What Is the Maximum Unemployment Benefit in North Carolina?

Unemployment benefits provide temporary financial assistance to individuals who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own. These benefits help bridge the gap while recipients seek new employment opportunities. In North Carolina, the Division of Employment Security (DES) oversees the administration of these benefits, ensuring that eligible individuals receive support. The program is funded by taxes paid by employers, not by deductions from employee paychecks.

Qualifying for Unemployment Benefits

To qualify for unemployment benefits in North Carolina, individuals must meet specific criteria established by law. A primary requirement is that an individual must be unemployed through no fault of their own. Voluntarily quitting a job without good cause or being terminated due to disqualifying misconduct generally makes one ineligible. Disqualifying misconduct can include violating an employer’s written drug policy, workplace violence, or theft.

Applicants must also demonstrate monetary eligibility, determined by their earnings during a “base period.” This period covers the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before the claim was filed. During this time, applicants must have worked in covered employment and earned wages in at least two quarters. The total wages earned must also meet a minimum threshold: six times the average weekly insured wage, and at least $780 in one of the last two quarters of the base period.

Individuals must also be able and available for work, actively seeking new employment opportunities. This ensures that benefits are provided to those genuinely looking to re-enter the workforce. If an individual’s wages in the standard base period are insufficient, an alternative base period consisting of the last four completed calendar quarters immediately preceding the first day of their benefit year may be used.

Determining Your Weekly Benefit Amount

The weekly benefit amount an individual can receive in North Carolina is calculated based on their past earnings. The Division of Employment Security determines this amount by reviewing wages earned during the base period. Specifically, the total wages from the last two quarters of the base period are added together and then divided by 52, with the result rounded down to the nearest whole dollar.

North Carolina law sets a minimum and maximum for these weekly payments. The lowest weekly benefit an eligible individual can receive is $15. The maximum weekly benefit amount currently stands at $350. The total duration for which benefits can be received typically ranges from 12 to 20 weeks, depending on the state’s unemployment rate.

For example, if an individual’s calculated weekly benefit amount is less than $15, they would not be eligible to receive payments. It is important to note that the standing maximum weekly benefit remains $350.

Applying for Unemployment Benefits

The application process for unemployment benefits in North Carolina is primarily conducted online. Individuals can initiate their claim through the Division of Employment Security’s website, des.nc.gov. It is not possible to apply for unemployment benefits in person.

Before starting the application, it is beneficial to gather necessary information and documents. This typically includes your Social Security number, detailed information about your most recent employment and pay, and a comprehensive work history for the past two years. Additionally, having your bank routing and account numbers ready is important for setting up direct deposit of benefits.

After submitting the initial claim, the DES reviews the application and contacts the most recent employer for verification of separation details. A one-week waiting period applies before benefits can begin to be paid.

Maintaining Your Eligibility

Once an unemployment claim is approved, individuals must fulfill ongoing requirements to continue receiving benefits. A primary requirement is filing a weekly certification. This must be completed online through the MyNCUIBenefits account every week, providing information about the claimant’s status for the prior week. Failure to submit these certifications within 14 days after the end of each week can result in non-payment for that period.

Claimants are also required to actively search for work. This involves registering as a jobseeker with NCWorks and making at least three verifiable job contacts each week. Acceptable work search activities include submitting applications or resumes, holding in-person or video interviews, or engaging in reemployment activities.

Maintain detailed records of all work search activities for a minimum of five years, as these records may be audited. Any earnings from part-time work must be accurately reported during weekly certifications, even if the payment has not yet been received. Claimants can generally earn a small percentage of their weekly benefit amount without a reduction in benefits.