Extended unemployment benefits now available in S.C.

Listen to this article

South Carolina is now offering an extended benefits program for those who have exhausted standard and federal unemployment benefits.

Up to 10 additional weeks of benefits beginning the claim week of June 28 through July 4 may be available to eligible individuals, according to a news release from the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce.

The extended benefits program is available to individuals whose regular unemployment insurance benefit year ended on or after June 14. Claimants must have exhausted both their 20 weeks of regular unemployment benefits and 13 weeks of federal Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation assistance.

DEW has created a video tutorial with guidelines for filing for extended benefits, which have more stringent requirements than standard benefits. The agency said it will notify those who are eligible. If approved, individuals will receive the same amount as their regular weekly unemployment insurance benefits plus $600 in federal benefits.

S.C.’s unemployment rate stood at 12.5% in May, according to DEW data.