 |
Max. Weekly Benefit Amount
$350 |
Max. Weeks of Benefits
13 |
Current Jobless Rate
3.9% |
$350
13
3.9%
Updated : November 4th, 2022
North Carolina Unemployment Benefits
North Carolina offers Unemployment Insurance (UI) to citizens who have lost their jobs. They can apply for unemployment benefits if they are ‘laid off’ from work or unemployed with no fault of their own. On this page, you will find all the information you need to successfully apply for benefits, such as eligibility criteria, methods to apply, required documentation, and more.
Eligibility To Apply For UI Benefits In North Carolina
To filter genuine UI claimants, North Carolina’s unemployment insurance agency has set certain criteria that you need to meet to claim weekly Unemployment Benefits.
Monetary Eligibility
One of the parameters set by North Carolina for eligibility is that you must fulfill the requirement of earning the minimum stipulated wages in the base period.
A base period is a time frame during which an applicant is expected to have earned the required amount of wages to gain eligibility for unemployment benefits. In North Carolina, it generally includes the first four of the last five completed quarters.
Note: A calendar quarter is a set of three-month time periods used to categorize a base year.
To gain monetary eligibility, you need to meet the following criteria set by the state of North Carolina:
- You must have received wages in at least two quarters of your base period.
- You must have received wages totaling at least six times the average weekly wages during your base period.
- If you do not have enough wages, your wage criterion is determined by calculating your wages in the last four completed calendar quarters immediately before the first day of your benefit period. You should note that the alternative benefit period may not be used to make a claim after your first benefit year.
- You must have at least $780 in the last two quarters to establish the minimum weekly benefit amount of $15. North Carolina has set a maximum limit for WBA at $350
- In North Carolina, the weekly benefit amount is calculated by adding wages in the last two base period quarters, dividing it by 52, and rounding it to the next lower whole Dollar.
You will receive a Wage Transcript and Monetary Determination. This letter will contain all the necessary information about you, including all the employers you’ve worked for and the wages you’ve received.
The Wage Transcript and Monetary Determination letter will also contain information on your estimated weekly benefit, maximum benefit amount, and the number of weeks you will receive benefits. You are expected to read this letter and verify if your wages are correct.
Find out more about eligibility requirements
Job Separation
After establishing monetary eligibility, the next step to qualify for benefits is to establish the reason for separation from your previous organization.
You should note that the North Carolina Unemployment Insurance program is not applicable for anyone unemployed. The State law mandates that the benefits should only be given to those who lost their jobs due to no fault of theirs.
The reason for your job separation also comes into play when determining your eligibility. Please check and assess if the following apply to you or not:
- You must not have lost your job due to any fault of yours.
- You must not have quit the job of your own volition.
- You were not involved in any unethical or illegal activities, resulting in your exit from the previous organization.
- You were laid off from work, or your working hours were shortened due to lack of work.
North Carolina’s Department of Commerce’s Division of Employment Security will verify your claims about job separation. The department may contact your ex-employers to corroborate your claim with your ex-employer. If it is found that your claim does not match with that of your previous employer, your eligibility for benefits will be withheld.
Eligibility requirements – overview
Maintaining Eligibility
Once you establish that you are monetarily eligible and that you lost your job due to no fault of yours, you will gain qualification for monetary benefits. You must, however, remember that you should maintain the eligibility factors throughout all the weeks you would receive benefits.
To make sure that you receive your weekly benefits every week without any hurdles, make sure to adhere to the following points:
- You must be able and available to work at all times in the weeks you receive monetary benefits.
- You must possess the mental and physical capacity to work.
- Report any wages you earn during the benefits weeks without fail.
- Report to the department immediately if you receive employment during the benefits weeks.
- You must register with the North Carolina Division of Workforce Solutions for work at NCWorks online.
- You must actively pursue work throughout the benefits weeks. You must make at least three contacts with potential employers in a week.
