Unemployment benefits provide temporary payments to people who qualify. In North Carolina, you may get up to $350 a week in unemployment benefits for up to 12 weeks.
To be eligible for unemployment benefits, you must:
- Have lost your main job through no fault of your own.
- Have earned enough wages in the last 15 months.
- Be able and available to work.
- Actively look for a new job.
Can I get unemployment benefits if I quit my job?
Anyone can apply for unemployment benefits; however, you may not qualify to get benefits. DES makes decisions about who qualifies on a case-by-case basis using North Carolina Employment Security Law.
To qualify for unemployment, you must have lost your main job through no fault of your own. For example, you may qualify if you were laid off. There are several other situations where you might qualify, depending on the reason you left your job.
In general, you may NOT qualify if you:
- Quit your job for personal reasons unrelated to work.
- Were fired for misconduct.
I'm not sure if I meet the requirements.
If you don’t know if you meet the requirements, you should apply anyway. We will let you know after we review your information.
You can learn more about eligibility requirements on the Unemployment Insurance Frequently Asked Questions page.
Weekly Requirements to Get Benefits
After you apply for unemployment and file your claim, DES will determine if you get unemployment and let you know how much you may be eligible to get. This decision is made based on the reason you are unemployed and your previous earnings.
You must complete certain Weekly Requirements to get a payment for each week. Get started the week that you file your claim.
To get unemployment benefits, you must:
- Register at NCWorks to find a job. Apply for at least three jobs per week.
- File weekly certifications online every week.
- Report any wages you earn in your certification.
How do I apply for unemployment benefits?
Before you apply, gather the documents you need to file for unemployment.
You can apply online through MyNCUIBenefits—this is the fastest way to apply for unemployment benefits.
You can also apply over the phone: 888-737-0259. Call this number if you need help with your claim.
What is Trade Adjustment Assistance, and do I qualify?
Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) is a federal program supported by the United States Department of Labor (USDOL). Under the TAA program, you may be eligible to get job training and education at no cost to you.
Were you laid off due to imports or jobs being moved outside of the United States? You may be eligible, depending on your employer and when you were laid off. Learn more about TAA and see a list of employers.