DEW Launches the Next Benefits Program of the CARES Act,

Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC)

With more than $1.5 billion in unemployment insurance benefits provided to South Carolinians

during the COVID-19 pandemic, the agency begins the PEUC program, intended for

individuals who have exhausted their benefits.

With many people still claiming South Carolina unemployment insurance, Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) or Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits and some individuals going back to work, the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce launches the third program of the CARES Act, Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC).

PEUC provides 13 additional weeks of state unemployment insurance benefits after the 20 weeks provided by South Carolina law have expired. This extension means that individuals could still be eligible to receive the financial support needed to sustain them in this time of uncertainty if they:

• have exhausted all regular unemployment insurance benefit payments
• had a benefit year end after July 1, 2019, but have not qualified for a new benefit year
• are able and available for work and are actively seeking work.
• are not eligible for unemployment benefits under any other state or federal program

Individuals who have already exhausted their benefits were notified by DEW that they could now login to the portal and apply for the additional weeks offered through the PEUC. Instructions on how to apply can be found on page two under Additional Resources.

“I think we can all agree that the ideal scenario would be for South Carolinians to have a viable work opportunity, have the personal resources such as child care, health and safety needed to support that opportunity, and be able to accept the work in order to re-establish the stability of their employment income,” said S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce Executive Director, Dan Ellzey. “In many cases this will be true. However, as employers and workers adapt to changes and challenges presented with COVID-19, there will be some individuals who will need this extension of benefits until they are ready to rejoin the workforce.”

While many individuals have received state and federal benefits, not everyone will be eligible for PEUC. Some examples include:

• Those who have the ability to telework with pay and would still be working substantially the same number of hours and be receiving the same pay.
• Those who are receiving paid sick leave or other paid leave benefits and those benefits would exceed their weekly amount of PEUC.

Individuals who are eligible for PEUC could receive payments retroactive to the week ending April 4, 2020 or the first week after they exhausted their regular UI, whichever is later. The extended benefits are available through the week ending December 26, 2020 and will include weekly benefit amount plus the FPUC $600/week benefit through the week ending July 25, 2020, which is when the FPUC funds expire.

Additional Resources:

• Call center (1-866-831-1724):
  • Call center staff now exceeds 600
  • Approximately 90 percent of callers are currently waiting less than one hour to receive assistance
  • Staff continue to receive updates and training to enhance their skillset.

• If you visit our website, dew.sc.gov, you will find tools specific to the PEUC application process, including:
  • A video tutorial with step-by-step instructions for the PEUC application process.
  • - A PDF Tutorial with step-by-step instructions for the PEUC application process.

• If you visit our SC DEW YouTube you will find videos, including:
  • Step-by-step instructions on how to register, file a claim and how to certify each week.
  • Our executive leadership speaking about our current unemployment situation.

Here’s how to file for Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC):

1. Login to your benefits account and click “Apply for Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation” or “File a New Unemployment Insurance Claim.”
2. Complete the eligibility, employment history, and separation and job eligibility questions, and submit your claim.

About the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce

The S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce is putting South Carolinians to work. The agency has four missions: (1) workforce development; (2) free job match employment services; (3) unemployment insurance; and (4) labor market information. All four missions contribute to workforce development. The agency is dedicated to advancing South Carolina through services and programs that meet the needs of our businesses, jobseekers and those looking to advance their careers.