South Carolinians will soon have a new way to access reemployment and Unemployment Insurance (UI) services in their local areas through regional SC Works centers, around-the-clock self-service offerings and local access points.
The SC Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW) announced an upgraded, technology-focused service delivery method.
Statewide, the new service delivery system will include 12 comprehensive SC Works centers that feature intensive employment services and assistance with filing UI claims online.
The closest one to Dillon County is in Florence at 1558 West Evans Street.
While UI claims will no longer be taken by representatives at SC Works centers, staff at the 12 comprehensive centers will be able to offer assistance with online filing.
DEW is also in the process of partnering with libraries, technical colleges, and various other community organizations in all 46 counties to provide technology-enhanced connection points across the state. At these connection points, customers can file for UI benefits online, conduct job searches and submit resumes and job orders.
“Ultimately, these changes enable our customers to take advantage of services more quickly, efficiently and at times most convenient to them,” Finan said.
“DEW and our partners worked together to develop an updated service delivery model that maximizes technology in order to best assist South Carolinians find the right job or employee.”
Employment services—ranging from resume writing and job searching to candidate recruiting—will be delivered to all 46 counties through a variety of methods including mobile teams, satellite locations and SC Works Online Services (jobs.scworks.org).
Assistance with UI claims will be delivered through the online MyBenefits portal (mybenefits.dew.sc.gov), the toll-free TelClaim line (1.866.831.1724) and a team of UI specialists who will work with customers via phone to resolve any claim issues. A variety of enhanced self-service UI offerings include:
· Step-by-step video tutorials illustrating the MyBenefits filing process;
· All claimant reference materials available for download via MyBenefits and dew.sc.gov;
· Upgraded features on MyBenefits including changing address, phone number, tax withholding information, and payment method;
· Filing initial claims on MyBenefits;
· Filing standard weekly claims and pay order card claims on MyBenefits or TelClaim;
· Checking payment status on MyBenefits and TelClaim;
· Filing an appeal online at dew.sc.gov/appeals will be available soon.
DEW anticipates the new service model to take effect by July and estimates the changes to impact approximately 100 positions across the state. Additionally, the federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program is set to expire at the end of December. Unless EUC is reauthorized by Congress, approximately 50 positions will be reduced at that time due to that workload ending.
