To apply for unemployment benefits in North Carolina (NC), the fastest and most common way is to file a claim online at the NC Division of Employment Security (DES) website, des.nc.gov. If online access is unavailable or assistance is needed, claims can also be filed by phone at 888-737-0259. When applying, be prepared to provide your Social Security number, details about your most recent employment and pay, work history for the last two years, and your bank routing and account numbers for direct deposit. After creating an online account on the DES website, file a new claim by following the steps, which include answering questions about your last employer and eligibility. Once the claim is filed, you must complete weekly certifications to confirm eligibility and report any work or earnings, as failure to do so will delay payments. Generally, after filing your claim, your last employer has 10 days to respond to DES. If no issues arise, benefit payments typically begin within about 14 days. Note that some requirements have been waived due to COVID-19 under an executive order, such as the one-week waiting period and active work search for those affected by the pandemic. In summary, the process is:
- Create an online account at des.nc.gov.
- File your unemployment claim online or call 888-737-0259.
- Provide necessary personal and employment information.
- Complete weekly certifications to maintain eligibility.
- Receive payments usually within two weeks if no employer disputes occur.
This method is supported by the NC Division of Employment Security and is the recommended and official way to apply for unemployment benefits in North Carolina in 2025.
