
How long does it take to get unemployment benefits in NC?
Performing these checks can take several weeks, and you cannot begin receiving benefits until the unemployment office verifies and approves your claim. During periods of high unemployment, the North Carolina Unemployment Office may take longer to verify and approve claims because of the number of people applying.
How long do unemployment benefits last under my state's rules?
When a state's unemployment rate exceeds a certain level, benefits may be extended for 13 to 20 additional weeks under a joint federal and state program. To find out how long your benefits will last under your state's rules, select it from the list below. How Long Will My Unemployment Benefits Last?
Who is eligible for unemployment benefits in North Carolina?
There are FOUR criteria that individuals must meet to be eligible for unemployment benefits in North Carolina: They must be unemployed due to no fault of their own (DES will make this determination based upon information provided by the individual and their last employer);
Where does North Carolina pay for its unemployment benefits?
Benefits are paid from the North Carolina’s Unemployment Insurance Fund, which is funded by a tax paid by employers. What does it mean to be monetarily eligible?

Will NC unemployment be extended in 2021?
The American Rescue Plan Act, signed into law by the President on March 11, 2021, extends the FPUC program through September 2021. FPUC provides a $300 per week benefit from Dec. 27, 2020 – Sept. 4, 2021.
Are NC unemployment benefits extended?
Claimants may receive PEUC for up to 53 weeks after exhausting state unemployment insurance benefits. The PEUC program expires Sept. 4, 2021.
Is pandemic unemployment still available?
The COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) was a social welfare payment for employees and self-employed people who lost all their employment due to the COVID-19 public health emergency. The PUP scheme is closed.
Will unemployment be extended again after September in NC?
Unemployment Benefit Extensions Per DOL Guidelines This amount is the same as the $300 weekly supplement approved under the CAA COVID relief bill (discussed in earlier updates below) was funded until March 14th, 2021 but will now be extended through to week ending September 4th, 2021.
How long can you file partial unemployment?
The period of partial unemployment for which the claim is filed may not exceed six consecutive weeks; and. The employer must also pay DES an amount equal to the full cost of unemployment benefits payable to the employee under the attached claim before the attached claim is filed.
What is eligibility for unemployment?
Eligibility is determined weekly. Ineligibility is a postponement of benefits until you meet the weekly requirements.
What is a base period employer?
Your base period employer is any covered employer (employer subject to UI tax) 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.
What is 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.
How long does a 1099-G last?
Your current 1099-G remains on the DES website for one (1) 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:
When does the benefit year start?
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 a nonmonetary determination?
A determination of qualification for benefits based on any consideration that is not monetary is a nonmonetary determination. If you quit a job, get discharged, refuse referral to a job, refuse a job, refuse to enter DWS-approved training, or fail to complete DWS-approved training, you may be disqualified.
Unemployment Benefit Basics
Unemployment benefits provide temporary payments to eligible workers who lose their job through no fault of their own. These payments can help you with expenses while you look for employment. You must be able and available for work, and actively seeking work, to receive benefits.
Before you apply
Not everyone who applies for unemployment benefits will qualify. Certain conditions must be met in order to meet initial eligibility requirements and to remain eligible to receive benefits. Filing your claim will go faster if you have the following important information before you begin.
Filing your unemployment application
You must create an online account to file an application for unemployment insurance online. Your account also provides access to the Claimant Self-Service Portal, where you can get information about your claim at any time.
File your weekly certification
You must submit a Weekly Certification after each week for which you would like to receive benefits. The Weekly Certification is a series of questions that helps verify that you were able, available and looking for work that week.
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.
Report work and earnings
You can work and earn 20% of your weekly unemployment benefit amount without penalty. Earnings over this amount are deducted from your weekly benefits.
Find a job
As you begin your search for new employment, we have many resources available to help you.
How long will unemployment benefits last in 2021?
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 long does it take to get a job after receiving unemployment?
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.
How long do you have to appeal unemployment?
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 (letter format is fine).
What are the factors that determine if a position is suitable for unemployment?
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.
How long is the PUA program?
ARP makes PUA benefits available through Labor Day 2021, and increases the maximum duration of these benefits from 50 to 79 weeks. The PEUC program provides for a federally-funded extension ...
