Workers who have lost their job or their reduction hours have been reduced beyond their weekly entitlement can receive temporary financial assistance in North Carolina through North Carolina Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits. The amount of benefits one can receive depends on the amount of wages received in the base period.

You can easily apply for UI benefits online after you become eligible. You will only receive benefits once you have filed a claim and you meet the eligibility criteria. Amount of benefits will be transferred through a debit card but you can also apply for direct deposit. To continue receiving benefits each week as long as you stay unemployed, you will need to file weekly claim. You can learn more about applying for UI benefits below.

Eligibility Requirements

Getting help with UI benefits application

If you need help filing your UI claim, you can contact DES by simply dialing 1-888-737-0259. You can fax at 1-919-250-4315. You can call from Monday to Friday between 8 am and 5 pm.

If you are denied benefits or you are not happy with the amount of benefits that are approved, you can file an appeal. You can learn more about appeal process by dialing 1-919-707-1060 or sending an email to [email protected]. You can view Directory of Appeals Referees here by downloading this PDF.

Managing your UI benefits

Once you have applied for UI benefits, you need to register for work at NCWorks by visiting this link. You will also need to file weekly claim in order to receive continued benefits. You can submit your weekly claim by visiting this link and signing in with your Social Security Number and PIN that you created when submitting initial claim.

You can manage your benefits and view your claim profile by visiting this link.

Learn more about UI benefits in North Carolina

Unemployment Application Instructions

You can file your UI claim online in North Carolina. To start the process, visit DES's online work registration and unemployment insurance claim service by clicking here. You will need to provide personal and work related information in order to be considered for UI benefits.

You can only submit your online application on specified days during the specified hours. Days and hours of availability are mentioned below.

- Monday to Friday: 6:00 am to 9:30 pm

- Saturday: 6:00 am to 12:00 midnight

- Sunday: 12:00 noon to 9:30 pm

All times are in Eastern Time zone.

If you are visiting the DES online system for the first time, you will need to create a PIN so that you can come back to the system at any time. You will be creating your PIN while filing your initial claim. Keep this PIN safe as you will need it next time you visit DES for managing benefits or filing your weekly claim.