Unemployment Extension Application

Apply for Unemployment Benefits Extension Beginning May 22

Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation program is available for people who have exhausted state unemployment benefits

RALEIGH — Beginning Friday, May 22, North Carolinians who have exhausted their state unemployment insurance benefits can apply for an extension of benefits through the federal Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation program (PEUC).

PEUC provides up to 13 weeks of additional assistance for people who exhausted their 12 weeks of state unemployment insurance benefits on or after July 6, 2019. It is available for benefit weeks ending Saturdays from April 4 to Dec. 26, 2020.

For people applying for PEUC:

• You must file a separate claim for PEUC to receive these benefits. You will not automatically receive PEUC when you exhaust regular state unemployment insurance benefits.
• Sign into your online account at des.nc.gov and click on the ‘Apply for Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation’ link to apply. If you are not eligible for PEUC, you will not see the application link in your online account.

For weeks ending April 4 through July 25, people receiving PEUC will be paid an additional $600 each week in Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC). FPUC does not require a separate application.

Benefits will be paid retroactively to the first week a person became eligible to receive those benefits.

PEUC is the third program of the federal CARES Act implemented by the Division of Employment Security. DES began making Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation payments on April 15 and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance payments on April 25.

More information and FAQs about PEUC can be found at des.nc.gov. For help filing a claim for PEUC, call the Customer Call Center at 888-737-0259.

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