Unemployment Insurance offers temporary financial assistance to unemployed people. In North Carolina, the most you can currently receive in state unemployment benefits is $350 a week for up to 12 weeks. Length and amount of benefits is determined once a claim is filed.
How can I apply?
The fastest way to file a claim for Unemployment Insurance is to file online. Claims can also be filed over the phone by calling. Not everyone who applies for benefits will qualify.
Eligibility Requirements:
You must meet all four of the following requirements to be eligible for unemployment benefits:
- Must be unemployed due to no fault of your own
- Must have earned enough to establish a claim
- Must be able, available, and seeking work
- Must register for work with NCWorks
Before you apply, have these documents on hand:
All Individuals
- Social Security Number
- Information from your most recent employer about pay (ie. severance, vacation, work) you received or will receive.
- Information about any retirement pay
- Bank routing number and account number for direct deposit (If unable to receive direct deposit, a debit card will be given instead)
- Work history for the past two years (employer name, payroll, physical address, telephone number, dates of employment, rate of pay, reason for separation)
Non-Citizens
- Alien number and expiration date of your Employment Authorization Document
Former Federal Employees
- Your SF-50 form, SF-8 form, pay stubs or W-2 (If DD214 is not available, it can be provided later)
Former Military
- DD214, Member 4 Copy (If DD214 is not available, it can be provided later)
Need more information?
Frequently asked questions can be found here. If you didn’t find what you need on this page or need more information on local resources, dial 2-1-1 or 888-892-1162. Our call specialists are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Last updated 6/1/2023