Can you get unemployment if you are a misconductor?
As long as your actions don't rise to the level of "misconduct," you will still be eligible to receive unemployment. In North Carolina, misconduct means that the employee's actions were serious or frequent enough so as to show an intentional or careless disregard for the employer's interests.
Separation Pay
All separation payouts must be reported in your response to the Request for Separation Information. These payments may affect an individual’s unemployment insurance. People should not delay filing for benefits based upon receipt of separation pay.
Eligibility Criteria
There are FOUR criteria that individuals must meet to be eligible for unemployment benefits in North Carolina:
Base Period
A person’s unemployment insurance benefits are calculated based upon wages earned during a 12-month period.
How Much Will I Collect in Unemployment Benefits?
Learn the formula State uses to calculate your unemployment benefits, as well as the minimum and maximum amounts you can collect.
What Do I Have to Do to Keep Receiving Unemployment Benefits?
Learn the four requirements for continuing to receive unemployment benefits in State and how and where to apply for weekly unemployment benefits.
Can I Collect Unemployment Benefits If I Was Wrongfully Terminated?
If you were fired for illegal reasons, you may be eligible for unemployment benefits.
How Many Weeks of Regular State Unemployment Benefits Are Available?
"The period for collecting unemployment benefits varies by state but the maximum period for getting such benefits is 26 weeks," says David Clark, a lawyer and partner at the Clark Law Office, which has offices in Lansing and Okemos, Michigan.
What Federal Unemployment Benefits Are Available?
There are three federal unemployment benefit programs available – but not for long. They're set to end on Sept. 6. It has been estimated that approximately 7.5 million Americans are at risk for losing federal unemployment benefits.
What if I Need Unemployment Benefits After 26 Weeks? Do I Have Options?
After Sept. 6, your options may be pretty limited, other than finding employment. Of course, regular unemployment benefits will continue, and so if you became unemployed, for instance, on Aug. 20, you'd have a couple weeks of receiving extended benefits – and then you would continue receiving your regular state's unemployment benefits.
How long do you have to wait to file for unemployment?
Waiting Week. Once the unemployment office verifies your unemployment, you must wait a week before you begin to claim benefits. You do not get benefits for your week of waiting, but you must file your recertification.
What to do if unemployment claim is denied?
If your claim is denied for any reason, you have the right to appeal it. Contact the unemployment office as soon as you receive your denial letter. You must attend a hearing and provide evidence for why your claim should not be denied.
Can you interview someone about unemployment?
If there are any discrepancies, the unemployment office may interview you or otherwise investigate your claim.
How long is unemployment in the US?
Workers in most states are eligible for up to 26 weeks of benefits from the regular state-funded unemployment compensation program, although eight states provide fewer weeks, and one provides more. Extended Benefits (EB) are triggered on in ten states plus the District of Columbia. Additional weeks of federal benefits are also available in many ...
How long does unemployment last in Idaho?
Idaho currently provides up to 21 weeks for new enrollees based on its February unemployment rate; Kansas was providing 16 weeks of UI before COVID-19, but that was extended to 26 weeks; and. North Carolina currently provides up to 16 weeks for claims filed after January 3, 2021.
How long is the maximum unemployment in Arkansas?
Among the states not providing the standard 26-week maximum: Arkansas provides up to 16 weeks of regular benefits; Massachusetts provides up to 30 weeks of UI except when a federal extended benefits program is in place (as it is now) or in periods of low unemployment (as was the case through February 2020), when the maximum drops to 26 weeks; ...
What states have extended unemployment benefits?
The remaining six states periodically update their maximum weeks of UI available based on changes in the state’s unemployment rate: 1 Alabama currently provides up to 14 weeks of UI for new enrollees, with an additional five-week extension for those enrolled in a state-approved training program; 2 Georgia was providing 14 weeks of UI, but in the COVID-19 emergency that has risen to 26 weeks; 3 Florida currently provides up to 19 weeks for claims filed after January 1, 2021; 4 Idaho currently provides up to 21 weeks for new enrollees based on its February unemployment rate; 5 Kansas was providing 16 weeks of UI before COVID-19, but that was extended to 26 weeks; and 6 North Carolina currently provides up to 16 weeks for claims filed after January 3, 2021.
