How Do I Apply
DES recommends that you apply online because the telephone system is often overwhelmed with calls. If you apply online, it is best if you use a computer instead of a phone.
Unemployment Insurance In North Carolina
- See also: Unemployment insurance in the states
Unemployment insurance is a term that refers to a joint federal and state program that provides temporary monetary benefits to eligible laid-off workers who are actively seeking new employment. Qualifying individuals receive unemployment compensation as a percentage of their lost wages in the form of weekly cash benefits while they search for new employment.
The federal government oversees the general administration of state unemployment insurance programs. The states control the specific features of their unemployment insurance programs, such as eligibility requirements and length of benefits.
Although the word insurance is in the term, a few key differences distinguish unemployment insurance from private insurance plans such as home insurance, car insurance, or health insurance. In most states, employersrather than individuals themselvespay unemployment taxes that fund state unemployment insurance programs. When an individual loses their employment , state-administered unemployment insurance programs provide temporary monetary benefits to the former employee. Unemployment insurance compensation is not intended to replace lost wages it is designed to replace a portion of the individual’s lost wages with the goal of providing financial support as an individual searches for a new job.
This page provides information about the unemployment insurance program in North Carolina.
What Is An Earning Allowance
Your earning allowance is the amount of money you can earn without reducing your weekly benefit amount. Earnings over this amount are deducted dollar-for-dollar from your weekly benefits. You must always report your gross earnings for any work performed during any week you claim benefits.
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Determine Your Weekly Benefit Amount
Weekly Benefit Amounts are gauged in North Carolina according to this formula:
- Add up your wages in the last two quarters of the base period
- Divide that amount by 52
EXAMPLE: If your wages in the last two quarters were $20,000, you would divide $20,000 by 52 to come up with $384. Because the Maximum Weekly Benefit Amount in North Carolina is $350, you will not receive $384, but instead you will receive the maximum of $350 each claim week.
NOTE: If your Weekly Benefit Amount is under $15, you will receive no benefits.
As Nc Honors New Unemployment Claims How Much Can Workers Collect
North Carolinians laid off as a result of the coronavirus outbreak could receive benefits as early as Monday, March 30.
A spokesman for the Division of Employment Security told Carolina Journal that moves by the Cooper administration streamlining the benefit process will speed those checks. But the benefits are capped as incomes rise.
A workers weekly unemployment benefit in North Carolina is generally half his weekly pay before he became unemployed. The maximum eligible weekly wage is $700. To get the maximum weekly benefit of $350, a worker must have earned at least $18,200 over the previous two quarters. Thats the period used to set the benefit amount.
Anyone making $36,400 or more a year should qualify for the $350 maximum.
The state lets workers collect benefits for 12 weeks, making the most you could receive $4,200.
If Congress passes the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act now before the Senate, the federal government will boost weekly benefits by as much as $600 and for as long as four months.
The Senate may vote on the bill Wednesday. The House is set to convene Thursday at 9 a.m. President Trump has said he would sign the bill.
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How Will I Receive My Payments
You wont receive your first payment immediately, since theres a one-week waiting period before payments begin.
The DES pays weekly unemployment insurance payments through direct deposit into your bank account or on a DES debit card issued by Bank of America. You can use the card anywhere Visa debit cards are accepted. Be aware, though, you may encounter fees if you use the card at an ATM thats not a Bank of America or Allpoint ATM, or if you use it outside of the country.
Estimated Weekly Benefit Rate
The calculator returns your estimated WBA based on your average weekly wage during the base period.
Your WBA is the sum of your two most recent quarters divided by 52. If the resulting figure is less than $15, your WBA will be zero.
If eligible, the maximum WBA is $350.
The calculator will return an estimated weekly benefit rate of $0, if it appears that you do not meet the eligibility requirements described above.
Your WBA may be reduced by other compensation that you receive and certain mandated payments, such as delinquent child support payments.
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Will I Have To Pay Taxes On My Unemployment Benefits
Unemployment insurance is taxable income and must be reported on your IRS federal income tax return. This includes the federally funded enhanced extended benefits provided in 2020 and 2021. Your local state unemployment agency will send you form 1099-G to file with your tax return . This form is sent in late January and outlines the amount of benefits paid to you during the previous year. You can choose to withhold income tax during the year with 10 percent being the maximum generally allowed.
