How to claim your benefits in North Carolina
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North Carolina Unemployment Questions
How 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 [email protected] 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.
I received a balance payout check on March 22, 2019 and before I could get to the bank to cash the check my dog ate most of it. I have called 17 or 18 phone numbers passed off to me by employees of the NCDOR employment department and spent 6 1/2 hours on the phone. This is deplorable that not one single employee can take the time to get an answer for me. It is not rocket science. All I need is to have the check reissued. I wouldn’t need that except when I inquired about the remainder on my NC debit card I was told there was no more money on it so I shredded the card. I would like an accounting for why this happens in my state. I have a picture of the partially eaten check and my check stub if I had a place to email the information.
Jane,
I can understand what you must be going through. Please consider the option of visiting an office in the vicinity for a fix.
I applied for UI benefits on Feb. 1st 2019. I have continuously tried to contact someone about my account to get some answers on why my account is still showing a message that says pending resolution. I have been reporting every week but have not received anything yet. Today is March the 24th. What is going on? The customer service line is absolutely no help and they tell me that I cant talk to anyone else. What and why is my account still pending resolution? Every time I have called customer service they keep telling me that it will be any day now. They have been saying that for weeks. Who do I talk to for a resolution to this issue? My situation is critical at this point and I am about to lose my car and my home!! What’s the holdup?
Alicia,
Please note this is a private forum and we do not have access to your claim file. Please try visiting the nearest office for quick resolution.
My job is moving from one part of Charlotte to downtown, which will make my commute go from 20mins to 45mins. Can I receive unemployment if I quite?
Sam,
Depends on a few factors. Before making a decision on your employment, please call the Unemployment Office.
I was laid off from my full time job 2 weeks ago. I have had a part time job also which I still have. I am a single mom and needed both jobs to pay all my bills. What is the most I can work at my part time job and still get unemployment benefits. I need to still keep my part time job when I do full time work.
Melinda,
I am not sure of a definite answer to your question. Please call the Unemployment Office in your state for clarification.
My unemployment says exhausted, I’ve used 12 weeks. Is there a way to get an extension? If so do I need to do anything?
Sara,
The E.U.C(Emergency Unemployment Compensation) remains expired. There is no extension available. Please inquire further with the labor authorities in your state by calling them.
I just moved to NC Transferred here from same company in Atlanta, the work here is slow not making the same hrs pay plus work is really slow. Only working when it’s work to be done not making 40hrs, still consider full time can I receive parcel unemployment?
Marlon,
You can claim partial unemployment insurance benefits for a reduction in the standard hours.
So if I try to get unemployment, can the company stop me? I transferred on my on. They lowered my pay to the standards here plus taken my seniority. Just trying to find out can they stop the unemployment. Only if you can help.
Thanks
Marlon,
The employer cannot stop the claim but can contest it at the time of processing which can influence the determination made by the Unemployment Office.