South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce requires that you earned wages in at least two of your base-period quarters and that your total base-period wages equal at least 1.5 times your highest-quarter wages. South Carolina uses the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters as its standard base period. South Carolina's 20-week maximum and $350/week cap make every week of eligibility valuable — the maximum total benefit is approximately $6,520.
- Wages in at least 2 base-period quarters. Total must be at least 1.5 times your highest-quarter wages.
- Laid off through no fault of your own: eligible. Misconduct discharge or voluntary quit without good cause: not eligible.
- South Carolina's strict work search documentation applies from week one — document all 3 contacts carefully.
Always verify exact numbers, deadlines, and forms on the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce's official website – this page provides general guidance, not state-specific legal advice.
Eligible Separations
Plant closures, layoffs, automotive plant temporary shutdowns, and reductions in force all qualify as eligible separations in South Carolina. If your employer claims you were discharged for misconduct, South Carolina DEW applies a deliberate-willful standard — single honest mistakes and performance issues typically do not meet it. If you quit, South Carolina requires substantial good cause attributable to the employer: significant safety violations, unilateral major wage cuts, or documented serious working condition changes you reported without resolution.
Frequently Asked Questions
- I was laid off from an Upstate SC automotive supplier. The work moved to another country. Does that qualify?
- Yes — production offshore or out of state is a qualifying lack-of-work separation in South Carolina. File through dew.sc.gov. Note the reason as "plant closed" or "work relocated" when filing. South Carolina DEW processes straightforward plant-closure and production-move separations efficiently. If your employer qualifies under the federal Trade Act (TAA) — meaning work moved due to foreign competition — you may also be eligible for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) benefits, which provide retraining funding and extended income support. Ask SC DEW about TAA eligibility when you file.
- I was terminated from my South Carolina job for "excessive absenteeism." I missed work due to a family medical emergency. Does that disqualify me?
- File and appeal. South Carolina's misconduct standard requires deliberate, willful conduct. Absences for documented family medical emergencies — especially if you notified your employer and provided documentation — may not meet South Carolina's misconduct threshold. Appeal within 10 days of the determination mailing date. In your hearing, present: the specific absences; your notification to the employer; any medical or emergency documentation; and whether a written attendance policy was in place and whether this was your first violation.
- How does South Carolina DEW determine my maximum payable weeks?
- South Carolina uses a sliding-scale formula based on your base-period wages and WBA, capped at 20 weeks. Workers with lower or less consistent wages may receive fewer than 20 weeks — some claimants receive 15 to 18 weeks rather than the maximum. Your monetary determination at dew.sc.gov shows both your WBA and your specific maximum payable weeks. Check this early in your claim and budget your job search timeline accordingly — do not assume 20 full weeks without confirming your determination.
- South Carolina DEW denied my claim because I allegedly refused suitable work. I didn't think the job was suitable. What do I do?
- Appeal within 10 days of the determination mailing date. South Carolina evaluates suitability based on your skills, prior wages, working conditions, and the location. Early in your benefit period, South Carolina gives more latitude to decline positions substantially below your prior wages. Present specifically why the position was unsuitable: the wage compared to your prior wage, the distance from your home, or the specific working conditions. South Carolina DEW hearing officers evaluate the full circumstances, not just whether you refused a job offer.
- I worked at a seasonal tourist business in Myrtle Beach. Can I get South Carolina UI during the off-season?
- Yes — South Carolina seasonal workers are eligible for UI during the off-season if their layoff is through no fault of their own (lack of work due to season end). Report your occupation as seasonal when filing at dew.sc.gov. The standard 3 weekly work search contacts still apply during your off-season benefit period. If your employer claims you are ineligible because the work is seasonal, appeal — South Carolina does not automatically exclude seasonal workers from UI coverage.