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:

  • 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.

  • Earnings: You must have earned enough wages in the last 15 months.

  • Ability and Availability: You must be able and available to work.

  • Active Job Search: You must be actively looking for a new job.

Generally, you may not qualify if you:

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:

  • Online: Visit the DES website to file your claim online.

  • Phone: Call the DES Customer Call Center at 888-737-0259.

Before applying, gather the following information:

  • Your Social Security number or Alien Registration number and expiration date (if you are not a U.S. citizen).

  • Work history from the past two years, including employer information (W-2s or pay stubs), total wages, employment dates, and pay rate.

  • Information about why your job ended.

  • 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:

  • File Weekly Certifications: You must file weekly certifications to continue receiving benefits.

  • Check Claim Status: Monitor the status of your claim through your online account.

  • 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:

  1. Initial Appeal: File an appeal with DES.

  2. 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:

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