was resolved emails & it takes time. Then I called July 2021 & was told a supervisor will contact me it has been 3 weeks & no one called.. I would like to know is there another number to call or a complaint hotline.

    • That’s absolutely horrible
      Have you contacted anyone about Covid-19 Relief? Do you have the phone # to call in your telecasts? If U could please let me know I’d appreciate it

    • TG,

      Unfortunately, there are thousands sailing on the same boat. Please consider the option of visiting an office in the vicinity if safe and feasible (you might be required to book an appointment prior on the website).

  2. I applied in April 2020. Was denied UI but given instructions to file for PUA. I answered all questions on portal and submitted all documents required. Status of PUA continued to show pending. I called SCDEW and was told they had my documents and that claim was in process and I should just wait. Per instructions on portal, I went through the entire process again, answering same questions and submitting same documents. Still no change. Months went by. Got a tip to contact Senator Scott’s office which I did and immediately got a new questionnaire form it said for the purpose of backdating the claim. I did all the same info and forms again and explained I wanted to backdate the claim to the original date which on their own forms is shown as 03/29/2020 because I had followed instructions and was told by that SCDEW rep my docs were there and to wait. Two days later I got a denial of backdate because they said my reason was not “good cause.” Also, that same day, I got approval of eligibility and one week’s payment. And a Monetary Determination of Money showing eligibility amount under PUA claim date 03/29/2020. All the information that was deemed acceptable for allowing and paying the claim for that one week is the same information they’ve had on file since the time I originally made the claim last year .
    I faxed an appeal application in to refute the denial and they don’t even show they received it. Thank God I have copies of what I sent but I am at a point where I have no clue what to do. Please don’t tell me to call DEW at off peak hours or to check portal because I have done that for over a year to no avail. Please help me.
    Thank you.

    • Lynn,

      I can understand your situation. There will be a delay considering the number of applications that are being processed. Please continue chasing the office/check your status online at regular intervals until payments normalize.

  3. How can we get ahold of a supervisor? I have been waiting on a payment for 6 weeks because of issues, got an email saying my case was resolved and still nothing.

  4. I have been waiting since March of 2020. Everyone hangs up on me. Cannot get any answers, always says pending. I understand i moved here from NC but you have my furlough letter, my check stubs and my income from NC.

    I have worked all my life just like everyone else. But if I was a scumbag I would get help a lot quicker. If I was on welfare I would get help. You try to live right and no one cares.

    • I’ve been waiting since March 2020. Just got appeal last week. I was approved for PUA but they aren’t giving me the federal. I’m self employed. Now they hang up on me too. 1 hr plus waiting then hang up

      • I’ve been calling for months about an overpayment. They say someone will call back no one ever does i don’t need an agent I need a supervisor my acct is all screwed up and can’t get anyone to help they all lie lie lie and apparently can’t read. You hire anyone cause no one knows how to fo anything.

    • So people who happen to need public assistance such as food stamps and welfare at a time like this aren’t living right? Get a grip and get off your high horse. Karma.

    • Kathryn,

      I can understand your situation. There will be a delay considering the number of applications that are being processed. Please continue chasing the office/check your status online at regular intervals until payments normalize.

      • Dew shows that they investigated me for fraud and that I have an overpayment of over $1836. I sent them verification of my identity when they asked for it, other than that nothing had changed or been done on my claim….

      • Other people have to go to work. Why aren’t you working with a mask. We need help in person. Over the phone is no help. Hours of waiting to get through to someone, they can’t help, can’t give answers, say to check back, and each person tells me something different.

  5. My wife applied for unemployment benefits in late May. We got an approval letter in august. We still have mot seen a direct deposit and she has checked in every week. Every person we talk to cannot give us an answer on why this is. Is this normal?

  6. My last 3 checks have not been direct deposited to my bank. I switched banks changed my info and unemployment tells me every time that they have cut and mailed me 3 checks and they also told me that my 2nd and 3rd one would be direct deposited but yet they tell me they also have been mailed to me and I still haven’t seen any of the 3 checks in the mail. It’s not my bank it’s not my post office so what is really going on?

    • I have been waiting 28 days and have not gotten a letter my page hasn’t changed can someone tell me something.

      • Stephen,

        There will an intermittent delay owing to the number of applications. Please be patient and make sure to check the status regularly.

    • Harvey,

      Please note this is a private forum and we will not be able to check your claim status. Please call the Unemployment Office directly.

  7. I was denied unemployment initially as determination was ineligible due to leaving work without good cause had the hearing last week after filing on February 7th and decision was reversed in my favor. During this time, I could not log into the page to claim weeks as I was constantly getting an error message. After reversal they pay me for two weeks at max allowance and I didnt even file the weeks as I couldnt. Now, they say i have an overpayment and have denied all late claims which now puts me at 2 plus months of no benefits. I was only able to claim weeks and do work search after reversal of decision. Why is it so hard to professionally facilitate the benefits without putting people through hell to get by until better comes. This is so ridiculous and I am saving every document and really at a point where I feel like exposing this ridiculous system to some news outlet to get public opinion and involvement as I am not getting anywhere by doing things the way you all require. this is terrible service on all accounts. Very disappointed

  8. I made A mistake on my security questions when I was in the process of registering for unemployment, now I cannot access my benefits to finish filing my claim. I need help please. Thanks Linda

    • Linda,

      Please call the Claims Center for further assistance in this regard. Please speak to a representative for specific help.

      • The claims center via phone is ridiculous. We need to go to the unemployment office and talk to someone face to face. Open up, with masks, behind plexiglass. Do something. We’re starving out here, we need meds, we have to pay utilities!!! The unemployment office has a job to do and they need to do it!!!