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Are Weekly Claim Certifications Required In North Carolina
Yes. To continue to receive benefits each week, you must certify your claim. You can do this online at the DES website or file by telephone by calling 888-372-3453.
You must follow these NC Unemployment guidelines:
- For North Carolina unemployment eligibility, the earliest you can file a weekly certification is on each Sunday. The questions you will need to answer will cover the prior seven-day period of Sunday through Saturday.
- You must file your North Carolina weekly claims within 14 days from the week ending date that you are claiming. For DES purposes, the week begins on Sunday and ends on Saturday.
- If you do not file within that 14 day period, you will not be able to claim benefits for that week. You will be required to reopen your claim and serve another unpaid waiting week.
- If you use the telephone to file your claim and the last number of your Social Security number is an odd number, you will need to call in and file your claim on Monday for each week. If your Social Security number ends in an even number, you will need to call in on Tuesday. If you miss either of these days, you can also call in on Wednesday through Sunday.
- The hours to file your claim by both computer and by telephone are 8 am to midnight.
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What Is The Covid
IBA was created by North Carolinas HB 1105, Coronavirus Relief Act 3.0.
People who are eligible for the COVID-19 Increased Benefit Amount will receive a $50 increase in their weekly unemployment benefit amount starting with the benefit week that began on Sept. 6 through no later than the benefit week ending Dec. 26, 2020.
What Are The Requirements To Qualify For Unemployment Benefits In North Carolina
To be eligible to receive payments you must meet the requirements as set forth by the DES. The state has three basic criteria.
- You must be unemployed through no fault of your own. This means that you were laid off or let go due to lack of work. You will not be eligible for benefits if you were fired for misconduct or you voluntarily quit.
- You must be monetarily eligible. To be able to receive benefits, you must meet certain minimum wage criteria. This means you have earned qualifying dollar amounts during your Base Period.
You must be able, available and actively seeking work. The state maintains that you must contact at least five employers each week you claim benefits as part of your requirements. In addition, it is mandatory that you must register with the states job search and training program NCWorks.gov.
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Web And/or Phone Issues With Accessing The North Carolina Unemployment System
Over 2.2 million unemployment benefit claims have been filed since March 15. As a result, the DES has experienced an unprecedented call volume and delays in online claim processing due to required updates for federal programs. Although the DES has hired additional personnel, they strongly encourage new claimants to apply online. Effective August 24, weekly claims must be filed online.
Existing Claimants: Claimants receiving unemployment benefits due to the coronavirus pandemic must continue to certify every week to receive the additional FPUC $600/week benefit. The extra $600/week compensation is retroactive to the week beginning on March 29 and ends on July 31. FPUC payments are automatically added to the weekly benefit payment. The DES started making payments under this program on April 15.
Upon exhausting regular unemployment benefits, you must file a separate application to receive PEUC benefits. Once youve signed in to your account online, you will see a link to Apply for Pandemic Unemployment Compensation. If you are not eligible for PEUC, you will not see this link on your account.
Claimants that have exhausted both regular unemployment and PEUC benefits may be eligible for an additional 9.6 weeks of unemployment benefits. If eligible, claimants will see a link to Apply for Extended Benefits on their account.
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:
- Through the Internet You can file your weekly claim online. You must have a User ID and PIN to file your weekly claim online.
- 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 will receive your unemployment benefits one week after filing the claim.
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When Do My Benefits End
North Carolina determines the number of weeks you may get unemployment based on the statewide unemployment rate, which is adjusted seasonally. North Carolina unemployment insurance benefits are typically available for anywhere from 12 weeks to 20 weeks but may be extended during times of economic crisis.
Under normal circumstances your unemployment payments may end earlier if you fail to meet continuing eligibility requirements. Youre typically required to keep a written record of your job search by filing a new claim via your online account weekly. Failure to file the weekly certification of benefits on time will stop your benefit payment for that week, and youll have to reopen your claim and delay payment with a new waiting period.
