South Carolina Unemployment Benefits: Eligibility, Amount & How to Apply
A plain-English guide to South Carolina unemployment benefits in 2026: who qualifies, how much you can receive, how to file with DEW, and how to meet the weekly work search requirement without spending hours applying.
This page is general guidance, not legal or financial advice. Unemployment rules, eligibility, and benefit amounts change over time and depend on your individual situation. Always confirm the current details with your state's official unemployment agency before you rely on them.
If you have lost your job in South Carolina through no fault of your own, unemployment benefits can replace part of your income while you look for work. They are administered by the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW), and to keep receiving them you have to actively search for work each week and keep a record of it.
Below is how eligibility, benefit amounts, and the application process work, plus the part most people find tedious: the weekly work search requirement. LoopCV can auto-apply to matching jobs and log every application, so meeting and documenting that requirement takes minutes instead of hours.
The South Carolina work search requirement
South Carolina requires you to complete at least 2 job search activities every week you claim benefits, recorded through SC Works Online Services (SCWOS), in case the DEW audits you. Qualifying activities include applying for a job, submitting a resume, completing an interview, attending a job fair, and using the SC Works job search tools.
Meet it automatically with LoopCV
This is exactly where LoopCV helps. It automatically applies to jobs that match your profile every day and keeps a dated log of every application, so you comfortably clear the weekly minimum of 2 and have the records ready if the DEW asks for them.
Auto-apply and log your job searchFrequently Asked Questions
South Carolina unemployment benefits .
How much are South Carolina unemployment benefits in 2026?
As of 2026, weekly South Carolina unemployment benefits range from a minimum of about $42 to a maximum of about $350, based on your wages during your base period. Benefits can last up to 20 weeks. Confirm your exact amount with the Department of Employment and Workforce, since figures are updated periodically.
Who qualifies for unemployment benefits in South Carolina?
To qualify you generally must have lost your job through no fault of your own, have earned enough wages during your base period, and be able to work, available for work, and actively searching for work. Being fired for misconduct or quitting without good cause can make you ineligible. The Department of Employment and Workforce makes the final determination.
How do I apply for South Carolina unemployment benefits?
Apply as soon as you become unemployed, online through the Department of Employment and Workforce at dew.sc.gov using the MyBenefits portal. You will need your work history, your last employer's information, and your personal details. After you apply, you must certify each week and meet the weekly work search requirement.
What is the South Carolina work search requirement?
Each week you claim benefits you must complete at least 2 job search activities through SC Works Online Services and keep a record of them. Activities include applying for jobs, submitting resumes, and interviewing. LoopCV can auto-apply and log these for you so you always meet the minimum of 2.
How long do South Carolina unemployment benefits last?
South Carolina unemployment benefits last up to 20 weeks within a benefit year, which is fewer than many states, and the total depends on your base period earnings. Extensions are sometimes available during periods of high unemployment. Check the Department of Employment and Workforce for current program details.
Unemployment benefits in other states
Keep your benefits. Let LoopCV do the applying.
While you claim South Carolina unemployment, LoopCV auto-applies to matching jobs and keeps a dated record, so you meet the work search requirement and find your next role faster.