      • The claims center via phone is ridiculous. We need to go to the unemployment office and talk to someone face to face. Open up, with masks, behind plexiglass. Do something. We’re starving out here, we need meds, we have to pay utilities!!! The unemployment office has a job to do and they need to do it!!!

        • I was on hold last week for over 3 hrs before a lady that could tell me nothing nor seemed at all to care got on the phone . All she said was they’ve got my paperwork and there reviewing it just be patient hell I’ve been patient for 2 years almost..smh ridiculous

  9. SC unemployment took $384.20 from me in September and applied it to an overpayment I did not owe. (Told me it was a glitch in their system) The supervisor of the overpayment unit has repeatedly told me for 3 months that they are working on this and that they have my case as a high priority to resolve this so I can be paid. To date I still have not been paid!

  10. My brother’s company is not paying him his wages. Some weeks he’ll get half what he’s owed. Other weeks, he’ll get nothing. They’re more than $1000 behind on what they owe him. This isn’t the first time they’ve done this either. He is actively looking for other work, but he doesn’t have a HS diploma or GED, so it’s taking a while. Would he be eligible for unemployment benefits in the meantime? He at least needs gas money to pay bills and go to interviews and he’s not getting that where he works now.

    • His eligibility depends on multiple factors.

      I suggest you ask him to call the Unemployment Office and discuss further.

      • I have just got my claim processed. I tried to call in for week of may 22 but it doesn’t recognize my ss#. I need to phone another on Sunday to catch up since I couldn’t file before what do I do about calling in a claim it won’t let me call it in. Also when I pushed #1 on 18668311724 it is only for employers. There aren’t any other choices on the phone system to choose from. What’s a body to do?Carl Henderson.

        • Carl,

          Please try applying/check the status online. You will need to log in with a user name/password.

    • I didnt understand a question they asked during claim process. They sent an alert and I kept answer the same cause at the time I did not understand the question. Now I can login but cannot refile or appeal or anything. Claims there is an error when I try to go to appeal please help me asap cause I’m about to be homeless

      • Kayla,

        I can understand your situation. For a quick fix, please call the Unemployment Office or consider visiting an office in the vicinity.

    • Please provide more details surrounding your question.

      If you want to know the status, please call the claims center.

  11. I worked for a 1 1/2 years at an assembly plant. I have a tough time with some chemicals and fragrance/cologne chemicals. The term is Multiple Chemical Sensitivity or MCS. I was worked in a cell group of 4 people with 4 different stations. They changed a chemical they used and I could no longer tolerate my job. Headache, foggy headed like I was drugged or something and more. I was accommodated and would float to wherever I was needed until they were low on work. Then they put me places that made me sick and lied about the chemicals. I was so sick I finally said it wasn’t worth it and quit. I had written a letter to my shift supervisor which was sent to HR.

    My question is whether I could draw some unemployment since they no longer accommodated me. Yes, there were places I could have worked but they didn’t place me in a safe place. I even worked areas other people didn’t like to work or refused to work or with people that others didn’t get along with. I have never taken a handout in my life and in fact I have never even filed for unemployment before and I’m over 50.

    Can you help me?

    • Yes, you can draw on the basis of hostile/threatening work conditions.

      If there is a dispute from your employer, keep supporting documents in place.

  12. As an spouse to an active duty military member, I’ve been forced to leave my full-time job of eight years to PCS to another country. Am I eligible to file for unemployment?

    • Not sure if you can since you’re moving to another country.

      Please inquire with the Unemployment Office in your state.

  13. i am already in the systemand have a sc debit card. I work for durham transportation and have received only one check since school let out. what do I do to continue my checks?

    • Please call the customer service of the labor dept in your state for an update.

      Do not post personal information like the S.S number. Your question was edited to exclude the number before making it visible on the forum.

  14. I have just filed for unemployment for the first time ever and I have not spoken to a single person yet. I have one simple question and still can’t get ahold of any one to ask. The phones are either busy for 4 hours this morning or the recording hangs up on me. Is it too much to ask for just a little help??

  15. Due to the volume of business at the restaurant I work at is slow in December and January how do I apply for seasonal umemployment. I will
    resume my job in February of 2014.

    • Websites are not always up to date – but if that’s the information provided I guess it could be true. It seems to me the longest delays are at the beginning of a claim – the first check. Once a claim is established, benefits can be (and usually are) processed quickly.

      • I have never filed for unemployment. I have a Masters Degree In Computer Science and keep running into walls trying to get through IDme which is a joke. Horrible software. I think the State of South Carolina is making it difficult so people will get frustrated and not file. That makes the states unemployment rates look better.
        It is clear that employees of DEW don’t want to talk to you. I can’t get through to anyone. I can imagine how people with average education would just give up.
        Every government agency tries to do everything online. You can’t do everything with a computer.
        I feel really bad for people with kids and minimal education who can’t get through the ridiculous, confusing application, that just give up. Does anyone care at DEW. Who knows you can’t get them on the phone.

      • I need help paid its been 8 weeks that i haven’t been paid i have turned in all my documents that they needed to review my unemployment status. They all say the same thing.Be patient keep doing your weekly and Job search it want be long. BULLSHIT!!! AM TAKING THIS TO THE NEWS PEOPLE I’VE HAD ENOUGH! 8 WEEKS NO INCOME . AM ON THE VERGE OF GETTING ME A LAWYER TO SUE THE CUSTOMER SERVICE OFFICE .

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