Unemployment Benefits Continue for Thousands in SC

Federal unemployment benefits will continue for nearly 29,000 South Carolinians due to Congress extending the Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program for one year.

The American Taxpayer Relief Act extends the EUC program through Jan. 1, 2014. Federal benefits were slated to expire at the end of 2012, absent a budget deal in Congress to avert the so-called “fiscal cliff,” with claimants receiving their last payment the first week of January.

The federally-funded program provides unemployment benefits to approximately 29,000 South Carolinians who have exhausted the maximum first 20 weeks of state benefits. The legislation only extends the deadline to receive existing federal benefits and does not add additional weeks for qualified residents.

In South Carolina, eligible claimants should continue to file weekly to avoid interruption in payment.

The SC Department of Employment and Workforce encourages all claimants that have exhausted state and federal benefits to check with their local SC Works center to determine the availability of additional eligibility.

SCDEW provides the following resources for helping those out of work to find jobs:

Follow these easy steps for conducting your online work search:

1. Visit SC Works Online Services at  jobs.scworks.org
2. On the right side of the screen, sign in with your username and password. (Note this is different from your information used to access the MyBenefits portal. It is the information you received when you registered for work as part of filing your initial claim.)
3. Click “job search” on the menu on left side of the screen. Fill in your zip code and any keywords under “search criteria.”
4. Browse the list of openings that meet your search criteria. When you find a listing that matches your qualifications, click “apply” and follow the instructions.