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North Carolina Unemployment

Written by Benefits.com Advisors

Updated April 3, 2023

Table of Contents

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

Websitehttps://des.nc.gov
Private WebsiteNorth Carolina Unemployment
Phone888-737-0259
Apply Onlinehttps://des.nc.gov/apply-unemployment
Weekly CertificationFile a Weekly Claim
Appeal a Denialhttps://des.nc.gov/appeals/file-appeal
Find a Local OfficeCareer Center Locations
Report FraudFraud Reporting Form
Coronavirus UpdatesCOVID-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 PeriodFirst 4 of the last 5 completed quarters
Alt Base PeriodThe last 4 completed quarters
Duration of BenefitsWeekly PaymentMaximum Benefits Amount (1 year)
MinMax
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 County245 Shepherd TrailAberdeen, NC 28315910-944-7697
NC Unemployment Office – Hertford County109 Community College RoadJernigan Bldg. B Room 135Ahoskie, NC 27910252-862-1257
NC Unemployment Office – Stanly County944 North First StreetAlbemarle, NC 28001704-982-2183
NC Unemployment Office – Randolph County600 South Fayetteville StreetAsheboro, NC 27203336-625-5128
NC Unemployment Office – Buncombe County48 Grove StreetAsheville, NC 28801828-251-6200
NC Unemployment Office – Watauga County130 Poplar Grove ConnectorAppalachian Enterprise CenterBoone, NC 28607828-265-5385
NC Unemployment Office Transylvania County45 Oak Park DriveBrevard, NC 28712828-883-2550
NC Unemployment Office – Swain County101 Mitchell St.Bryson City, NC 28713828-488-2149
NC Unemployment Office – Pender County904-A S Walker StreetBurgaw, NC 28425910-259-0240
NC Unemployment Office – Alamance County2640 S Columbine LaneBurlington, NC 27215336-570-6800
NC Unemployment Office – Yancey County1040 East US Hwy 19 ESuite Burnsville, NC 28714828-682-6618
Southern Human Services Center2501 Homestead RoadChapel Hill, NC 27516919-245-4335
NC Unemployment Office – Charlotte8601 McAlpine Park DriveSuite 110Charlotte, NC 28211704-566-2870
NC Unemployment Office – Charlotte South7140 Forest Point BlvdSuite ACharlotte, NC 28217704-565-6865
NC Unemployment Office – Johnston County8998 U.S. 70 Business Hwy WestSuite 100Clayton, NC 27520919-553-0953
NC Unemployment Office – Sampson County115 North BoulevardClinton, NC 28328910-592-5756
NC Unemployment Office – Cabarrus County845 North Church StreetSuite 201Concord, NC 28025704-786-3183
NC Unemployment Office – Catawba County403 Conover Station SESuite Conover, NC 28613828-466-5535
Harnett County Career Center Affiliate – Dunn214 W. Edgerton St.Dunn, NC 28334910-891-2915
NC Unemployment Office Durham County1105 South Briggs AvenueDurham, NC 27703919-560-6880
NC Unemployment Office – Chowan County118 Blades StreetBldg 3Edenton, NC 27932252-482-2195
NC Unemployment Office – Pasquotank County422 McArthur DriveElizabeth City, NC 27909252-621-6350
NC Unemployment Office – Bladen County401 Mercer Mill RoadElizabethtown, NC 28337910-862-3255
NC Unemployment Office – Cumberland County410 Ray AvenueFayetteville, NC 28301910-486-1010
NC Unemployment Office – Henderson County130 Eagles Reach Dr.Blue Ridge Community CollegeFlat Rock, NC 28731828-694-1755
NC Unemployment Office – Macon County5 West Main StreetFranklin, NC 28734828-369-9534
NC Unemployment Office – Fuquay-Varina130 N Judd Parkway NEFuquay Varina, NC 27526919-557-1121
NC Unemployment Office – Gaston County1391 Bessemer City RoadGastonia, NC 28052704-853-5328
NC Unemployment Office – Wayne County2006 Wayne Memorial DriveGoldsboro, NC 27534919-731-7950
Pamlico County Unemployment Office5049 Highway 306 S.Grantsboro, NC, NC 28529252-249-1851
NC Unemployment Office – Greensboro2301 W. Meadowview RoadGreensboro, NC 27407336-297-9444
NC Unemployment Office – Pitt County3101 Bismarck StreetGreenville, NC 27834252-355-9067
NC Unemployment Office – Vance County857 South Beckford DriveSuite Henderson, NC 27536252-438-6129
NC Unemployment Office – High Point607 Idol StreetHigh Point, NC 27262336-882-4141
NC Unemployment Office – Onslow County461 Western BlvdSuite 106Jacksonville, NC 28546910-347-2121
NC Unemployment Office – Ashe County626 Ashe Central School RdUnit 5Jefferson, NC 28640336-982-5627
NC Unemployment Office – Duplin County192 Magnolia ExtensionPO Box 459Kenansville, NC 28349910-296-1478
Lenoir County NC Unemployment Office231 Highway 58 SouthPO Box 822Kinston, NC 28502252-775-6021
NC Unemployment Office – Scotland County16800-A, US-401Laurinburg, NC 28352910-276-4260
NC Unemployment Office – Caldwell County1909 Hickory BlvdLenoir, NC 28645828-759-4680
NC Unemployment Office – Lexington220 East 1st Ave. ExtensionSuite 10Lexington, NC 27292336-242-2065
NC Unemployment Office -Lillington1137 East Cornelius Harnett BlvdLillington, NC 27546910-814-4042