- You must follow the rules and prevent yourself from committing fraud by providing false or misleading information or by withholding important information.
Find out on job search requirements
How To Apply For UI Benefits In NC?
To apply for unemployment benefits in North Carolina, you will need the following documents:
- Your Social Security Number.
- Details from your most recent employer about separation, vacation, or severance pay you received, will receive, or are entitled to receive.
- Details regarding any retirement pay (gross monthly amount of pay along with proof).
- Your bank routing number and account number if you would like unemployment payments directly deposited into your bank account. If you do not select direct deposit, payment will be placed on a DES-issued debit card.
- Your work history for the past two years (employer name as it appears on your check stub, employer’s payroll and physical addresses, telephone number, employment dates, rate of pay, and reason for separation from each employer).
You can file for unemployment benefits in North Carolina through the following methods:
Online
The most convenient way to file a claim is by doing so through the North Carolina’s Division of Employment Security website – https://des.nc.gov/. You will have to create a login ID and password to create your new online account. If you do not have access to computers, you can use the computers at your local NCWorks Career Center.
Telephone
In the event you do not have access to computers, you may also file claims through a phone call. Dial 888-737-0259 to register your claims over a telephone call.
How To File Weekly Claims
You can file your weekly claims through the DES website. If you don’t have access to a computer, you can also certify your weekly claims by calling the customer care number – 1-888-737-0259.
Note – If you have any questions regarding your responsibilities or the schemes introduced by the department, contact DES by calling 1-888-737-0259.
Learn how to claim weekly benefits
UI Benefits Amount
Benefits Calculator
Know more about the Benefits Calculator
Things To Know After Filing An Application
You are expected to follow certain guidelines after filing for unemployment benefits in North Carolina. Not following these guidelines may create problems for claimants and may result in a stoppage of monetary benefits as well.
Overpayments And Collections
An overpayment occurs when you receive benefits to which you are not entitled, either inadvertently or through willful misdirection. Examples of overpayment include undisclosed earnings, fake documents submission, not reporting your new job or your new source of income, etc.
North Carolina overpayments fall into two types – Fraudulent and Non-Fraudulent.
A fraudulent overpayment occurs when you knowingly provide false or misleading information to get benefits or to extend the benefits weeks. The Division of Economic Security takes cases of fraud very seriously. Any fraudulent cases that exceed $400 can be prosecuted as a felony in the state of North Carolina.
A non-fraudulent overpayment occurs when you receive an overpayment, but it was determined that there was no objective to mislead or falsify data to your advantage. Non-Fraudulent overpayments occur due to administrative miscalculations arising due to unintentional errors committed by you, the employer, or by the DES.
What can you do if you receive overpayments in North Carolina?
You need to repay all overpayments to the Division of Employment Security. If you’re receiving UI benefits and have an overpayment balance, your benefits will be cut by 50% for non-fraud overpayments and by 100% for fraud overpayments.
The DES may collect overpaid amounts by:
- Pursuing criminal prosecution and/or civil court action.
- Garnishing your state tax refund
- Garnishing your federal tax refund.
- Garnishing your lottery winnings.
To avoid garnishments, you should repay the overpaid amount in full. If you can’t afford to do so, you can reach out to DES and arrange a payment agreement.
You can make payments by:
- Check
- Debit Card
- Credit Card or
- Money Order
You can make credit and debit card payments online. Payments by check or money order must be made payable to N.C. Division of Employment Security. Remember to include your name and claimant identification number while posting.
Mail the checks or money orders to:
N.C. Division of Employment Security
Benefits Payment Control Unit
Post Office Box 25903
Raleigh, NC 27611-5903
Further Reading: How to Settle the Overpayment of Benefits
Benefits Extension
The state offers a benefits extension when the unemployment rate is too high, or there is an economic downturn. Contact DES to know more about the benefits extension in the state.
