Unemployment

Unemployment benefits provide temporary payments to eligible workers who lose their job through no fault of their own. These payments can help you with expenses while you look for employment. You must be able and available for work, and actively seeking work, to receive benefits. In North Carolina, the most you can currently be paid in state unemployment benefits is $350 a week for up to 13 weeks.

Unemployment Benefit Basics

Not everyone who applies for unemployment benefits will qualify. Certain conditions must be met in order to meet initial eligibility requirements and to remain eligible to receive benefits. Filing your claim will go faster if you have the following important information before you begin.

Before you apply

You must create an online account to file an application for unemployment insurance online. Your account also provides access to the Claimant Self-Service Portal, where you can get information about your claim at any time.

Filing your unemployment application

You must submit a Weekly Certification after each week for which you would like to receive benefits. The Weekly Certification is a series of questions that helps verify that you were able, available and looking for work that week. 

File your weekly certification

To receive unemployment insurance benefits,  you must seek work with at least three potential employers each week and maintain a detailed and verifiable record of your work search. If you cannot prove you looked for work, you may be considered overpaid and required to repay benefits.

Work Search Responsibilities

You can work and earn 20% of your weekly unemployment benefit amount without penalty. Earnings over this amount are deducted from your weekly benefits.

Report work and earnings

As you begin your search for new employment, we have many resources available to help you.

Finding a job