North Carolina Unemployment
What you need to know to claim unemployment benefits in North Carolina, read on the agency's own website. The agency is N.C. Division of Employment Security (DES).
the most a week, for up to 12 weeks
job contacts a week
UI Support Center: questions about filing a claim or an existing claim (individuals only, not employers)
How to file for unemployment in North Carolina
Apply online through MyNCUIBenefits, the fastest way: create an account, sign in, then choose "File a New Unemployment Insurance Claim". You can also apply by phone at 888-737-0259. The first eligible week is an unpaid waiting week, but you must still file a weekly certification for it.
From the agency's own page, read October 14, 2026.
After you apply: claiming each week
File your weekly certification every week to get your payment, even while you wait for a decision on your claim, through your MyNCUIBenefits account online. Report any money you earned that week. You must enter your work search activities in MyNCUIBenefits before you can file the certification.
From the agency's own page, read October 14, 2026.
How much unemployment pays in North Carolina, and for how long
The most you can get is $350 a week. Benefits last up to 12 weeks.
After you apply, DES tells you how much you may get. The most you can currently be paid in state unemployment benefits is $350 a week for up to 12 weeks. You can earn 20% of your weekly benefit amount from work without any deduction.
From the agency's own page, read October 14, 2026.
How many jobs you must apply for each week
North Carolina asks for 3 job contacts a week. Starting the week you file. One of the three each week can be a reemployment activity (training, career counseling, job clubs, career fairs). You must also register with NCWorks.
Enter each contact (date, company or activity, contact method and details) in your MyNCUIBenefits account before you file your weekly certification. Saving a copy for two years is recommended.
From the agency's own page, read October 14, 2026.
Our free job application tracker keeps the list: where you applied, when, and what came of it.
North Carolina unemployment phone number
Call 888-737-0259 (uI Support Center: questions about filing a claim or an existing claim (individuals only, not employers)), 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday. Every line and what it is for.
Where this comes from
Everything on this page was read on the agency's own website, and each part links the page it came from and the day we read it. Rules and amounts change, so check that page before you rely on a figure. Jobareer is not part of any state agency and cannot see or change your claim.
Other states
Alabama · Alaska · Arizona · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · District of Columbia · Florida · Georgia · Hawaii · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Dakota · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · Washington · West Virginia · Wisconsin · Wyoming