Job Training Assistance
The workforce system of North Carolina, NCWorks, provides ample training and education opportunities to job seekers. The platform provides a whole list of career services to help job seekers prepare better for the changing dynamics of the job market.
NCWorks offers the following services to job-seekers free of charge:
- Offers career assessment and guidance to those who are seeking to find job opportunities
- Assesses aspirants to guide them on relevant training and education programs
- Provides information to job aspirants on job fairs and workshops
- Provides access to computers with internet access in the NCWorks Center for registered job aspirants
You can avail of the following services online on the website of NCWorks:
- Exploring job opportunities
- Resume Builder
- Job market trends
- Letter Builder
- Virtual Recruiter (This feature helps in scheduling a recurring search for job openings that matches your qualification)
The NCWorks also helps job aspirants find workplace training as the requirements of the job aspirants. The center also offers ollowing options to help you acquire some job experience:
- Internship
- On-the-job training
- Apprenticeship
Locations and Phone Numbers
You can pay a visit to your closest DES office to get more information on unemployment insurance and any services related to it. The local DES offices will provide updated information on all of your queries. Locate the closest local DES office to your locationAlternatively, you may also contact the DES over the telephone to find answers to all of your queries. The following table contains the requisite numbers you will need during the course of your benefit period in North Carolina:
NC Unemployment Office Phone Numbers
| File Claim via Telephone | 888-372-3453/1-877-841-9617 |
| Customer Call Center area | 888-737-0259 |
| DES Recovery Specialist | 919-707-1338 |
| Public Appeals | 919-707-1060 |
| Government & Public Relations | 919-707-1010 |
Note - Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Frequently Asked Question
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”).
To receive benefits:
- Under state law, you need to make contact with at least three different employers every week and record your work search. You can satisfy one of the three job contacts requirement by attending an approved reemployment activity offered by a NCWorks Career Center or a partnering agency.
- You need to register with a jobseeker account on NCWorks.gov. You can use NCWorks.gov to search and apply for jobs, access labor market information and find opportunities for workforce training.
You can register by -
- Visiting www.NCWorks.gov and create an account. Click on the link that says 'Not Registered?' and then select 'Individual' under Option 3 - ‘Create a User Account.’ The website will then guide you through the steps to complete your account setup.
- Maintain an active account. If you have not logged in for more than 90 days into NCWorks.gov, you must log in and verify your information to reactivate your registration.
NOTE: If you are still employed but are temporarily laid off due to a decrease in workload, your employer may file an attached claim on your behalf. Attached claims do not require that you register for work or actively seek work. If your employer refuses to file an attached claim on your behalf, you must file your own claim and meet all eligibility requirements.
You need to wait for up to 48 hours for payments to fully process.
I went to prison in 2011 and I was in the appeal process of my benefits i filed every week I would like to know if I could get those benefits now that Iam out and I am working at a day labor place is there any action that Ican take for back unemployment claims?I never receiveund another hearing because I got locked up.
I dont recieve my deposit this week they suppose to deposit on tuesday ?
I work seasonal at a landscape company….my job goes from April to aug/sept. will I be able to draw when I am laid off in aug? My employer pays in to unemployment.
I filed a new claim on Monday but it still shows an old claim from two years ago. I received a conformation email on Monday. How long does it take to show on website?
I work for the government & we will be furlouhging from July 12 – September 20, that is working 4 days a week, Can I apply for unemployment?
I left my job because I have to live the state
I was working with a temp agency at a hospital for 9 months, the assignment end and they did not hire me. Am I eligible for unemployment benefits?
I was let go today and was told the company no longer needs my services.
I didnt mail my appeal letter back, can i possibly still receive benefits
Hi Sharelle,
You may not be able to receive benefits.
U may be wrong about that. I spoke with an appeal adjudicator and she informed me that i may still do my appeal as long as i have a reason as to why it wasnt mailed back in time. I may still receive my benefits
Hi Sharelle,
That is good news! All the best. I am sorry about my not-so-accurate reply.
