Who Oversees North Carolina Unemployment Insurance Benefits?
The North Carolina Division of Employment Security (DES), a division within the North Carolina Department of Commerce, is responsible for administering the state’s unemployment insurance program. This program operates as a federal-state partnership, funded through unemployment taxes paid by employers on employee wages. Benefits are provided to eligible workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own and are able, available, and actively seeking work NC Division of Employment Security.
How Can I Qualify for Unemployment Benefits in North Carolina?
To be eligible for unemployment benefits in North Carolina, you must meet the following criteria:
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Loss of Employment: You must have lost your main job through no fault of your own. For example, you may qualify if you were laid off.
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Earnings: You must have earned enough wages in the last 15 months.
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Ability and Availability: You must be able and available to work.
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Active Job Search: You must be actively looking for a new job.
Generally, you may not qualify if you:
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Quit your job for personal reasons unrelated to work.
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Were fired for misconduct NC Division of Employment Security.
How Much Will I Receive in Unemployment Benefits in North Carolina?
In North Carolina, the maximum weekly unemployment benefit is $350. However, under Executive Order 322, this amount was temporarily increased to a maximum of $600 per week for eligible individuals filing new claims as of September 29, 2024 NC Division of Employment Security.
What’s the Process for Applying for Unemployment Benefits in North Carolina?
You can apply for unemployment benefits in North Carolina online or by phone:
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Online: Visit the DES website to file your claim online.
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Phone: Call the DES Customer Call Center at 888-737-0259.
Before applying, gather the following information:
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Your Social Security number or Alien Registration number and expiration date (if you are not a U.S. citizen).
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Work history from the past two years, including employer information (W-2s or pay stubs), total wages, employment dates, and pay rate.
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Information about why your job ended.
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Information about any separation pay or retirement income you receive NC Division of Employment Security.
How Can I Manage My Unemployment Benefits in North Carolina?
To manage your unemployment benefits, you can:
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File Weekly Certifications: You must file weekly certifications to continue receiving benefits.
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Check Claim Status: Monitor the status of your claim through your online account.
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Update Information: Update your personal information, such as address or contact details, as needed.
For assistance, contact the DES Customer Call Center at 888-737-0259 NC Division of Employment Security.
How Can I Appeal a Decision Regarding North Carolina Unemployment Benefits?
If you disagree with a decision made by DES regarding your unemployment benefits, you have the right to appeal. The appeal process involves:
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Initial Appeal: File an appeal with DES.
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Board of Review: If you disagree with the initial decision, you can appeal to the North Carolina Board of Review, an independent, quasi-judicial body that decides higher authority appeals regarding unemployment benefits NC Division of Employment Security.
Appeals must be filed within 10 days of the decision date. Your appeal should be in writing, stating the reasons for disagreement, and include your Social Security number and the issue number of the determination NC Division of Employment Security.
How Can I Report Unemployment Fraud in North Carolina?
To report suspected unemployment fraud in North Carolina, you can:
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Online: Use the DES online Fraud Report Form.
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Phone: Call the DES Fraud Hotline at 919-701-3543 NC Division of Employment Security.
If you believe you are a victim of fraud, do not complete ID verification. You are not liable for any overpayment resulting from fraudulent claims.
How Can I Speak to a Representative at North Carolina Unemployment Customer Service?
To speak with a representative at North Carolina Unemployment Customer Service, call the DES Customer Call Center at 888-737-0259. For Spanish assistance, press 2 when prompted NC Division of Employment Security.
What Happens if I Was Fired?
If you were fired, your eligibility for unemployment benefits depends on the circumstances surrounding your termination. Generally, you may not qualify if you were fired for misconduct. However, if you were fired for reasons other than misconduct, you may still be eligible for benefits NC Division of Employment Security.
What Happens if I Quit My Job?
If you quit your job, you may not qualify for unemployment benefits unless you had a good cause attributable to the employer. Personal reasons unrelated to work generally do not qualify as good cause. Each case is evaluated on its individual merits NC Division of Employment Security.
