How is the South Carolina weekly benefit amount calculated?

South Carolina divides the wages in your highest base-period quarter by 26 to set your weekly benefit amount. The result is capped at the state maximum weekly benefit (about $326) and is paid only if you meet the minimum base-period earnings requirement.

How long do South Carolina unemployment benefits last?

South Carolina pays up to 20 weeks of regular benefits, shorter than the 26 weeks many states offer. Your maximum benefit amount equals the lesser of your weekly amount times 20 or one-third of your total base-period wages.

What is the base period for South Carolina unemployment?

The standard base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file. If you do not qualify on those wages, South Carolina may use an alternate base period of the four most recently completed quarters.

Do I have to earn a minimum to qualify in South Carolina?

Yes. You must have at least $1,092 in your highest quarter and total base-period wages of at least 1.5 times your high-quarter wages, among other requirements. This estimator flags whether your entries clear the basic earnings test.

South Carolina Unemployment Benefit Estimator

Email me this result

Get this tool's output sent to your inbox, plus one useful tool a week. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

This estimator applies South Carolina’s unemployment-insurance math: it divides your highest base-period quarter of wages by 26 to set the weekly benefit amount, caps it at the state maximum, and reports both your weekly payment and the maximum duration you may receive.

How it works

South Carolina sets your weekly benefit amount (WBA) from your single highest-earning quarter in the base period:

WBA = high-quarter wages / 26   (capped at the state maximum)
max benefit = min(WBA x 20, total base-period wages / 3)

The base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters. To qualify you generally need at least $1,092 in your high quarter and total base-period wages of at least 1.5 times your high-quarter wages. South Carolina pays regular benefits for up to 20 weeks.

Example

A claimant whose best quarter paid $11,000 has a WBA of 11,000 / 26 = $423, which is capped at the state maximum of about $326 per week. Over a 20-week maximum that is roughly $6,520 in total regular benefits, subject to the one-third-of-total-wages limit.

Notes

The state maximum weekly benefit and the minimum-earnings thresholds are updated periodically, so treat the figures here as a planning estimate. Actual eligibility also depends on the reason for separation, ongoing work-search requirements, and any disqualifications. File and confirm your exact amount with the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce at dew.sc.gov.