What If I Was Receiving Pandemic Unemployment Benefits
- Some Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation claimants became eligible for state unemployment benefits at the beginning of their new benefit year but were allowed to stay on PEUC under state and federal guidelines. After September 4, 2021, these claimants will be moved back onto state benefits at their new weekly benefit amount, without a gap in payments. Claimants in this situation do not need to file a new claim for state unemployment benefits.
- Self-employed workers or independent contractors who were receiving unemployment benefits through Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and Mixed Earners Unemployment Compensation will no longer be eligible for unemployment after September 4, 2021.
- The Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation , that provided an additional $300 in unemployment benefits, is ending September 4, 2021.
What Is Unemployment Insurance Tax
As an employer, you pay Unemployment Insurance tax on your payrolls. This UI tax pays for the benefits that are paid to qualified, unemployed workers. Unemployment tax is not deducted from employee wages.
N.C. Commerce’s Division of Employment Security transfers unemployment tax payments made by employers to the federal Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund in Washington, D.C. Each year, a prorated share of the interest earned on this trust fund is added back to the account of each North Carolina employer having a credit experience rating balance.
File After Initial Application For Unemployment Insurance Benefits
Claimants should not wait to file weekly certifications until they hear from DES that they are eligible for benefits. They must file a weekly certification within 14 days after each week of unemployment to receive unemployment insurance payments. A claimant should allow up to 48 hours for payments to be fully processed. DES provides payments by direct deposit or a debit card issued by Bank of America.
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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.
Contacting North Carolina Department Of Commerce Division Of Employment Security
While 888-737-0259 is North Carolina Department of Commerce Division of Employment Security’s best toll-free number, there are 2 total ways to get in touch with them. The next best way to talk to their customer support team may just be to tell GetHuman about your issue and let us try to find the best way to contact them or find help for that particular issue. Besides calling, the next favorite option for customers looking for help is via [email protected] for Customer Service. If you think this information is inaccurate or know of other ways to contact North Carolina Department of Commerce Division of Employment Security please let us know so we can share with other customers.
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North Carolina Unemployment Benefits At A Glance
North Carolina Benefits Eligibility
You are eligible for unemployment benefits in North Carolina if you are out of work through no fault of your own and you have earned at least a minimum amount in the time before you lost your job.
In North Carolina, you are eligible for benefits if:
- you earned wages in at least two quarters of the base period
- you earned at least six times the states average weekly insured wage during the base period, and
- you earned at least $780 in the last two quarters of the base period.
North Carolina Unemployment Benefit Amount
In North Carolina, you can calculate your weekly benefit by adding up your wages in the last two quarters of the base period and dividing that amount by 52. If your weekly benefit amount is less than $15, you wont receive any benefits.
How Long Your Unemployment Benefits Will Last in North Carolina
In North Carolina, the duration of benefits depends on the states unemployment rate when you apply. The maximum period for which you may receive benefits is 12 to 20 weeks.
What Does North Carolina Unemployment Office Do
North Carolina Unemployment office is North Carolina state workforce, labor and unemployment agency that provides services and information including:
* Administers the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund.* Collection of employers funds.* Employment services to employers and job seekers.* Employment and wage data.* Research and the development of sound public workforce policy.* Development of education programs.
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Nc Unemployment Customer Support Phones
- NC Unemployment Customer Support Phone is 1-888-737-0259. Live customer service representatives from NC Unemployment are available from 8am to 6pm Monday-Friday, from 8am to 5pm Saturday, from 12am to 5pm Sunday.
- For Pandemic Unemployment Assistance you need to dial 1-866-847-7209.
- For Fraud Hotline you need to dial 1-984-465-9224. Live customer service representatives from NC Unemployment are available from 8am to 5pm Monday-Friday, Saturday-Sunday closed.
- For Employer Call Center with questions or assistance regarding taxes, List of Charges/Potential Charges, sign in and password resets you need to dial 1-866-278-3822. Live customer service representatives from NC Unemployment are available from 8am to 4:30pm Monday-Friday, Saturday-Sunday closed.
How To Talk To A Live Person In Nc Unemployment Customer Service
If you need to speak to a live customer service representative in NC Unemployment customer service you need to dial 1-888-737-0259. To speak with a live agent, you need to press 1 , then press 5 and stay on the line .
Alternatively you can use the following other options available in the customer service phone menu:
- If you need to apply for unemployment or need assistance signing into to your account press 1.
- If you calling to check the status of your claim press 2.
- If you have an appeal and unfavorable unemployment insurance determination, will need assistance filing an appeal press 4.
- For all other inquiries press 5.
- To repeat these menu options press 9.
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Impacted By The Coronavirus How To File For Unemployment In Nc
Web servers updated to handle traffic influx
WILMINGTON, N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper issued an Executive Order Tuesday in response to the coronavirus pandemic that limits bars and restaurants to takeout and delivery orders only. No one is allowed to eat inside these establishments.
Many people in the service and hospitality industries, among others, have lost their jobs during this tumultuous time.
The reality is, people will be losing jobs and businesses have lost customers, Governor Cooper said.