North Carolina Unemployment Phone Number and Office Locations
| North Carolina Unemployment Office | North Carolina Unemployment Office Locations | North Carolina Unemployment Phone Number |
| NC Unemployment Office – Moore County | 245 Shepherd TrailAberdeen, NC 28315 | 910-944-7697 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Hertford County | 109 Community College RoadJernigan Bldg. B Room 135Ahoskie, NC 27910 | 252-862-1257 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Stanly County | 944 North First StreetAlbemarle, NC 28001 | 704-982-2183 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Randolph County | 600 South Fayetteville StreetAsheboro, NC 27203 | 336-625-5128 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Buncombe County | 48 Grove StreetAsheville, NC 28801 | 828-251-6200 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Watauga County | 130 Poplar Grove ConnectorAppalachian Enterprise CenterBoone, NC 28607 | 828-265-5385 |
| NC Unemployment Office Transylvania County | 45 Oak Park DriveBrevard, NC 28712 | 828-883-2550 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Swain County | 101 Mitchell St.Bryson City, NC 28713 | 828-488-2149 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Pender County | 904-A S Walker StreetBurgaw, NC 28425 | 910-259-0240 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Alamance County | 2640 S Columbine LaneBurlington, NC 27215 | 336-570-6800 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Yancey County | 1040 East US Hwy 19 ESuite LBurnsville, NC 28714 | 828-682-6618 |
| Southern Human Services Center | 2501 Homestead RoadChapel Hill, NC 27516 | 919-245-4335 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Charlotte | 8601 McAlpine Park DriveSuite 110Charlotte, NC 28211 | 704-566-2870 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Charlotte South | 7140 Forest Point BlvdSuite ACharlotte, NC 28217 | 704-565-6865 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Johnston County | 8998 U.S. 70 Business Hwy WestSuite 100Clayton, NC 27520 | 919-553-0953 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Sampson County | 115 North BoulevardClinton, NC 28328 | 910-592-5756 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Cabarrus County | 845 North Church StreetSuite 201Concord, NC 28025 | 704-786-3183 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Catawba County | 403 Conover Station SESuite CConover, NC 28613 | 828-466-5535 |
| Harnett County Career Center Affiliate – Dunn | 214 W. Edgerton St.Dunn, NC 28334 | 910-891-2915 |
| NC Unemployment Office Durham County | 1105 South Briggs AvenueDurham, NC 27703 | 919-560-6880 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Chowan County | 118 Blades StreetBldg 3Edenton, NC 27932 | 252-482-2195 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Pasquotank County | 422 McArthur DriveElizabeth City, NC 27909 | 252-621-6350 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Bladen County | 401 Mercer Mill RoadElizabethtown, NC 28337 | 910-862-3255 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Cumberland County | 410 Ray AvenueFayetteville, NC 28301 | 910-486-1010 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Henderson County | 130 Eagles Reach Dr.Blue Ridge Community CollegeFlat Rock, NC 28731 | 828-694-1755 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Macon County | 5 West Main StreetFranklin, NC 28734 | 828-369-9534 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Fuquay-Varina | 130 N Judd Parkway NEFuquay Varina, NC 27526 | 919-557-1121 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Gaston County | 1391 Bessemer City RoadGastonia, NC 28052 | 704-853-5328 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Wayne County | 2006 Wayne Memorial DriveGoldsboro, NC 27534 | 919-731-7950 |
| Pamlico County Unemployment Office | 5049 Highway 306 S.Grantsboro, Nc, NC 28529 | 252-249-1851 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Greensboro | 2301 W. Meadowview RoadGreensboro, NC 27407 | 336-297-9444 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Pitt County | 3101 Bismarck StreetGreenville, NC 27834 | 252-355-9067 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Vance County | 857 South Beckford DriveSuite GHenderson, NC 27536 | 252-438-6129 |
| NC Unemployment Office – High Point | 607 Idol StreetHigh Point, NC 27262 | 336-882-4141 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Onslow County | 461 Western BlvdSuite 106Jacksonville, NC 28546 | 910-347-2121 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Ashe County | 626 Ashe Central School RdUnit 5Jefferson, NC 28640 | 336-982-5627 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Duplin County | 192 Magnolia ExtensionPO Box 459Kenansville, NC 28349 | 910-296-1478 |
| Lenoir County NC Unemployment Office | 231 Highway 58 SouthPO Box 822Kinston, NC 28502 | 252-775-6021 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Scotland County | 16800-A, US-401Laurinburg, NC 28352 | 910-276-4260 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Caldwell County | 1909 Hickory BlvdLenoir, NC 28645 | 828-759-4680 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Lexington | 220 East 1st Ave. ExtensionSuite 10Lexington, NC 27292 | 336-242-2065 |
| NC Unemployment Office -Lillington | 1137 East Cornelius Harnett BlvdLillington, NC 27546 | 910-814-4042 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Lincoln County | 529 North Aspen StreetLincolnton, NC 28092 | 704-735-8035 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Robeson County | 289 Corporate DrSuite BLumberton, NC 28358 | 910-618-5500 |
| NC Unemployment Office – McDowell County. | 316 Baldwin AveSuite 1Marion, NC 28752 | 828-659-6001 |
