Unemployment claims in S.C. reach 559,531

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For the week ending May 30, nearly 19,000 South Carolinians, including more than 1,600 in Richland County, filed initial unemployment claims.

In the last 11 weeks, 559,531 claims have been filed in the state, according to the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce. The latest total of 18,986 represented the seventh decrease in claims recorded since mid-March, a drop of 5,964 from the previous week.

DEW said it has paid more than $1.8 billion in a combination of state and federal unemployment benefits.

“As the number of initial claims continues to decrease week over week, we hope to see more opportunities for South Carolina to return to stable employment and financial stability,” Dan Ellzey, DEW executive director, said in a news release. “ … However, we know not everyone is in a position to immediately return to work. For those who are still looking for employment, our agency and the SC Works system offer resources to help you with this process.”

For the week ending May 30, 1,880 claims were filed in Greenville County, while 1,634 people in Richland County filed claims. Spartanburg County saw 1,385 claims, Charleston County 1,362 and Horry County 1,198. In Lexington County, 830 claims were filed.

Ellzey said the agency has been receiving inquiries about what action to take to stop receiving unemployment benefits.

“The answer is simple; just stop certifying. The self-reported certification each week tells us if you’re still unemployed,” he said. “Once you stop certifying for 14 days, your claim will become inactive. There’s no need to call us or notify us within the portal that you’ve returned to work or started a new position.”