In 2013, the North Carolina General Assembly drastically cut benefits for individuals who lost their jobs. Here are a few things you should know about the unemployment insurance benefit in North Carolina if you have recently become separated from your employer and are considering filing a claim for benefits:
Prerequisites
- File a claim for unemployment benefits
- Must have been paid a minimum amount of wages based on your individual situation preceding the filing of the claim
- Register for work
Eligibility
- You are not eligible if you left work for any reason other than good cause attributable to your employer, which means you cannot receive benefits if you:
- Voluntarily resigned or abandoned your position; or
- Were terminated for engaging in misconduct relating to your work
- Examples: Reporting to work impaired by alcohol or drugs; theft; making inappropriate comments; physical violence or threats at work; violation of written absenteeism policy; refusal to perform assigned tasks
Benefit Amount
- The MAXIMUM weekly gross benefit amount is $350.00, but the amount you receive will be based on the wages you have earned prior to becoming unemployed.
Benefit Duration
- The minimum and maximum duration of your benefits is tied to the unemployment rate in North Carolina. Currently, North Carolina’s rate of unemployment is 6.3%. The following schedule determines the benefit duration:
Seasonal Adjusted Minimum Number Maximum Number Unemployment Rate of Weeks of Weeks
Less than or equal to 5.5% 5 12
Greater than 5.5% up to 6% 6 13
Greater than 6% up to 6.5% 7 14
Greater than 6.5% up to 7% 8 15
Greater than 7% up to 7.5% 9 16
Greater than 7.5% up to 8% 10 17
Greater than 8% up to 8.5% 11 18
Greater than 8.5% up to 9% 12 19
Greater than 9% 13 20
About The Noble Law Firm
The Noble Law is a women-owned employment law firm with offices in North Carolina and South Carolina, founded by Laura Noble in 2009. Specializing in wrongful termination, workplace harassment, workplace retaliation, workplace mediation, and neutral third-party investigations, the firm is committed to leveling the playing field for employees. Their focus is on delivering positive outcomes with empathy and integrity, while also driving societal change in employment law.
The firm emphasizes diversity, collaboration, and innovation, fostering a balanced work environment that values the personal lives of its staff. With a strong commitment to technology and efficiency, The Noble Law provides personalized attention to a select group of clients, handling cases involving harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and more. The team’s extensive litigation experience allows them to deliver thorough and assertive representation.
