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.
Amount And Duration Of Unemployment Benefits In North Carolina
The DES determines your weekly benefit amount by adding your wages earned in the last two quarters of the base period and dividing that number by 52, up to a maximum benefit of $350 per week. Benefits are typically available for up to 20 weeks, although the federal government has temporarily extended benefits by an additional 13 weeks through the end of March 2021. For an estimate of your potential weekly benefits, use the DES Estimate of Unemployment Insurance Benefits Calculator.
How Can I Apply
The fastest way to file a claim for unemployment benefits in North Carolina is online at des.nc.gov. To file a claim online, you must create an online account with the DES. You can also file a claim by calling the DES customer call center at 888-737-0259.
To expedite the filing process, make sure you have the following required information on hand:
- Your Social Security number
- Details about why you separated from your last job, along with any vacation, retirement or severance pay received or owed to you
- Your bank account routing and account numbers for direct deposit
- Work history for all employers over the last two years, including employer name, address, phone number, dates of employment, rates of pay and reason for separation
Non-citizens, former federal employees and former members of the military have additional documentation requirements.
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How To Apply For Unemployment In North Carolina
The Division of Employment Security of the North Carolina Department of Commerce handles all unemployment insurance benefits claims and weekly submissions. Before you apply, make sure you have your social security number and history of past employment available. Youll also need the routing and account number for your account if you want your weekly benefits payments deposited to your bank account. Use the links below to begin:
You must be unemployed due to no fault of your own, monetarily eligible, physically able to work, and registered for work search at NCWorksOnline to collect unemployment benefits.
Filing Your Initial Claim and Weekly Certifications
You can file your initial unemployment claim over the telephone by calling 737-0259, but youll get faster results if you file online. Create an online account on the DES Home Page by entering your social security number and creating a username. Youll also need a valid email address and contact phone number to complete the sign-up process.
Once your account is created and verified, you can login to file your initial unemployment insurance claim. The initial claim is for review only. You start to receive payments when you file your first weekly certification. Youll need to certify that youre still unemployed, ready and able to work if asked, and that you can physically and mentally handle the requirements of your job.
North Carolina Work Search Requirement
Appeals Process for Denial of Benefits
Desnc Gov Sign In Contact Us
https://des.nc.gov/need-help/contact-us
Individuals and claimants should contact the Customer Call Center with questions regarding benefits and assistance with unemployment insurance claims, sign in or password resets.
Customer Call Center: 888-737-0259 .
Fax: 919-857-1296
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Fraud Hotline: 984-465-9224
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Reemployment Services And Eligibility Assessment
The Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment program delivers regularly scheduled case management services when you’re looking for work. In this program, local staff provide the following services:
- Information on careers and the labor market
- An assessment and an eligibility review
- Help with developing a reemployment plan
- Referrals to at least two reemployment-related services, such as workshops or training opportunities
- An orientation to reemployment services
Enrollment in the program can last up to 10 weeks.
During the initial visit, you may be required to report in-person to an NCWorks Career Center subsequent appointments may be conducted by telephone or e-mail. If you do not report for your scheduled appointment, your benefits may be affected.
If Youve Recently Become Unemployed In North Carolina You May Have Options To File For Unemployment
If you need to apply for unemployment benefits in the Tarheel State, here are some things to know.
The North Carolina Division of Employment Security, or DES, administers the states unemployment insurance benefits program.
Unemployment insurance benefits programs are run jointly between the federal government and individual states like North Carolina. While each state has its own eligibility requirements, benefit amounts and maximum benefit periods, there are also federal guidelines for how state programs should work.
Employers pay an unemployment insurance tax to fund North Carolinas unemployment program. If you qualify for unemployment, your benefits will come from funds that employers have paid into the program.
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How To Apply For Unemployment Benefits In North Carolina
The fastest and most efficient way to get UI benefits is to file an initial claim online. However, if youd prefer, you also may file by phone through North Carolinas Customer Call Center at 888-737-0259.
If you choose to file online, you can click on Create an Online Account on the DES homepage and follow the instructions given for setting up an account, including choosing a PIN, which you will need to check your claims status and to file for your weekly benefits.
