How To File For North Carolina Unemployment
This page provides information on how to file for unemployment in North Carolina. If you lost your job or your hours were reduced at no fault of your own, you may qualify to receive unemployment benefits in your state. Review the information below, if you still have questions or issues about these benefits, then we suggest to contact your local North Carolina Unemployment Department for assistance. It is important that you file your new claim right away because North Carolina unemployment insurance are not retroactive.
There are 3 independent criteria that individuals must meet to be eligible for unemployment benefits:
- You must be unemployed due to no fault of your own
- You must be monetarily eligible
- You must be able, available and actively seeking work
In order to receive unemployment insurance payments you must be registered for work with your state Employment Service Agency. North Carolina residents must register forwork with the NCWorks Career Center at www.NCWorks.gov. Out of state residents must register for work with the state in which they currently live.
When should I file a claim for UI benefits?You should file a claim for benefits if you have become unemployed through no fault of your own, you are willing to register for work and actively seek employment, and you are able and available to work if any work is offered to you. 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.
What are the requirements for filing a valid claim?You must have worked in employment subject to UI tax (known as covered employment) and received wages in at least two quarters of your base period. You must also have been paid wages totaling at least six times the average weekly insured wage 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. You may use the Benefit Calculator to estimate your potential UI benefits.
Base PeriodYour base period is the time frame used to determine whether you are monetarily eligible to receive unemployment payments. It normally includes the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters.
Alternative Base PeriodIf you lack enough base period wages, DES may use an alternative base period to determine whether you are eligible for UI benefits. The alternative base period consists of the last four completed calendar quarters immediately before the first day of your benefit year.
Your benefit year is the 52-week period from the date you register for work and first file a valid claim. If you are still attached to your employer's payroll, your benefit year begins on the Sunday before your payroll week ends. If you are not attached to an employer's payroll, your benefit year begins on the Sunday of the calendar week that you file a valid claim and register for work.
What is the average weekly insured wage?The average weekly insured wage is calculated by dividing the total wages reported by all covered employers for a calendar year by the average monthly number of employees during that year and dividing that number by 52.
Can I file a claim if I am not a US citizen?If you are not a citizen or national of the United States, you must have legal authority to work in the US You must present either:
- Alien registration documents or other proof of immigration registration from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) that contains your alien registration number or alien file number or
- Other document the State determines provides reasonable evidence of satisfactory immigration status. If you have not provided any acceptable form of documentation showing satisfactory immigration status, you will not be eligible for benefits
Filing for North Carolina unemployment benefits
The fastest and most efficient way to file a new claim is to file online. If you don't have access to a computer, you may file over the phone by calling 877-841-9617. Either method is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Determining weekly benefit amount
Your weekly benefit amount is the amount of money you may receive each week. This is calculated by dividing your total of wages in the last two quarters by 52. That number is then rounded to the next lower whole dollar. In order to receive a payment, the total must equal to or exceed $15. The exact amount of benefits and the length of time that you may get benefits cannot be determined until you actually file your claim for benefits. You may use the Benefit Calculator to estimate your potential benefits.
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. Please choose one of the following methods below:
- The fastest and most efficient way to complete your weekly certification is online at weekly certification. This option allows you to certify for weekly benefits beginning on Sunday for the calendar week that ended the preceding Saturday
- If you don't have access to a computer, you can file by telephone at 888-372-3453, based on your social security number. Call Monday & Wednesday through Saturday if your social security number ends in an odd number. If your social security number ends in an even number, you may call Tuesday through Saturday.
You will generally receive your unemployment payments by direct deposit or debit card.
