2026Weekly benefit (WBA)Free

South Carolina Unemployment Benefits Calculator

Estimate your South Carolina weekly benefit amount (WBA) and total unemployment insurance. South Carolina maxes out at $326/week for up to 20 weeks ($6,520 maximum total). Enter high-quarter wages or annual salary for an instant estimate.

Updated July 2026 · Free estimate · Verify with your state UI agency

By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026

$326

Max weekly

$42

Min weekly

20 weeks

Max duration

$6,520

Max total

South Carolina estimate uses high-quarter wages ÷ 26, then caps between $42 and $326 per week for up to 20 weeks. Defaults: $15,000 high quarter — try the $50k / $75k / $100k salary chips to compare.

South Carolina wages

South Carolina

$42–$326/wk · up to 20 weeks

High-quarter wages

Highest-earning quarter in your base period.

Or annual salary

Uses salary ÷ 4 as high quarter.

South Carolina estimate

up to 20 wks

Weekly benefit

$326

per week

Max total

$6,520

20 weeks

State min

$42

Your WBA

$326

State max

$326

Based on high-quarter wages of $15,000. Estimate only — file with South Carolina's UI agency for your official amount.

Common formula: high-quarter ÷ 26, then capped between state min and max. Your state may use a different divisor or dependents.

Tax reminder: Unemployment benefits are taxable income. Confirm details with South Carolina's official unemployment website.

How to estimate South Carolina unemployment benefits

Confirm South Carolina benefit range

South Carolina weekly benefits run from $42 to $326, for up to 20 weeks when eligible.

Enter high-quarter wages or salary

Use wages from your highest-earning base-period quarter, or enter annual salary (estimated as salary ÷ 4).

Review your estimated WBA and total

See your estimated weekly benefit, duration up to 20 weeks, and maximum total benefits for South Carolina.

File with South Carolina

This tool is an estimate only. File a claim with South Carolina's unemployment agency for your official weekly benefit amount.

How much unemployment in South Carolina on $50k, $75k & $100k?

Estimates use annual salary ÷ 4 as high-quarter wages, then South Carolina's $42–$326/week range for up to 20 weeks. These answer common searches like "South Carolina unemployment on $50,000 salary."

$50,000 salary

HQ ≈ $12,500

$326/wk

$6,520 over 20 weeks · at South Carolina max

$75,000 salary

HQ ≈ $18,750

$326/wk

$6,520 over 20 weeks · at South Carolina max

$100,000 salary

HQ ≈ $25,000

$326/wk

$6,520 over 20 weeks · at South Carolina max

At a $100,000 salary (~$1,923/week prior pay), South Carolina's $326 maximum replaces about 17% of weekly wages if you hit the cap — which is why an emergency fund still matters alongside UI.

How South Carolina unemployment benefits are calculated

South Carolina sets your weekly benefit amount (WBA) using wages from your base period — usually the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters. Many states use your high-quarter wages divided by 26, then capped between the state minimum and maximum. Official determinations may differ.

Estimated South Carolina formula

WBA = High-Quarter Wages ÷ 26

Clamped between $42 and $326 per week · up to 20 weeks ($6,520 max total)

Base period

Usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before you file in South Carolina.

High quarter

The single highest-earning quarter — the key input to the WBA estimate.

South Carolina limits

$42–$326/wk · up to 20 weeks of regular benefits.

South Carolina unemployment eligibility and how to file

To qualify in South Carolina, you generally must have lost work through no fault of your own, meet base-period earnings requirements, and be able and available to work while actively seeking a job. File with South Carolina's unemployment agency as soon as possible after separation.

Involuntary job loss

Laid off or position eliminated — generally not quitting voluntarily or termination for cause.

Base-period earnings

Must meet South Carolina minimum wage requirements during the base period (rules vary).

Able and available

Actively seeking work and available to start. Report any part-time earnings each week.

File immediately

File online with South Carolina's UI agency ASAP. A ~1-week waiting period is common.

South Carolina WBA by high-quarter wages

WBA = High-Quarter ÷ 26

$10k high quarter$326/wk

$15k high quarter$326/wk

$20k high quarter$326/wk

$25k high quarter$326/wk

$30k high quarter$326/wk

Green = at South Carolina max ($326). Orange = at min ($42).

South Carolina quick facts

Max weekly benefit: $326

Min weekly benefit: $42

Typical max duration: 20 weeks

Max total at full max WBA: $6,520

UI is taxable federal income

File as soon as you lose your job

FAQ

South Carolina unemployment FAQs

Max benefits, $50k–$100k salary estimates, filing, taxes, base period, and why estimates differ in South Carolina

In South Carolina, the maximum weekly unemployment benefit (WBA) is $326 and the minimum is $42. Regular benefits can last up to 20 weeks, so the maximum possible total is about $6,520 if you receive the full max weekly amount for every week. Your actual WBA depends on base-period wages and eligibility.

Using annual salary ÷ 4 as estimated high-quarter wages ($12,500), this calculator estimates about $326/week in South Carolina — roughly $6,520 over 20 weeks (at the South Carolina maximum). Enter your real high-quarter wages above for a tighter estimate.

At $75,000 (HQ ≈ $18,750), the estimate is about $326/week ($6,520 over 20 weeks) at the state max. At $100,000 (HQ ≈ $25,000), about $326/week ($6,520 over 20 weeks) at the state max. Higher salaries often hit South Carolina's $326 weekly cap.

South Carolina typically sets your weekly benefit amount from base-period wages. A common approximation is high-quarter wages ÷ 26, then capped between $42 and $326 per week. This South Carolina unemployment calculator applies that estimate instantly — your state agency’s official determination may use a different divisor, dependents, or alternate base period.

South Carolina generally allows up to 20 weeks of regular unemployment benefits, subject to eligibility, certification, and state law. Some durations can vary with the state unemployment rate. Extended or emergency federal programs (when active) can add weeks beyond the regular maximum.

File with South Carolina's unemployment insurance agency as soon as you become unemployed — most states accept online claims. Have your Social Security number, ID, recent employer names/addresses/dates/wages, and reason for separation ready. South Carolina will verify wages and set your official WBA; this page only provides an estimate.

Yes for federal income tax — UI is ordinary taxable income nationwide in 2026. You can often elect 10% federal withholding with Form W-4V. State income-tax treatment of UI varies; confirm whether South Carolina taxes unemployment benefits with your state tax agency. UI also increases MAGI and can affect ACA premium tax credits.

The base period is usually the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file. Your high quarter is the single highest-earning quarter in that period — the key input many states use for WBA. If recent wages are higher (raise or new job), ask whether South Carolina applies an Alternate Base Period (ABP) that includes more recent quarters.

This calculator uses a common high-quarter ÷ 26 approximation capped at South Carolina's published min/max ($42–$326/wk). South Carolina may use a different formula, dependency allowances, partial-week reductions, or waiting-week rules. Always rely on your claim determination from South Carolina's UI agency.

Max weekly benefits and duration vary widely. Open another state calculator, or view the South Carolina benefits profile and full state rankings.

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Disclaimer: This South Carolina unemployment calculator provides estimates only. South Carolina uses its own formula, eligibility rules, and base-period definition. Always verify with South Carolina's official unemployment insurance program. Benefit amounts and weeks can change.

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