How To Qualify For Unemployment Benefits In North Carolina
North Carolina uses four main criteria to determine UI benefits eligibility, as outlined below:
- The claimant must be unemployed through no fault of his or her own, as determined by the information provided by both the claimant and the employer
- The claimant must have earned sufficient wages during the base period of review these wages are used to help determine benefit amounts
- The claimant must be physically able and available to accept work when offered
- The claimant must be actively seeking work, including registering for work with NCWorks Online.
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Consequences Of Failing To File Weekly Certification
When a claimant fails to file a weekly certification on time, they will not be paid unemployment benefits for that week, and will be required to reopen their claim. Typically, the claimant would also be required to serve a waiting week to receive benefits, but during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, a claimant is not required to serve the waiting period.
How Can I Qualify For North Carolina Unemployment Benefits
Typically, to be eligible for North Carolina unemployment benefits you must meet these requirements.
- Be out of work through no fault of your own the DES will decide if you meet this requirement based on information you and your former employer provide
- Have earned sufficient wages to be considered eligible
- Be physically able to work, available to work and actively looking for a job
- Register for work with NCWorks Online, the states job service office
Once you begin receiving weekly payments, youll need to take steps to maintain your eligibility, including filing weekly claims and reporting on your job search.
In North Carolina, unemployment benefits are usually available for between 12 weeks and 20 weeks. But states may choose to revise their benefits in times of economic crisis.
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How Do I Claim My Weekly Benefits
You must answer a series of questions for each calendar week that you wish to receive benefits. This is called completing your weekly certification.
- Weekly certifications must be filed online.
- If you dont have access to a computer, you can contact our customer call center by calling 1-888-737-0259.
How To File A Claim For Unemployment Benefits In North Carolina
You may file your claim for unemployment benefits online, by phone, by fax, or by mail. You can find online filing information and contact information at the DES website.
Once it receives your application, the DES will send you some documents, including a Wage Transcript and Monetary Determination indicating your potential weekly benefit amount and duration.
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North Carolina Unemployment Weekly Claims
You may file for weekly claims either online or by telephone.
To file a weekly certification you must call 1-888-372-3453.
- Claimants with odd number SSNs à Monday & Wednesday through Saturday,
- Claimants with even number SSNs à Tuesday through Saturday
While claiming online, please remember to use the logout button when you are finished using the NC DES website rather than closing the browser window. This will protect your personal information and is important if you are using a public computer, at a DES office or a library.
If you are having problems logging into the website, call 1-888-737-0259 from 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. Monday through Friday.
Note: Each application displays its own hours of availability which may differ from the above specified login availability times.
- Monday Friday 2:00 A.M. 12:00 Midnight ET
- Saturday 6:00 A.M. 12:00 Midnight ET
- Sunday 12:00 Noon 12:00 Midnight ET
Angela,
Please check if it was successfully submitted and shows on record. Else, you can call the Claims Center.
Please call the Claims Center for status. If should not take so long for sure.
North Carolina Unemployment Weekly Certification
In order to keep receiving an unemployment check every week you must file a weekly certification, also known as a weekly claim or continued claim.
The purpose of filing a weekly certification is to tell the unemployment agency that you:
1. Are currently looking for a job. 2. Did not do any work this week. 3. Did not make any money this week 4. Did not find another job. 5. Still want to receive an unemployment check or payment this week.
Therefore, it is very important to file your weekly certification every week to keep receiving your unemployment check.
If you delay in filing your weekly certification, you may not get your unemployment check on time.
Click Here: Weekly Reminder Email to get a reminder email sent to you every week so that you dont forget to file you weekly claim. This is a free service of UnemploymentHandbook.com because we want to make sure you file your weekly claim on time, and get your unemployment payment on time.
Still Have Questions?
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What If My Claim Is Rejected
If your claim is denied or the DES determines youre no longer eligible, youll receive a written notice that includes an address and instructions for appealing. But the fastest way to file an appeal is online through the DES online benefits system. Once youve filed your appeal, the DES will send a notice with the date, time and contact information for your scheduled hearing.
