May 21, 2020. Raleigh, N.C. Beginning Friday, May 22, North Carolinians who have exhausted their state unemployment insurance benefits can apply for an extension of benefits through the federal Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation program (PEUC). PEUC provides up to 13 weeks of additional assistance for people who exhausted their 12 weeks of state unemployment insurance benefits on or after July 6, 2019.
Full Answer
What is the maximum unemployment benefit in North Carolina?
- Duration should be restored to 26 weeks;
- Benefits should be based on the highest quarter of earnings;
- Waiting weeks should be eliminated, or at least reduced to a maximum of one week;
- The maximum benefit should be increased to at least $400 per week and indexed to 40 percent of the state’s average weekly wage;
How and when to file for extended unemployment benefits?
- 20 weeks of full-time covered employment
- Wages higher than 40 times your most recent weekly benefit amount or
- Total wages in the base period equal to or greater than 1.5 times the highest quarter
Which states extend unemployment benefits?
- Biden is encouraging states to use stimulus funds to help the unemployed after benefits expire.
- Janet Yellen and Marty Walsh confirmed Biden won't extend unemployment benefits past Labor Day.
- They wrote in a letter they will work with states on how stimulus funds can best be used for unemployed workers.
- See more stories on Insider's business page.
What are the unemployment benefits in North Carolina?
To be eligible for state unemployment benefits, individuals:
- Must be unemployed due to no fault of your own.
- Must have earned sufficient wages in employment that was subject to unemployment insurance tax.
- Must be physically able and available to work.
- Must be actively seeking work.
What is an alternative unemployment benefits base period?
If 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.
What is an Eligibility Review for interstate unemployment claimants?
The Eligibility Review is designed to accelerate the claimant’s return to work and systematically review your efforts toward the same goal. The questions asked are designed to explore the continuing relationship between you and the labor market.
Can I file for unemployment benefits again if I lose my job?
If you lose your job again, you may file for unemployment benefits by telephone or at the DES website.
Do I need a lawyer to file a petition for judicial review of my unemployment claim in North Carolina?
Claimants can generally represent themselves in court. Corporations must be represented in court by a licensed attorney. Representation in court must comply with North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 84 and the North Carolina State Bar Rules. You may consult an attorney for legal advice.
How do I take part in judicial review hearings for unemployment benefits?
You can become a party to the judicial review proceeding by letting the court know that you want to be a party. You must inform the court within 10 days after you receive a copy of the petition. You can inform the court by filing a notice with the Clerk of Superior Court.
Will I have to repay unemployment benefits if an appeal is not in my favor?
In some cases, yes. For claims filed June 30, 2013 and after, claimants are subject to repayment of benefits received from any administrative or judicial decision that is later reversed on appeal.
What wages can be used to establish a claim for unemployment benefits?
Any wages used to establish eligibility for UI benefits must be earned in employment that is covered by the Employment Security Law. This means that the employer must be subject to UI tax. Employers who are liable under the Employment Security Law are required to post a Certificate of Coverage and Notice to Workers (Form NCUI 524) in their place of business.
What is the deadline for filing an unemployment benefits appeal of a determination?
The determination will tell you the deadline for filing your appeal. The date listed in the document that you are appealing is controlling. If the last day of the appeal period falls on a weekend or a legal state holiday, the appeal period is automatically extended to the next working day. If your appeal is not filed by the required deadline, it may be denied.
Who is a base period employer for unemployment benefits?
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.
Where can I find a lawyer for my unemployment benefits appeal?
Legal aid organization attorneys, such as Legal Aid of North Carolina, may be able to help you. The State Bar of North Carolina provides resources to help you find an attorney.
Who are the parties to a hearing for unemployment benefits?
Typically, the parties to a hearing are the claimant who filed a claim for UI benefits, the employer for whom the claimant last worked before filing the claim and DES. Any former employer of the claimant could potentially be a party to the hearing.
Who can file an appeal for unemployment benefits?
Any claimant or employer who receives an unfavorable determination or ruling may appeal and request a hearing. Only an interested party can file a valid appeal. For example, in a typical separation case (e.g., a quit or a discharge) the interested parties are the last employer and the claimant who filed a claim for UI benefits.
Reminder: Federal pandemic unemployment benefits, including PEUC, PUA, FPUC and MEUC, ended Sept. 4, 2021. Learn more
Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) is an extension to state unemployment insurance benefits that was created through the federal CARES Act and extended through the Continued Assistance Act and American Rescue Plan Act.
How do I apply for PEUC?
Sign into your online account at des.nc.gov and click on the ‘Apply for Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation’ link to apply. Federal guidelines require you to file a separate claim for PEUC to receive these benefits. You will not automatically receive PEUC when you exhaust regular state unemployment insurance benefits.
Federal Benefits Ended Sept. 4, 2021
T h e week ending Sept. 4, 2021, was the last payable week for the following federal pandemic unemployment benefit programs:
State Unemployment Insurance Benefits
The state unemployment insurance benefit program will remain in place. Under state law, these benefits currently provide eligible claimants with up to 13 weeks of benefits in a one-year period, with a maximum benefit of $350 a week.
Resources for Jobseekers
People who are seeking employment are encouraged to take advantage of the programs and resources available through NCWorks to get connected to job opportunities and training. Find more information and search for Career Center locations at www.NCWorks.gov.
How long can you extend unemployment in NC?
The Division of Employment Security (DES) administrated by North Carolina’s Department of Commerce provides qualified unemployed residents with up to 13 weeks of regular unemployment insurance compensation. Unemployment claimants who exhaust their compensation benefits within the benefit year may be eligible to extend or renew their unemployment insurance claim. NC unemployment extensions are only available to qualified unemployment claimants and during specific situations.
How many times can you file for unemployment in NC?
To qualify for an NC unemployment benefits extension, unemployment claim applicants must have earned wages equal to six times their weekly benefits within two quarters of the prior benefit year. When you file for an unemployment extension, you must show DES these wages for consideration.
How long does it take to get unemployment insurance after a disaster?
Displaced disaster workers who are eligible for DUA must first apply for regular unemployment insurance within 30 days of the disaster. DUA claim applicants must continue to certify their eligibility weekly, like regular unemployment insurance claims.
How many quarters of base period for unemployment?
Qualified unemployment claimants seeking a second benefit year must have earned wages in two quarters of the base period since the beginning of the prior claim. An alternative base period is not available for subsequent claim applicants who lack sufficient base period wages.
Is EUC08 available for unemployment?
The latter tiers made federal unemployment extension payments contingent on the state’s total unemployment rate. EUC08 concluded in December 2013 and is not currently available for unemployment claimants with exhausted insurance claims.
Important information about applying for PUA
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance is a federal pandemic assistance program that is separate from state unemployment insurance benefits. People are not automatically eligible for PUA when they exhaust state unemployment benefits and extensions.
How to Apply
Sign into your online account at des.nc.gov and click on the Apply for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance link to complete the application process.
PUA Payments
To receive payments, you must complete a Weekly Certification for every week you file for benefits. In your Weekly Certification, report any wages you earned during that week.
Tips for Applying for PUA
1. DES recommends you upload all necessary documents with your application before you click ‘Submit.’ However, you can submit your application even if documents, such as tax returns, are not yet available.
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.