NC Unemployment Office – Lincoln County529 North Aspen StreetLincolnton, NC 28092704-735-8035
NC Unemployment Office – Robeson County289 Corporate DrSuite Lumberton, NC 28358910-618-5500
NC Unemployment Office – McDowell County.316 Baldwin AveSuite 1Marion, NC 28752828-659-6001
NC Unemployment Office Madison County4646 US Highway 25-70AB Tech – Madison CampusMarshall, NC 28753828-782-2632
Davie County Unemployment Office1205 South Salisbury Street Rm. 115Mocksville, NC 27028336-934-3286
NC Unemployment Office – Union County1125 Skyway DriveMonroe, NC 28110704-283-7541
NC Unemployment Office – Mooresville532 Patterson AvenueSuite 170Mooresville, NC 28115704-360-8067
NC Unemployment Office – Carteret County309 Commerce AveMorehead City, NC 28557252-726-7151
NC Unemployment Office – Burke County720 East Union StreetMorganton, NC 28655828-438-6161
NC Unemployment Office – Surry County541 West Pine StreetSuite 300Mount Airy, NC 27030336-786-4169
NC Unemployment Office – Tri-County800 West US Highway 64Murphy, NC 28906828-837-7407
NC Unemployment Office – Dare County2522 South Croatan HighwayPO Box 757, Milepost 10.5Nags Head, NC 27959252-480-3500
NC Unemployment Office – Craven2836 Neuse BlvdNew Bern, NC 28562252-514-4828
Avery County Unemployment Office – Newland785 Cranberry StreetMayland Community CollegeNewland, NC 28657828-766-1385
NC Unemployment Office – Wilkes County1320 West D StreetSuite 2North Wilkesboro, NC 28659336-838-5164
NC Unemployment Office – Granville County111 Hilltop VillageOxford, NC 27565919-693-2686
NC Unemployment Office – Chatham County764 West StreetPittsboro, NC 27312919-545-8054
NC Unemployment Office – Hoke County304 Birch StreetRaeford, NC 28376910-875-5059
NC Unemployment Office – Capital Area1830-B Tillery PlaceRaleigh, NC 27604919-715-0111
NC Unemployment Office – Swinburne Street220 Swinburne StreetPO Box 46833Raleigh, NC 27610919-250-3770
NC Unemployment Office – Halifax County406 Premier BoulevardRoanoke Rapids, NC 27870252-537-4188
NC Unemployment Office – Richmond County115 West Franklin StreetRockingham, NC 28379910-997-9180
NC Unemployment Office – Nash County793 Country Club RoadRocky Mount, NC 27804252-467-9300
NC Unemployment Office – Rutherford County223 Charlotte RdRutherfordton, NC 28139828-286-3042
NC Unemployment Office – Rowan County1904 South Main Street Salisbury, NC 28144-6714704-639-7529
Lee County NC Unemployment Office1909 Lee AvenueSanford, NC 27330919-775-2241
NC Unemployment Office – Brunswick County5300-7 Main StreetShallotte, NC 28470910-754-6120
NC Unemployment Office – Cleveland County404 East Marion StreetShelby, NC 28150704-480-5414
Greene County Unemployment Office818 Hwy 91 North Hill, NC 28580252-747-3434
NC Unemployment Office – Alleghany County115 D Atwood StreetSparta, NC 28675336-372-9675
NC Unemployment Office – Mitchell County200 Mayland DrivePO Box 827Spruce Pine, NC 28777828-766-1195
NC Unemployment Office – Statesville133 Island Ford RoadStatesville, NC 28625704-878-4241
NC Unemployment Office – Jackson County26 Ridgeway StreetSuite 2  P.O. Box 1014Sylva, NC 28779828-586-4063
Alexander County Unemployment Office604 7th Street, SW Taylorsville, NC 28681828-632-4631
NC Unemployment Office – Thomasville211 West Colonial DriveSuite 119Thomasville, NC 27360336-474-2655
Jones County Affiliate Unemployment Office509 Highway 58 NorthTrenton, NC 28585252-448-4791
NC Unemployment Office – Troy1011 Page StreetTroy, NC 27371910-898-9669
NC Unemployment Office – Anson County514 N Washington StreetLockhart-Taylor CenterWadesboro, NC 28170-2137704-272-5479
NC Unemployment Office – Capital Area350 E. Holding AvenueNorthern RegionalWake Forest, NC 27587919-562-6379
NC Unemployment Office – Warren County210 W. Ridgeway St.Bldg 1 Rm. 1106Warrenton, NC 27589252-257-3230
NC Unemployment Office – Beaufort County1502 N. Market StreetWashington, NC 27889252-940-0900
NC Unemployment Office – Haywood County1170 North Main StreetWaynesville, NC 28786828-456-6061
NC Unemployment Office – Columbus County4564 Chadbourn HighwayBuilding AWhiteville, NC 28472910-642-7141
NC Unemployment Office – Martin County407 East BlvdWilliamston, NC 27892252-792-7816
NC Unemployment Office – Wilmington1994 S. 17th StreetWilmington, NC 28401910-251-5777
NC Unemployment Office – Wilson County302 Tarboro St WestWilson, NC 27893252-234-1129
NC Unemployment Office – Forsyth County2701 University ParkwayWinston-Salem, NC 27105336-464-0520
Yadkin County Unemployment Office1001 College DriveYadkinville, NC 27055336-386-3580
Caswell County Unemployment Office331 Piedmont DrivePO Box 1150Yanceyville, NC 27379336-634-5600
NC Unemployment Office – Zebulon1002 Dogwood DriveZebulon, NC 27597919-404-3900 

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