In North Carolina, the minimum benefit is $15 per week, and the maximum benefit is $350 per week.
Pandemic Unemployment Benefits Have Expired
Although additional money -- $300 extra per week -- was available under the federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation program, that program expired on September 6, 2021. For weeks of unemployment starting on September 6 or later, these extra benefits will no longer be paid.
A different federal program -- Pandemic Unemployment Assistance -- made benefits available temporarily to workers who were not eligible for traditional unemployment benefits, including freelancers, gig workers, and other contractors. That program also expired on September 6, 2021.
How North Carolina Determines Benefit Amounts
Each state determines how much it will pay in unemployment benefits. Generally, the weekly benefit amount is some fraction or percentage of your earnings in the base period or your highest paid quarter of the base period.
In North Carolina, you can calculate your weekly benefit by adding up your wages in the last two quarters of the base period and dividing that amount by 52. If your weekly benefit amount is less than $15, you won't receive any benefits.
To make sure these amounts are still current when you apply for benefits, contact the North Carolina Department of Commerce: Division of Employment Security.