Press Releases
State and County rate releases can be found at www.nccommerce.com/lead
Division of Employment Security Takes Precautions after Employee Tests Positive for COVID-19
The North Carolina Division of Employment Security is taking recommended health and safety precautions after one of its employees received a diagnosis of COVID-19.
Apply for Unemployment Benefits Extension Beginning May 22
Beginning Friday, May 22, North Carolinians who have exhausted their state unemployment insurance benefits can apply for an extension of benefits through the federal Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation program (PEUC).
Division of Employment Security Discusses Unemployment Benefits with Senate Committee
Today, Lockhart Taylor, assistant secretary of the North Carolina Department of Commerce Division of Employment Security (DES), briefed the Senate Committee on Commerce and Insurance on the division’s work over the last two months to get relief to North Carolinians who have lost their jobs as a r
North Carolinians Can Apply for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Beginning April 24
North Carolina independent contractors and self-employed workers out of work because of COVID-19 can apply for federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance beginning this Friday, April 24 at des.nc.gov.
DES to Triple Staff to Meet Unprecedented Surge in Unemployment Claims
In the last month, more than 630,000 people have filed for unemployment insurance benefits in North Carolina, mostly due to the impacts of COVID-19.
North Carolinians Begin to Receive Additional $600 in Weekly Unemployment Assistance
In the past 24 hours, the Division of Employment Security has made more than $100 million in Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation payments to North Carolinians receiving unemployment assistance, ahead of its timeline to begin FPUC payments by April 17.
Governor Cooper Issues Order to Further Streamline Filing Process for Unemployment Claims
With more than half a million North Carolinians filing for unemployment in the past four weeks, Governor Roy Cooper has issued an executive order that will help streamline the processing of claims by lifting some of the requirements for employers to file attached claims on behalf of their employe
DES Working to Implement Federal Unemployment Assistance Programs
The Division of Employment Security is moving quickly to bring additional unemployment insurance benefits to North Carolinians impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. DES has received official guidance from the U.S.
DES Working to Immediately Expand Capacity in Response to Surge in COVID-19 Unemployment Claims
The North Carolina Division of Employment Security is taking immediate actions to help people who are unable to work because of COVID-19.
Seven More Counties in North Carolina Approved for Disaster Unemployment Assistance
Anson County, Carteret County, Chatham County, Northhampton County, Perquimans County, Richmond County, and Scotland County have been approved for Disaster Unemployment Assistance.