I was just layed off from NASCAR out of Concord, NC. Do I file for unemployment benefits with NC?
as follow to this layoff, I live in SC. Which state do I file in?
Hi Richard,
You can go ahead file for unemployment in NC. But, you may have to continue to search for work where you stay.
I immigrated to the U.S. in October, 2012 but haven’t found a job yet. Am I, as a green card holder, eligible for unemployment benefits?
Hi Sam,
Unemployment benefits are available to workers who were laid off. These benefits are funded by the state government using the taxes collected from the employers. Since you have not earned in USA, you aren’t eligible to receive unemployment benefits.
I am being furloughed 4 days a month and losing 20% of my pay due to the sequestration. the furlough will be effective 7/8/13 and is not expected to go into the next fiscal year. Am I able to receive partial employment to help bridge the gap? I am going to lose approximately $600.00 a month. Thank you for your time
Hi Debbie,
If you are working for less than 32 hours a week (in a general case), you are mostly eligible to receive unemployment benefits. Seek partial unemployment benefits if the reduction represents at least 50 percent of a normal 40-hour work week. Mostly, if the pay is significantly cut, then there are chances that you receive unemployment.
About a month ago I filed for unenployment benefits using your automated system. Since then I have been engaged in job search activities, but have landed nothing yet.
However, I have not yet recieved any benefits.
What do I need to do to get my benefits?
Andrew
Hi Andrew,
You seem to have filed your initial claim. Have you received a determination letter form the unemployment office? This will let you know if you have qualified to receive unemployment benefits from the state. It is necessary to search for job and good you have been doing your part. But, have you filed your weekly / biweekly claims? This is the second part of your unemployment claiming procedure where you are required to report to the unemployment office to let them know you have been unemployed and you are continuing to meet the requirements to receive unemployment benefits.
If you have filed your weekly claims, you might want to check with a claims specialist to know what is delaying your pay.
I have recently been injured and unable to work due to doctors orders. its only a four month recovery so I cannot collect disability or workmans comp since it didn’t happen on the job. am I eligible for unemployment?
Hi Frankie,
If you are unable or unavailable to work, you will not be eligible to receive unemployment benefits. Short term disability benefits might be able to help.
what would be the approx. pay out if a person had been making 3,000.00 per month.
Hi Alvin,
If a person earned $3000.00 every month for a year, the weekly benefit amount will be approximately $346.00. If the person is working part time or is receiving severance pay, holiday pay etc, then that amount will be deducted from the weekly benefit amount.
Our son quit a job as a server to move to another job market. He was approved for unemployment benefits. He drew benefits for 3 weeks and was then notified that his benefits were being terminated. Now he is being told that he has to pay back the monies he was paid. How can that be correct when the state approved him to draw benefits?
Hi Ruth,
The state government can withdraw benefits if they find the recipient not suitable. Some document produced might have been wrong or may be some calculation they carried out went wrong for them to withdraw his benefits. You should be able to collect the reasons from them for the same.
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.
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.
https://www.fileunemployment.org/north-carolina/eligibility
https://www.fileunemployment.org/north-carolina/application
If I have had my hours reduced from 40+/week Exempt status to 24/week, am I eligible for unemployment.
Can I apply for partial unemployment if I do not work full time, but my hours were cut from 39 to 24?
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
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 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
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 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.
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 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.
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?
Are partial unemployment benefits available if one is working a 60 day temp job paying $11.50 an hour?
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???
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?
my unemployment is late all yhe time my employer file when ever is this wrght
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???
What happens to my weekly claim if I obtain a new position mid-week? How does that effect that weeks claim?
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.
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?
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 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
how long must I have been employed to be eligible
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?
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 base period has 1 qtr of work in North Carolina and rest is California.Am I eligible for unemployment benefits
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.
WHEN CAN I COLLECT IF I RECEIVED SEVERANCE PAY
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 :-)
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.
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 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?
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 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?
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?