NCWorks is Here for You

During this time of uncertainty, the Northeastern Workforce Development Board and its NCWorks Career Centers are here to help individuals and businesses facing layoff situations.

The NCWorks Career Centers are currently to the public and will continue to provide in person and virtual services to the citizens of Northeastern, NC.  Click here for contact information for our career centers in the Northeast.

It’s important to note that NCWorks Career Centers are not actually “unemployment offices,” and we do not process Unemployment Insurance claims (that is a responsibility of the Division of Employment Security-DES). We do help unemployed jobseekers to find new jobs. Currently, you do not need to visit a Career Center to file an unemployment insurance claim.

Please view our video that addresses many common questions about unemployment – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIaq0wj0xBI&feature=youtu.be

 

Individual Information

How do I File for Unemployment?

For the most recent information on Unemployment Insurance (including who could be eligible to receive unemployment insurance), please look at this link.

Due to high call volumes, the fastest and most efficient way to file a new unemployment claim is to file online at des.nc.gov. You will need your social security # and a valid email address.

If you need help, call our NCWorks Career Centers (contact information here). You can also access this guide which contains guidance, screenshots and a FAQ section.

*Please note: As an individual, your eligibility, exact amount of benefits, and duration period of those benefits cannot be determined until after you file and submit your claim.

Don’t have internet access?

  • The NCWorks Career Centers throughout the region have computers available to access WiFi. If you are in an area where a NCWorks Career Center is not readily accessible, and you need to access WiFi, here are some locations that you can try to use across NWDB’s 10 counties. 
  • If you don’t have access to a computer, you may file over the phone by calling 888-737-0259. 

 

Looking for another job?

There are businesses still hiring, check www.NCWorks.gov for openings

 

Business Information:

Businesses that have questions about unemployment should call 866-278-3822.

For businesses that may be looking at layoffs or closing, this link has information on how/when to file a WARN notice. The WARN Advisor is an interactive online tool provided by the US Department of Labor for businesses to determine if they’re covered by WARN.

For the most recent information on Unemployment Insurance (including what businesses should know about unemployment), please look at this link. 

Additional information:

  •  Businesses should complete the Request for Separation Information in a timely manner, so their employees may immediately begin to receive benefits.
  • Employers do not have to contact DES nor respond to the NCUI 551 (Notice of Potential Charges) to receive non-charging for COVID-19 related claims.  DES will non-charge automatically.
  •  It is best for employers looking to file temporary layoffs to encourage their employees to file for themselves and report any earnings they may have when doing their weekly certification.
  • If you have an employee working intermittently i.e., one week on and one week off, while filing for UI, the employee must report their gross earnings for the week in which they did the work not when paid.
  • Independent contractors and self-employed workers are typically not covered. In order to be eligible, workers must have held a job considered covered employment.
  • If you are a business owner and paid unemployment insurance taxes on your own wages, you may be eligible to receive unemployment benefits.
  • In accordance with Governor Cooper’s Executive Order No. 118, the Department of Commerce Division of Employment Security has been directed not to charge employers’ accounts for benefits paid to individuals for reasons related to COVID-19.

The Economic Development Partnership of NC also has information for businesses in response to the pandemic.

SBA Assistance Resources

Speak directly with a business counselor by contacting our local Small Business, Technology Development Center now! There are many resources available through the SBTDC.

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in modified and additional SBA resources to help our small businesses, small aquacultural businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and/or most private nonprofit organizations.

Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) The SBA has approved the North Carolina Governor’s request for a disaster declaration, and you may begin the application process.  The US Small Business Administration’s (SBA) online application for Economic Injury Loan offers up to $2 million in assistance and can provide vital economic support to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing.  These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact.  Businesses are encouraged to apply online at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/  or call the SBA at 1-800-659-2955.

Small Business Loans

For all:

NC 2-1-1 is an information and referral service that families and individuals can call to obtain free and confidential information on health and human services resources within their community. NC 2-1-1 operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year and resources are available in most languages. 

Check back often as this website will be updated as information becomes available