Many people when they lose their jobs feel that their world falls apart since this is everyone’s livelihood as adults. However, not everything is lost, if you have lost your job and are a North Carolina resident, you can apply for unemployment benefits with the North Carolina Division of Employment Security (DES).
Although being unemployed is one of the main requirements, it is not the only one, in order to receive these benefits it is imperative to meet all the eligibility requirements. Making the application a simple process, and to do it you will only need your basic information and a computer with internet access.
If you are interested in carrying out this process, here you will find the step by step guide to request these benefits
Do I Qualify For Unemployment Benefits In North Carolina?
In order to obtain unemployment benefits in North Carolina, you must meet 5 requirements. You must comply with all of them, otherwise, your request will be denied.
- Being unemployed for a reason beyond your control that can be proved to the DES. Once you submit the application, the DES will evaluate both the documentation that you submit and that was provided by your last employer.
- Being physically and mentally available to accept any suitable work.
- Be considered by the DES as “monetary eligible”. This means that you meet the minimum wage earning standards within the “base period”.
- You must be actively looking for work, and
- Register on the NCWorks Online platform.
Steps To File Your Claim
Step 1
Before starting the application process, for your convenience, we recommend that you have the following information at hand:
- Your Social Security Number.
- Name, telephone number, and address of your last employer.
- Your account and bank routing number (for direct payments).
- Your work history (2 years).
- Documentation that proves you lost your job through no fault of your own.
Step 2
Click here and scroll down until you find the “create an online account” section and then click on it. Write your username and password and you’ll receive an email to activate your account. Go to your email and click on the link the DES has sent to you.
Step 3
Once you have activated your account, step 3 is to enter your basic information. You will see on the screen the form that you must fill out with your data such as your name, date of birth, contact and demographic information and click on the green bottom “Next.“
Step 4
The “Customer Menu” section will appear on the screen, click on “File a New Employment Insurance Claim” and you will automatically see important information that you must read before filing your claim. Once you have read it click on the green button labeled as “Next“.
Step 5
At this point, you’ll need to answer your eligibility questions:
After you respond, the platform will redirect you to the section of “additional information”, click there and the screen will show you all the questions related to your work history.
Then, you will see an acknowledgment section. Select that you understand and press “Continue”.
Step 6
The last step is to complete additional information related to your last employer, by answering the question you will get the “confirmation number” of your claim. You can also print this information; at the end of the page, you’ll see the option.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Unemployment in North Carolina
What does “pending resolution” mean for unemployment in North Carolina?
When applying for unemployment benefits with the DES, your last employer is asked about your job separation and the information you provided in your claim. They are given, by law, 10 days to answer. During those 10 days, your claim will be “pending” and until this period ends, you won’t receive any payment.
How long does it take for unemployment benefits to be deposited in North Carolina?
After making the request and it being approved by the DES, approximately 14 days after the date you submitted your claim, you will receive the first payment.
What is “the base period”?
The base period is the number of days established by the DES to determine if you are eligible to receive unemployment insurance if you worked and earned sufficient wages within that time. The base period is the first four of the last five completed quarters in a given year before the date of your application.
For a better understanding, you can see this photo and calculate what your base period is.