| NC Unemployment Office Madison County | 4646 US Highway 25-70AB Tech – Madison CampusMarshall, NC 28753 | 828-782-2632 |
| Davie County Unemployment Office | 1205 South Salisbury StreetRm. 115Mocksville, NC 27028 | 336-934-3286 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Union County | 1125 Skyway DriveMonroe, NC 28110 | 704-283-7541 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Mooresville | 532 Patterson AvenueSuite 170Mooresville, NC 28115 | 704-360-8067 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Carteret County | 309 Commerce AveMorehead City, NC 28557 | 252-726-7151 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Burke County | 720 East Union StreetMorganton, NC 28655 | 828-438-6161 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Surry County | 541 West Pine StreetSuite 300Mount Airy, NC 27030 | 336-786-4169 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Tri-County | 800 West US Highway 64Murphy, NC 28906 | 828-837-7407 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Dare County | 2522 South Croatan HighwayPO Box 757, Milepost 10.5Nags Head, NC 27959 | 252-480-3500 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Craven | 2836 Neuse BlvdNew Bern, NC 28562 | 252-514-4828 |
| Avery County Unemployment Office – Newland | 785 Cranberry StreetMayland Community CollegeNewland, NC 28657 | 828-766-1385 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Wilkes County | 1320 West D StreetSuite 2North Wilkesboro, NC 28659 | 336-838-5164 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Granville County | 111 Hilltop VillageOxford, NC 27565 | 919-693-2686 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Chatham County | 764 West StreetPittsboro, NC 27312 | 919-545-8054 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Hoke County | 304 Birch StreetRaeford, NC 28376 | 910-875-5059 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Capital Area | 1830-B Tillery PlaceRaleigh, NC 27604 | 919-715-0111 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Swinburne Street | 220 Swinburne StreetPO Box 46833Raleigh, NC 27610 | 919-250-3770 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Halifax County | 406 Premier BoulevardRoanoke Rapids, NC 27870 | 252-537-4188 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Richmond County | 115 West Franklin StreetRockingham, NC 28379 | 910-997-9180 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Nash County | 793 Country Club RoadRocky Mount, NC 27804 | 252-467-9300 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Rutherford County | 223 Charlotte RdRutherfordton, NC 28139 | 828-286-3042 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Rowan County | 1904 South Main StreetSalisbury, NC 28144-6714 | 704-639-7529 |
| Lee County NC Unemployment Office | 1909 Lee AvenueSanford, NC 27330 | 919-775-2241 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Brunswick County | 5300-7 Main StreetShallotte, NC 28470 | 910-754-6120 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Cleveland County | 404 East Marion StreetShelby, NC 28150 | 704-480-5414 |
| Greene County Unemployment Office | 818 Hwy 91 NorthSnow Hill, NC 28580 | 252-747-3434 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Alleghany County | 115 D Atwood StreetSparta, NC 28675 | 336-372-9675 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Mitchell County | 200 Mayland DrivePO Box 827Spruce Pine, NC 28777 | 828-766-1195 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Statesville | 133 Island Ford RoadStatesville, NC 28625 | 704-878-4241 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Jackson County | 26 Ridgeway StreetSuite 2 P.O. Box 1014Sylva, NC 28779 | 828-586-4063 |
| Alexander County Unemployment Office | 604 7th Street, SWTaylorsville, NC 28681 | 828-632-4631 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Thomasville | 211 West Colonial DriveSuite 119Thomasville, NC 27360 | 336-474-2655 |
| Jones County Affiliate Unemployment Office | 509 Highway 58 NorthTrenton, NC 28585 | 252-448-4791 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Troy | 1011 Page StreetTroy, NC 27371 | 910-898-9669 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Anson County | 514 N Washington StreetLockhart-Taylor CenterWadesboro, NC 28170-2137 | 704-272-5479 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Capital Area | 350 E. Holding AvenueNorthern RegionalWake Forest, NC 27587 | 919-562-6379 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Warren County | 210 W. Ridgeway St.Bldg 1 Rm. 1106Warrenton, NC 27589 | 252-257-3230 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Beaufort County | 1502 N. Market StreetWashington, NC 27889 | 252-940-0900 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Haywood County | 1170 North Main StreetWaynesville, NC 28786 | 828-456-6061 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Columbus County | 4564 Chadbourn HighwayBuilding AWhiteville, NC 28472 | 910-642-7141 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Martin County | 407 East BlvdWilliamston, NC 27892 | 252-792-7816 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Wilmington | 1994 S. 17th StreetWilmington, NC 28401 | 910-251-5777 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Wilson County | 302 Tarboro St WestWilson, NC 27893 | 252-234-1129 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Forsyth County | 2701 University ParkwayWinston-Salem, NC 27105 | 336-464-0520 |
| Yadkin County Unemployment Office | 1001 College DriveYadkinville, NC 27055 | 336-386-3580 |
| Caswell County Unemployment Office | 331 Piedmont DrivePO Box 1150Yanceyville, NC 27379 | 336-634-5600 |
| NC Unemployment Office – Zebulon | 1002 Dogwood DriveZebulon, NC 27597 | 919-404-3900 |