How Do I File For Unemployment Benefits In North Carolina
Although you can file an unemployment claim by phone, fax, or email, the quickest way to file North Carolina unemployment applications is through the DES website.
If you dont have access to a computer, you can file your initial claim and ongoing weekly claims by calling the DES Customer Call Center at 888-737-0259.
To avoid a delay in receiving benefits, you should file a claim as soon as your job has come to an end or you have worked less than three full-time days in a week. If you are filing a claim for the first time, youll be required to create a personalized PIN that will allow you to access your claim information through the North Carolina unemployment website. You will also use this pin to access the North Carolina unemployment phone number system.
You will need to supply the following information when you open an initial claim:
Like many other states, the North Carolina unemployment program has a one-week waiting period. You will not be paid any benefits during this week. You will need to serve an unpaid waiting week each time you apply for North Carolina unemployment benefits during your established benefit year.
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To 2022 Maximum Weekly Unemployment Benefits By State
Listed in the table below are the latest maximum weekly unemployment insurance benefit/compensation amounts by state. The Unemployment compensation program is designed to provide benefits to most individuals out of work or in between jobs, through no fault of their own.
Note, the table below contains the the maximum regular weekly unemployment insurance compensation including adjustments for dependents where applicable. It does not include federally funded enhanced and supplementary benefits which expired on September 6th.
In many states the number of dependents you have and your average maximum weekly wage will impact the unemployment benefits you are eligible to receive. Please check the respective state unemployment page or website referenced in the table below for state specific UI details, benefit eligibility and process to claim/file for benefits.
Get the latest on the federal enhanced unemployment programs and associated extensions. This includes Pandemic Unemployment Assistance for self employed and independent contractors and extended state UI benefit coverage under the PEUC program.
In addition, various supplementary weekly payouts like the recent $300 FPUC and $100 Mixed Earners Compensation are now available to unemployed or underemployed workers. Also see which states are ending these benefits early.
Stay In the Know:
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Maximum Weekly Unemployment Insurance Benefit Amounts by State
extended unemployed benefits
Who Is A Base Period Employer
Your base period employer is any covered employer who reported wages for you during the base period of your claim. All base period employers are potentially responsible for a proportional share of charges based on the percentage of benefits reported for you during your base period.
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How Are Benefits Calculated
The formula and method to calculate benefits are very state-specific. About half of the states use the highest quarter method in which the calendar quarter in which your earnings are the highest is taken into consideration. In other states, your income throughout the base period is summed up to check whether or not youre eligible.Unemployment is computed and can range from one-half of what was your weekly pay at the time of the discharge up to your states maximum benefit. You will have to verify with your states unemployment office to see the highest payout for your state. For further details refer to the unemployment benefits article.
To calculate your weekly benefits amount, you should:
If I Live In North Carolina How Do I File An Interstate Claim
If you live in North Carolina, but do not have wages in North Carolina, you can file an interstate claim in the state where you have wages. You must contact the agency responsible for UI claims in that state and follow its instructions for filing your claim.
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Assistance With Job Searches
NC Works Career Centers are reopening, but some are only open in limited capacities. The way to determine what services are available at a specific center is to check the NC Works page and determine how to get help. Some centers, like the Alamance Center, are open to the public, but limited staff and a limited number of customers are allowed inside at a time. Other centers, like the Alexander Center, offer virtual services only. The Mecklenburg/Charlotte Center, offers services virtually and by appointment.
How To File An Initial Claim In Your State
- If you have been separated from work, you can file your initial claim during your first week of total or partial unemployment.
- Your Social Security Number
- You can file your first claim in two ways: by calling the TeleClaim Center or visiting a One-Stop Career Center close to you. It might not be possible to file an initial claim online in some states.
- If you have received severance pay upon your separation from work, you may still be eligible for unemployment benefits. So it is still important to call and file your initial claim during your first week of total or partial unemployment.
- If eligible for unemployment benefits, you can expect to receive your first payment within 3-4 weeks if there are no issues with your claim.
- In general, it takes approximately 3 weeks to process a claim however, you will still need to claim benefits every week.
The information you need before filing a claim:
If You Are Not a United States Citizen
You must give a verification that you were legally eligible to work in your state and that you are presently eligible to begin a new job.
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