Your Work Search Responsibilities
To receive unemployment insurance benefits, you must seek work with at least three potential employers each week and maintain a detailed and verifiable record of your work search. If you cannot prove you looked for work, you may be considered overpaid and required to repay benefits.
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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.
Managing Your Unemployment Benefits
Once your initial unemployment claim is accepted, you must continue to submit a weekly certification for each week youd like to receive benefits. This entails answering a series of questions that will verify that you were able, available, and searching for new employment during that week.
These weekly benefit claims must be submitted online, using the account you created when you filed your initial claim. If online submission is not possible for you, you can contact the states customer call center at 888-737-0259.
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How Much Might I Get
To determine eligibility for unemployment benefits, North Carolina reviews whats known as a base period, which usually includes the first four calendar quarters of the last five quarters of your work history and wages.
If you meet wage and work requirements for the base period, the DES calculates your weekly unemployment benefit amount by looking at your total wages for the last two completed quarters and dividing that amount by 52. The total must be at least $15 or higher to receive a weekly benefit, up to a maximum of $350 per week.
For example, if your wages for the last two completed quarters were $8,000, your weekly benefit might be $153 .
Again, because states may change their benefits during times of crisis, these maximums may be different during recessions or other difficult economic situations.
Governor Cooper Announces First Covid
Today, Governor Roy Cooper announced that the first payments for the unemployment claims related to coronavirus will begin going out this week. The Division of Employment Security has received an unprecedented number of unemployment insurance claims since Governor Roy Cooper signed Executive Order No. 118 on March 17.
In the past two weeks, approximately 270,000 claims have been filed, with most of them related to COVID-19. For comparison, the state received about 7,500 claims in the first two weeks of March, before the order was issued.
Thousands of workers have lost jobs, but their bills dont stop. My administration is working overtime to get unemployment checks out now. Well keep pushing every day for more state and federal help to save our workers and their families, said Governor Cooper.
On Saturday, the Governor directed the Division of Employment Security to begin implementing the unemployment insurance provisions of the federal CARES Act. The Division of Employment of Security expects to receive guidance from the federal government later this week about how to implement the changes, including the change that allows for an additional $600 in unemployment benefits. The state expects those payments to begin approximately two weeks after that guidance is provided.
The weekly certification must be completed through the individuals online account at des.nc.gov.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROCESS
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What Happens If I Forget To File My Weekly Certification Of Benefits
In order to complete a weekly certification, you must file within fourteen days from the week ending date of the week you are attempting to claim. If you fail to complete a timely weekly certification, you will:
Are You Available And Actively Searching For Work
To maintain your eligibility for unemployment benefits, you must be able to work, available to accept a job, and looking for employment.
If you’re offered a suitable position, you must accept it. For the initial unemployment period, whether a position is suitable depends on several factors, including the level of skill and training required, the similarity between the work and your previous employment, how much the position pays, and the distance between the job site and your residence. However, after ten weeks of receiving benefits, any job that pays 120% of your weekly benefit is deemed suitable work.
You must conduct a reasonable search for work. At a minimum, you must make contact with two different employers on two separates days of the week. You should keep records of the employers you’ve contacted, the dates you made contact, and the outcome. The DES will ask you to provide a weekly certification verifying your efforts to find work. You will also be required to register for work by building a resume.
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How To Appeal A Denial Of Unemployment Benefits In North Carolina
If your unemployment claim is denied, you have ten days to appeal the decision. This is called a “Higher Authority Review” and is conducted by the DES Assistant Secretary, the Board of the Review, or another designated administrative official.
Your request for appeal must be in writing . After receiving your appeal request, the Higher Authority will review the record and make a decision. In rare cases, the Higher Authority may schedule another hearing to receive evidence. More often, a decision is made based on a review of the documents and testimony already in the record.
If you disagree with the Higher Authority decision, you may ask for reconsideration within the DES , or you may file an appeal in the North Carolina Superior Court .
The DES provides additional information on the unemployment process at its website, where you can apply for benefits online, find out current eligibility requirements and benefit amounts, learn about the appeals process, and much more.
