South Carolina Unemployment Calculator
Estimated Weekly Benefit
What Is the South Carolina Unemployment Calculator?
The South Carolina Unemployment Calculator is an online tool that estimates your weekly benefit amount (WBA) and total unemployment compensation based on the wages you earned in your most recent base period (more on that below).
It doesn’t file a claim for you. Instead, it helps you get a clear picture of what you might receive if you qualify.
How the Calculator Works (Plain English Edition)
You’ll need four things to use it:
- Claim Start Date – The date you plan to file for unemployment.
- Your Wages – Enter your total earnings for four past quarters (each 3 months long).
- Optional Alternate Quarter – If you're not eligible with your initial data, the calculator lets you input wages from a different quarter.
- One Click – Hit "Calculate" to get your estimate.
It checks your wages against South Carolina's unemployment rules to see if you qualify and, if so, how much you might get.
Understanding the Base Period
This is where it gets slightly technical—but stay with us.
Your base period is a 12-month window made up of the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file your claim. The calculator automatically figures this out based on the start date you enter.
So if you file in October 2025, your base period would typically be:
- July 2024 – June 2025 (Q3 2024 to Q2 2025)
You’ll input your wages for each of these quarters.
If you don’t qualify under the standard base period, the calculator offers an Alternate Base Period check. It uses a slightly different 12-month range to give you a second shot at qualifying.
What the Calculator Tells You
Once you enter your data and hit "Calculate Estimate," here’s what you’ll see:
| Result | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Base Period Used | Shows if it used Standard or Alternate base period |
| Estimated Weekly Benefit | The amount you may receive each week |
| Estimated Max Benefit | The total amount you could collect over your claim period |
| Estimated Duration | How many weeks your benefits might last |
If you’re not eligible, the calculator explains why—clearly and without jargon.
Behind the Scenes: How Estimates Are Calculated
The calculator uses real eligibility rules from the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW), including:
- Minimum High Quarter Wages: $1,092
- Minimum Total Base Period Wages: $4,455
- Weekly Benefit Amount (WBA): Roughly 1/26th of your highest quarter wages
- WBA Range: Between $42 and $326
- Maximum Duration: Up to 20 weeks
If your wages meet the requirements, you’ll see your potential weekly and total benefits. If not, you’ll get a message explaining the reason (like not earning enough in one quarter or total wages being too low).
Why Use the Calculator?
Here’s why this tool is worth your time:
- Instant answers — No waiting, no calls
- Completely anonymous — No login or personal info needed
- Helps you plan — Know what to expect before filing a claim
- Built-in eligibility check — Not just numbers, it tells you if you qualify
How to Use the Calculator (Step-by-Step)
- Go to the Calculator
Look for the section titled "South Carolina Unemployment Calculator." - Pick Your Claim Date
This sets the base period. The tool updates the quarter labels automatically. - Enter Your Wages
Type in your earnings for each of the four displayed quarters. - Click “Calculate Estimate”
The results will show your estimated weekly amount, total benefits, and eligibility. - Not Eligible?
It might prompt you to enter wages from an earlier quarter to check the alternate base period. - Click "Reset" if you want to start over.
Important Note
This is only an estimate.
Your actual benefit amount will be determined by the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW) after you file your claim.
Use this calculator for planning, not as a guarantee.
