South Carolina Unemployment Calculator
Estimate your South Carolina weekly unemployment benefit, duration, and total payout. South Carolina pays up to $350 a week for up to 20 weeks. This is an estimate, not a determination.
An estimate, not a determination.
This estimates your South Carolina weekly unemployment benefit from your wages. The state agency makes the actual decision based on your full wage record and why your job ended. File your claim with South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW) to get your real amount.
More exact? Enter your highest-paid quarter
Most states base your benefit on your highest-earning quarter of the base period (the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters). Enter it for a closer estimate; leave blank to use your annual income.
Estimated Weekly Benefit
$350/week
≈ 35% of your weekly wage · South Carolina · estimate only
You're at South Carolina's $350 maximum.
Max Duration
20 weeks
Max Total Benefit
$7,000
Your wage is above South Carolina's benefit cap, so you would receive the $350 maximum regardless of higher earnings.
Up to 20 weeks of benefits in a benefit year (statutory cap; not rate-indexed). MBA is the lesser of 20 x WBA or one-third of total base-period wages.
South Carolina has a one-week unpaid waiting period before benefits begin.
This is an estimate, not a determination. The state agency calculates your actual benefit from your full base-period wage record, and eligibility also depends on why your job ended and your ongoing work search.
Your weekly benefit is based on your wages in the "base period" (usually the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters), replaced at roughly 50% up to South Carolina's $350 maximum. Eligibility also depends on earning enough in the base period and on why your job ended (generally you must be out of work through no fault of your own). This is an estimate, not legal advice or a determination, and RecordingLaw.com is not a government agency.
How South Carolina Calculates Your Weekly Benefit
WBA = 1/26 of the wages paid in the highest quarter of the base period (approximately 50% of the average weekly wage in the high quarter), clamped to the statutory min/max.
The result is capped at South Carolina's $350 maximum and floored at its $42 minimum (2026). You can collect for up to 20 weeks. Up to 20 weeks of benefits in a benefit year (statutory cap; not rate-indexed). MBA is the lesser of 20 x WBA or one-third of total base-period wages.
Source: South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW).
Who Qualifies in South Carolina
To draw benefits you generally must have earned enough during the base period (Standard base period = first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before the claim. Alternate base period = last four completed calendar quarters if the standard period does not qualify.), be unemployed through no fault of your own (laid off, not fired for misconduct and generally not quitting without good cause), and be able, available, and actively looking for work. Must have at least $1,092 in covered wages in the highest base-period quarter, at least $4,455 in total base-period wages, and total base-period wages of at least 1.5x the high-quarter wages. South Carolina also has a one-week unpaid waiting period before benefits begin.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is unemployment in South Carolina?
South Carolina pays roughly 50% of your average weekly wage, from a $42 minimum up to a $350 maximum per week (2026). Use the calculator above to estimate your amount from your wages.
How many weeks of unemployment can I get in South Carolina?
Up to 20 weeks. Up to 20 weeks of benefits in a benefit year (statutory cap; not rate-indexed). MBA is the lesser of 20 x WBA or one-third of total base-period wages.
How is my South Carolina weekly benefit calculated?
WBA = 1/26 of the wages paid in the highest quarter of the base period (approximately 50% of the average weekly wage in the high quarter), clamped to the statutory min/max.
What is the maximum unemployment benefit in South Carolina?
$350 per week in 2026. The maximum is set by the state and usually updated each year.
Is this calculator official?
No. It is a free estimate based on South Carolina's published 2026 formula and caps. Your actual benefit is determined by South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW) from your complete wage record and the reason your job ended. It is not legal advice and RecordingLaw.com is not a government agency.
Disclaimer
This calculator is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice, a benefit determination, or a guarantee of eligibility. Unemployment formulas and maximums change (often annually); figures are current as of 2026-06-02. Only South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW) can determine your actual benefit and eligibility. RecordingLaw.com is not a government agency.