North Carolina Unemployment

North Carolina Unemployment Benefits

North Carolina’s Division of Employment Security oversees the administration of unemployment insurance benefits. The program represents a United States federal-state partnership, funded completely by both federal and state unemployment insurance tax that employers are required to pay on their employees’ wages. 

Unemployment insurance benefits are available to help provide temporary income for eligible North Carolina workers who are currently jobless and who have lost employment through no fault of their own. Provided is North Carolina Unemployment Benefits information to help you learn more.

North Carolina Unemployment Services

Website	https://des.nc.gov
Private Website	North Carolina Unemployment
Phone	888-737-0259
Apply Online	https://des.nc.gov/apply-unemployment
Weekly Certification	File a Weekly Claim
Appeal a Denial	https://des.nc.gov/appeals/file-appeal
Find a Local Office	Career Center Locations
Report Fraud	Fraud Reporting Form
Coronavirus Updates	COVID-19 Information

How To Qualify for Unemployment Benefits in North Carolina

North Carolina uses four main criteria to determine UI benefits eligibility through provided personal information, as outlined below:

• The claimant must be unemployed through no fault of his or her own, as determined by the legal information provided by both the claimant and the employer
• The claimant must have earned a sufficient wage during the base period of review – the provided wage is used to help determine benefit amounts
• The claimant must be physically able and available to accept work when offered
• The claimant must be actively seeking work, including registering for work with NCWorks Online. You will have to provide updates on your work search effort to continue to receive your weekly benefit amount.

Benefit Payments and Duration

Base Period	First 4 of the last 5 completed quarters
Alt Base Period	The last 4 completed quarters

Duration of Benefits	Weekly Payment		Maximum Benefits Amount (1 year)
	Min	Max
14-26 weeks	$15	$350	$7,000

How To Apply for Unemployment Benefits in North Carolina

The fastest and most efficient way to get UI benefits is to provide your personal information and employee information by filing an initial claim online. However, if you’d prefer, you also may file by phone through North Carolina’s Customer Call Center at 888-737-0259.

If you choose to file online, you can click on Create an Online Account on the DES homepage and follow the instructions given for setting up an account, including choosing a PIN, which you will need to check your claim’s status and file for your weekly benefit amount.

Managing Your Unemployment Benefits

Once your initial unemployment claim is accepted, you must continue to submit a weekly certification for each week you’d like to receive benefits. This entails answering a series of questions that will verify that you were able, available, and searching for new employment during that week.

These weekly benefit claims must be submitted online, using the account you created when you filed your initial claim. If online submission is not possible for you, you can contact the state’s customer call center at 888-737-0259.

Filing an Appeal

If you are unhappy with the decision about your initial claim, you may submit a written statement challenging the decision. You do not need to use any special form to file your appeal.

The letter of determination you receive will outline all the information you need on how to file an appeal, plus the deadline for doing so. The fastest and easiest way to submit an appeal is through the account you already have been using for your UI weekly benefits claims.

After your appeal is received, you may be asked to participate in a hearing and your unemployment claim may be reviewed by the North Carolina Board of Review. The board is an independent, quasi-judicial body that decides Higher Authority Appeals about North Carolina unemployment compensation.

Reporting Fraud

North Carolina’s Division of Employment Security works extremely hard to prevent fraud within the state unemployment benefits system. If you suspect someone of using fraudulent information to apply for unemployment compensation, you can report unlawful activity using the DES Fraud Reporting Form.

You also can let the state know of any fraud alerts through the DES Fraud Hotline at 984-465-9224. State agents are available to take your call Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

North Carolina Unemployment Office Locations

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 Burnsville, 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 Conover, 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 Henderson, 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 Lumberton, 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 Street Rm. 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 Street Salisbury, 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 North 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, SW Taylorsville, 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