Weekly benefit amount and weeks in South Carolina

The weekly benefit

Weekly benefit

$42–$350

Maximum: claims filed now

How it is figured

Your weekly benefit amount is 50% of your average weekly wage in the highest-paid quarter of your base period (that quarter's wages divided by 13). In practice this is your highest quarter divided by 26, rounded down to the dollar. The minimum is $42 and DEW's current maximum is $350.

Official

Official table or notice

Law: S.C. Code secs. 41-35-40, 41-27-140

The wage test

In your base period you must have worked in at least two quarters, earned at least $1,092 in your highest quarter and at least $4,455 in total, and your total wages must be at least 1.5 times your highest quarter.

Your standard base period is the first four of the last five full calendar quarters before you file. If you do not have enough wages, DEW uses an alternate base period that includes the most recent full quarter (the "lag quarter").

The state's wage tests

• Wages in 2 quarters, at least $1,092 in your highest quarter, at least $4,455 in total, and total wages at least 1.5 times your highest quarter

Law: S.C. Code sec. 41-27-310

Official source: Source page

Estimate your weekly benefit

Enter the gross wages (before taxes) you were paid in each quarter of your base period. We apply the state's own formula to your numbers.

The state's formula: your highest quarter × 50% ÷ 13, rounded down; at least $42 and at most $350

How long it lasts

Up to 20 weeks.

The most you can get in your benefit year is the lower of 20 times your weekly benefit amount or one-third of your total base-period wages, rounded down to the dollar. So claims last up to 20 weeks; with lower total wages they run out sooner.

Law: S.C. Code sec. 41-35-50

Official source: Source page

Waiting week

Before any benefits are paid, you must serve one unpaid waiting week. You must be unemployed that week, meet all eligibility rules, and complete your work search for it.

Law: S.C. Code sec. 41-35-110(4)

Official source: Source page

Working part time

You may get partial benefits for a week you work less than full time (fewer than 30 hours) and earn less than your weekly benefit amount. Earnings up to one-fourth (25%) of your weekly benefit amount are not counted; the rest is subtracted from your benefit, rounded down to the dollar. If you earn more than your weekly benefit amount, you get nothing that week. Report gross earnings for the week you worked.

Law: S.C. Code secs. 41-35-60, 41-27-370

Official source: Source page

What applies in every state

• You must have earned enough wages, or worked enough, during a period called the base period. In most states it is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file.
• It generally takes two to three weeks after you file to get your first payment. Some states require a one-week waiting period, so the second week you claim is the first week paid.
• Unemployment benefits count as income for federal income tax. You must report them on your federal tax return.

  Law: 26 U.S.C. 85(a)

Free help

Call 1-866-831-1724. Legal aid and other free help in South Carolina → Official sources →