That being said, Coopers executive order does the following:
- removes the one-week waiting period to apply for unemployment benefits for those workers who lose their jobs
- removes the requirement that a person must look for another job during this time when so many potential employers are closed and social distancing guidelines are in effect
- allows employees who lose their jobs or, in certain cases have their hours reduced due to COVID-19 issues, to apply for unemployment benefits
- waives the requirement that part of the application process be in person
- directs that these unemployment losses wont be counted against employers
Before you begin to file your claim, make sure you have the following information available:
These changes are to benefit individuals who, as a result of the coronavirus, become unemployed, have had their hours reduced or are prevented from working due to a medical condition caused by the virus.
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If I Did Not Receive My 1099
You may download a copy of your current Certain Government Payments from the DES website at no charge. Your current 1099-G remains on the DES website for one year. After its removal from the website, you may request a copy of your 1099-G by submitting a written request by mail, facsimile or email to:
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Do You Meet The Minimum Earnings Requirement
Virtually all states look at your recent work history and earnings during a one-year âbase periodâ to determine your eligibility for unemployment. . In North Carolina, as in most states, the base period is the earliest four of the five complete calendar quarters before you filed your benefits claim. For example, if you filed your claim in October of 2019, the base period would be from June 1, 2018, through May 31, 2019.
During the base period, your earnings must meet both of the following requirements:
- You must have earned wages in at least two quarters of the base period.
- You must have earned at least $790 in one of the last two quarters of the base period.
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Wage Base And Tax Rates
UI tax is paid on each employees wages up to a maximum annual amount. That amount, known as the taxable wage base, increases slightly each year in North Carolina. Recently it has been around $22,000.
Unlike other states, North Carolina currently also charges a 20% surtax for the states Unemployment Insurance Reserve Fund. This surtax will be imposed until the amount in that fund equals or exceeds $1 billion. The state does not expect to reach this amount, and cancel the surtax, before 2017 at the earliest.
For an overview of the latest rate and wage base information, check DESs online FAQ page.
One piece of good news is that state UI tax payments generally can be credited against your FUTA taxes. In most other states 100% of the payments can be credited, but in North Carolina only 83.33% can be credited while the surtax for the Unemployment Insurance Reserve Fund is in effect.
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S To Create An Online Account
IMPORTANT: USE A VALID EMAIL ADDRESS WHEN YOU CREATE YOUR ACCOUNT.
1. Click on Create an Online Account on the DES homepage, des.nc.gov.
2. Enter your Social Security Number twice.
3. Select Next. On the User Account Creation page:
- Create a User Name .
- Enter a valid email address twice.
- Enter your contact phone number.
- Create a Password .
4.Select Create Account.
5.You can now Sign In at des.nc.gov. Use the User Name and Password you entered when creating your Online Account in Step 3.
How Unemployment Works In North Carolina
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Whos Eligible To File For Unemployment In New Carolina
As with all states, New Carolina has strict guidelines about who can file for unemployment and who cant. Typically, workers will need to meet the following requirements to be considered eligible:
- Legally authorized to work in the US
- Unemployed through no fault of their own
- Able, willing and available to work
However, as thebalancecareers.com notes, the Department of Labor has expanded the eligibility requirements in response to the crisis. Under the following circumstances, the work-search requirement will no longer apply:
- An employer stops operations on a temporary basis due to novel coronavirus, preventing employees from coming to work.
- An individual is quarantined with the expectation of returning to their previous place of work once the quarantine is over.
- An individual leaves their job due to a risk of exposure, infection or to care for a family member.
In a further expansion of the eligibility criteria, those who would not normally be considered eligible to apply namely, the self-employed, gig workers, and freelancers are now able to claim support. Regardless of why you became unemployed, its still expected that you meet minimum income requirements. To be eligible for UI, youll need to have earned wages in at least 2 quarters of the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters and have earned at least $780 in 1 of the last 2 quarters of the same period.
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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 youâre 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 youâve 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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Tips For Filing For Unemployment Benefits
When youre filing for unemployment benefits, its important to read all the information you receive from the Division of Employment Security, know your responsibilities and provide accurate information. If you dont, you may have to pay back benefits you were not eligible to receive, or you may be committing fraud.
Follow these Tips for Filing for Unemployment Benefits to avoid errors and help ensure you receive proper benefit payments.
North Carolina Changes Unemployment Benefit Requirements To Assist Employees Dealing With Covid
On March 17, 2020, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper issued Executive Order 118, which, among other measures, makes temporary changes to North Carolinas unemployment benefits program in order to assist employees and employers dealing with economic hardship and uncertainty brought on by the current spread of COVID-19. These changes will make it easier for individuals whose jobs are impacted by the virus to apply for and receive unemployment benefits, and ease the burden on employers by not allocating charges to their accounts for COVID-19 related benefits.
What Does Executive Order 118 Change About Applying for Benefits?
Executive Order 118 makes several temporary changes to the administration of unemployment benefits under North Carolina law. While recently terminated employees must generally wait for a period of one week before applying for unemployment benefits, the Executive Order removes that requirement, while also removing the requirements that employees must be actively seeking work, allowing workers who temporarily lose their jobs because of COVID-19 to quickly apply for benefits.
Finally, the Executive Order postpones in-person application and other in-person contact, and allows individuals to apply for benefits and submit weekly certifications by phone or over the internet.
How does Executive Order 118 Impact Employers?
What do These Changes Mean for Employers and Employees?
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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.
Reemployment Services And Eligibility Assessment
The Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment program delivers regularly scheduled case management services when youâre 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 Centersubsequent appointments may be conducted by telephone or e-mail. If you do not report for your scheduled appointment, your benefits may be affected.
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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.
