Who’s in charge of North Carolina Unemployment Insurance Benefits?

The North Carolina Division of Employment Security (DES) is in charge of administering the state’s unemployment insurance program.

Employers pay federal and state unemployment taxes on employee wages to fund this program, which is a federal-state collaboration.

Benefits are paid to qualifying individuals who have lost their jobs due to no fault of their own who are willing, able, and looking for work.

North Carolina Unemployment Contact

For Claimants

  • Customer Call Center:  888-737-0259
  • Fax: 919-857-1296
  • Fraud Hotline: 910-557-9926
  • Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Employer Call Center

  • Phone (Toll Free): 866-278-3822
  • Phone (Local): 919-707-1150
  • Fax: 919-715-0780
  • Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

DES Mailing Address

DES Mailing Address:

  • P.O. Box 25903
  • Raleigh, NC 27611-5903

DES Central Office Location:

  • 700 Wade Avenue
  • Raleigh, NC 27605

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How To Qualify for North Carolina Unemployment Benefits

North Carolina utilizes four key criteria to decide who is eligible for unemployment benefits, as listed below:

  • According to the facts submitted by both the claimant and the employer, the claimant must be jobless due to no fault of his or her own.
  • During the base period of review, the claimant must have earned sufficient wages, which are utilized to assist calculate compensation levels.
  • The claimant must be physically capable of accepting work when it is provided.
  • The claimant must be actively looking for work, which includes signing up for NCWorks Online.

How Much Unemployment Benefits Will I Get in North Carolina?

  • Base Period: First 4 of the last 5 completed quarters
  • Alt Base Period: Last 4 completed quarters
  • Duration of Benefits: 14-26 weeks
  • Weekly Payment: Min $15 to Max $350
  • Maximum Benefits Amount (1 year): $7,000

How Do I Apply for North Carolina Unemployment Benefits?

Filing your first claim for UI benefits Onlineis the quickest and most efficient way to collect compensation. You can also file by phone through North Carolina’s Customer Call Center at 888-737-0259 if you choose.

If you opt to file online, go to the DES homepage and click Create an Online Account, then follow the instructions for creating an account, including selecting a PIN, which you will use to monitor the status of your claim and submit for your weekly benefits.

How do I Manage My North Carolina Unemployment Benefits

After your initial unemployment claim is approved, you must submit a weekly certification for each week that you want to receive benefits. This requires you to answer a series of questions to prove that you were able, available, and looking for new work during that week.

Weekly benefit claims must be made online using the same account you used to file your original claim. If you are unable to submit your application online, call the state’s customer service department at 888-737-0259.

How Do I Appeal a North Carolina Unemployment Decision?

You may challenge a decision regarding your initial claim if you are unhappy with it.

The letter of determination you get will include all of the details you’ll need to file an appeal, as well as the deadline for doing so. The quickest and most convenient method to file an appeal is to use the same account you’ve been using for your UI weekly benefits claims.

You may be requested to attend a hearing once your appeal is submitted, and your unemployment claim may be examined by the North Carolina Board of Review. Higher Authority Appeals regarding North Carolina unemployment benefits are decided by the board, which is an independent, quasi-judicial body.

How Do I Report a North Carolina Unemployment Fraud?

The Division of Employment Security in North Carolina works tirelessly to prevent fraud in the state’s unemployment system. You can report illegal conduct using the DES Fraud Reporting Form if you suspect someone of using false information to claim for unemployment benefits.

You can also call the DES Fraud Hotline at 984-465-9224 to report it to the state. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., state agents are ready to accept your call.

What if I quit?

In most cases, you are not eligible if you voluntarily leave your work.

If you quit for “good cause,” though, you may be able to collect. The state unemployment office determines what constitutes a good cause, and you can make your case for receiving benefits.

You should be entitled to a hearing if your claim is denied so that you can explain your claim. You should contact your local office because policies and terms differ from state to state.

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