As the economy continues to decline, more and more of South Carolina’s working class are becoming unemployed and needing help to get back on their feet.

I have been in this position myself and I know how confusing and frustrating it can be to access the services available. I made it through, and so can you. I started this blog so others could benefit from my experiences and not have to go through what I did.

I found help through the South Carolina Unemployment Insurance program. Today’s discussion will be about the program and how to access benefits.

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Eligibility Requirements for South Carolina Unemployment Benefits

To qualify for South Carolina Unemployment benefits, you must:

1) Be unemployed or working less than full-time and earning less than your potential weekly unemployment amount;

2) Be separated through no fault of your own from your most recent bona fide employer. The most recent bona fide employer is the most recent work or employer from which you separated and earned eight times your weekly benefit amount;

3) Be able to work;

4) Must be available for full-time work. This means you must be willing and ready to take any suitable employment offered to you;

5) Report to the local Workforce Center as directed; and

6) Actively seek full-time work on your own behalf in a suitable occupation.

Monetary eligibility is based upon earnings received during your ‘base period’. The base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters. To qualify monetarily, you must meet the following three conditions:

1) You must have been paid wages of at least $540.00 in covered employment during the high quarter of your base period;

2) You must have been paid a minimum of $900.00 in covered employment during your base period; and

3) Your total base period wages must equal or exceed one and one-half times the total of your high quarter wages.

Applying for South Carolina Unemployment Benefits

You may apply for South Carolina Unemployment benefits online at https://secure.sces.org/PDIC/GatewayServlet, by calling 1-866-831-1724, or by visiting your local Workforce Center. When applying, be ready to provide your social security number and job history, including employer names & addresses as well as pay rates, for the last two years.

Receiving South Carolina Unemployment Benefits

The South Carolina Unemployment benefit year lasts for one year from the effective date of your application. You will not be able to file another initial claim, even if your benefits have been exhausted, until your current claim expires. You will receive a written notice if extended or emergency unemployment benefits are available.

Your weekly benefits are determined by dividing the earnings in the highest quarter of your base period by 13. This amount is typically equal to 50% of your average weekly wage during your base period. The minimum weekly benefit amount is $20 and the maximum is $326.

The maximum amount of benefits that you may receive during your claim is the lesser of 26 times your weekly benefit amount or 1/3 of your total wages during your base period.

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Filing for South Carolina Unemployment

The state of South Carolina has peaked in unemployment in recent months, some say that it is at its highest in 25 years. This may or may not have affected your home, but it most certainly has had a direct hit to the home of your neighbor or family members.

The South Carolina Employment Security Commission would be the government entity that you would need to locate within your town or town nearest you, in order to began the process for filing your South Carolina Unemployment benefits.

Once you have contacted your nearest agency, you must apply for a claim or Job Insurance benefits. These benefits will relieve your financial bearings while you apply for work. They are not meant for workers to receive while working full time or on a permanent basis.

If you have met all of the eligibility requirements for the state of South Carolina, you are allowed to seek or claim benefits for that money. The requirements are listed below:

· You have to be able to physically work another job or position.

· You must be able to hold down a full time schedule.

· You must be unemployed through no fault of your own.

· It is required that you report to your local Workforce center, periodically.

· You are also required to seek full time employment or look for more work.

If you have met the requirements, you should be eligible to receive your Job Insurance benefits. You should receive your benefits payable to you weekly.

You will be contacted by the South Carolina Unemployment agency or you nearest Workforce Center if your claim does not qualify for Job Insurance benefits to be paid to you. There are several reasons you would actually disqualify to receive those benefits if:

· You must not have voluntarily decided to quit your job.

· If you were fired.

· If you turn down work found suitable by your Workforce Center.

· If you are unemployed and it is because of a labor dispute.

Although your claim may have been denied, you have he right to appeal within ten calendar days from that decision.

If you are found eligible by the South Carolina Unemployment agency you should expect to receive a check in your chosen payment form within three weeks of your initial claim.

As with most states in the America, the Workforce Center will base your Job Insurance benefits on the wages that your employer paid out to you over the previous twelve month period.

Your benefit year usually runs beginning the determined date or effective date issued to your claim. You are eligible to receive the maximum benefit amount set to your claim and within that set period, unless you find suitable work.

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