Where to file and what you need before you start

North Carolina processes unemployment claims through the NC Division of Employment Security (DES), which is part of the state's Department of Commerce. You file your claim online at the DES website — there is no phone line to call and no paper form to mail. The entire process happens through your computer or phone.

Before you start, gather these documents: your Social Security number, driver's license or ID number, the names and addresses of your employers from the past 18 months, and the dates you worked at each job. If you were laid off or fired, have a brief explanation ready of why your job ended. If you quit, you will need to explain the reason — the state distinguishes between quitting with good cause and quitting without it, and that affects whether you receive benefits.

You do not need to wait until you are officially unemployed to file. You can file as soon as you know your job is ending, even if your last day of work is weeks away. Filing early does not hurt you and can speed up the process.

Key Takeaways

  • File through the NC Division of Employment Security website at des.nc.gov — there is no other way to submit a claim.
  • Have your Social Security number, ID number, and employment history from the past 18 months ready before you start.
  • The state pays a weekly benefit amount based on your earnings history, not on how much you need — the amount varies by person.
  • You must report your work search efforts each week, including jobs you applied for and contacts you made, or your benefits will stop.
  • If your claim is denied, you have the right to a hearing before an administrative law judge, and you can bring evidence or a witness.

How the weekly benefit amount is calculated

North Carolina calculates your weekly benefit based on your base period earnings — the total wages you earned in a specific 12-month window before you filed. The state looks at the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before your claim starts. For example, if you file in March 2024, the state looks at your earnings from January 2023 through December 2023.

The state divides your base period earnings by 52 to find your average weekly wage, then pays you a percentage of that amount. The exact percentage and the maximum weekly benefit amount change each year. The minimum weekly benefit is $15 if you earned anything in your base period. You cannot receive more than the state maximum, which is set annually and varies from year to year.

You receive benefits for up to 12 weeks in a benefit year, though the exact number of weeks you are paid depends on the state's unemployment rate at the time you file. When the state unemployment rate is high, the number of weeks available increases. When it is low, weeks decrease. This means two people filing in different months may receive a different number of weeks, even if their earnings were the same.

Filing your claim step by step

Go to des.nc.gov and look for the "File a Claim" or "Unemployment Insurance" section. You will create an account with a username and password, then answer questions about your employment history, why your job ended, and whether you have worked since your job ended. Answer honestly — the state cross-checks your answers against what your employer reports.

When you reach the question about why your job ended, choose the option that matches your situation. If you were laid off or your position was eliminated, select that. If you were fired, select that and explain the reason. If you quit, select that and explain why — the state wants to know whether you had good cause, such as unsafe working conditions, a significant cut in pay, or harassment. Quitting because you found another job or because you did not like the work usually does not count as good cause.

After you submit your claim, you will receive a confirmation number. Write it down. The state will mail you a notice within two weeks that tells you whether your claim was accepted or denied, and what your weekly benefit amount is if it was accepted. Do not assume your claim went through just because you filed — read the notice carefully when it arrives.

Your weekly reporting requirement

Once your claim is approved, you must file a weekly claim certification every week you want to receive a payment. This is not optional. You log back into your account and report whether you worked that week, how much you earned if you did work, and what work search activities you completed.

Work search means you must actively look for a job. The state requires you to document at least three work search contacts per week — these can be job applications, phone calls to employers, emails to contacts, or attendance at a job fair or training program. You do not have to get hired or even get an interview; you just have to show you made the effort. Keep a list of the date, the employer or contact name, and what you did (applied online, called, emailed, etc.).

If you do not file your weekly certification, your benefits stop that week. If you file late, you can still receive payment for that week, but only if you file within two weeks of the week you are reporting. After two weeks, that week is gone and you cannot be paid for it.

What happens if your claim is denied

The state denies claims for several reasons: your base period earnings were too low, you quit without good cause, you were fired for misconduct, or you did not meet the work search requirement. If you receive a denial notice, read it carefully — it will tell you the specific reason and the date by which you can request a hearing.

You have the right to a hearing before an administrative law judge if you disagree with the denial. You request the hearing by submitting a form (the notice will tell you which one and where to send it) within 10 days of the denial date. The hearing is usually held by phone or video, and you can bring documents, witnesses, or both. You do not need a lawyer, though you can bring one if you want to pay for it.

At the hearing, you explain your side of the story and the judge asks questions. Your employer may also participate and explain their side. The judge then decides whether to uphold the denial or overturn it. If you disagree with the judge's decision, you can appeal to the NC Employment Security Commission, though this is a higher bar and requires showing the judge made a legal error, not just that you disagree with the decision.

Reporting earnings if you work part-time or find a new job

If you work while receiving unemployment, you must report your earnings on your weekly certification. North Carolina allows you to earn a certain amount before your benefits are reduced — this is called the earnings disregard. The amount changes each year. Any earnings above the disregard are subtracted from your weekly benefit, dollar for dollar.

For example, if your weekly benefit is $200 and the earnings disregard is $50, and you earn $100 that week, you report $100 in earnings. The state subtracts the $50 disregard, leaving $50 in countable earnings, and reduces your $200 benefit by $50, paying you $150 that week. If you earn more than your weekly benefit amount plus the disregard, you receive no payment that week, but you do not lose future weeks of benefits.

If you find a full-time job, your claim ends and you stop receiving payments. You do not have to do anything — once you report that you are working full-time, the state closes your claim automatically. If that job ends later, you can file a new claim, but you will need to meet the may be able to access requirements again.

Tax withholding and what you owe at tax time

Unemployment benefits are taxable income. When you file your weekly certification, you have the option to have federal income tax withheld from your payment — the state will hold back 10 percent if you ask. You can also choose not to have taxes withheld and pay them when you file your tax return.

Many people choose not to have taxes withheld because the weekly benefit is already small. If you do not have taxes withheld, set aside money from each payment so you are not surprised at tax time. The state will send you a Form 1099-G in January showing how much you received in benefits during the previous year, and you will report that on your federal tax return.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to receive my first payment?

If your claim is approved, you should receive your first payment within two to three weeks of filing. The state processes claims in the order they are received. If there is a delay, check your account to see if the state is asking for more information — sometimes claims are held up because the state needs clarification about your employment history or the reason your job ended.

Can I receive unemployment if I was fired?

It depends on why you were fired. If you were fired for misconduct — meaning you deliberately broke a rule or did something you knew was wrong — you are disqualified. If you were fired for poor performance, not following instructions, or a mistake you made, you may still be found to have good cause for losing your job and receive benefits. The state will contact your employer to hear their side of the story.

What if I move out of North Carolina while receiving benefits?

You can continue to receive North Carolina unemployment benefits even if you move to another state, as long as you keep filing your weekly certifications and meeting the work search requirement. However, if you move and find a job in the new state, you should report that. Some states have agreements to share information, so the state may find out anyway.

Do I have to accept a job if one is offered to me?

If you are offered a job that is suitable — meaning it is in your field, pays a reasonable wage, and is within a reasonable distance — you are expected to accept it or you may lose your benefits. The state defines "suitable" based on your skills and work history. You can turn down a job if it pays significantly less than your previous job or requires you to relocate, but you should document your reason.

What if I disagree with my weekly benefit amount?

Your benefit amount is based on your base period earnings, which the state calculates from what your employers reported to the state. If you believe the amount is wrong, contact the DES and ask them to review your base period. You may need to provide pay stubs or other proof of your earnings. If you still disagree after their review, you can request a hearing.