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SC Department of Employment & Workforce


 

 


SCBOS does not reset DEW pin numbers, but we can point you in the right direction: 
To reset your DEW pin, please contact 803-737-2400 and select options 3, 3 and 2. 
Already have an account with DEW and looking to get into the new system to update your account, file wage reports or pay taxes? To view your current account information in the new system, click here to authenticate.
Just getting started and need to know where to register for Unemployment Insurance? To register, head over to SUITS
 
Information about the SUITS system is available here
For SUITS assistance, contact DEW at 803-737-2400, option 3, option 3, or email suits@dew.sc.gov.
Information about the Employer Bridge to Benefits system is available here
For Benefits assistance, contact DEW at 803-737-2400, option 3 or email uitax@dew.sc.gov.



Contact SCDEW 
1550 Gadsden Street 
Columbia, SC 29202
Main 803-737-2400
Toll Free 866-831-1724
 
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 995
Columbia, SC 29202

The South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW) oversees the registration and collection of the Unemployment Insurance Tax for South Carolina. Most employers, with the exception of agricultural and domestic employers, and non-profit organizations, are considered liable under the SC Employment Security Law if the following requirements are met:


    • Employer has at least one employee in covered employment for some portion of a day in each of (20) different weeks within either the current or the preceding calendar year; 

OR

    • Employer has paid wages of $1500 or more to employees in covered employment in any calendar quarter within either the current or the preceding calendar year.
    • Employer acquires all or a portion of another liable business. You can find more information about which employers are liable for Unemployment Insurance tax at the SC DEW web site.
NEW SUITS SYSTEM IS AVAILABLE FOR QUARTERLY FILINGS

SCDEW's NEW State Unemployment Insurance Tax System (SUITS) is now available to submit quarterly wage reports and pay outstanding balances that were previously filed on SCBOS. You can also apply for the Employer ID# (previously known as the unemployment account number) through SUITS. Information about the new SUITS system is available here


For assistance, contact DEW at 803-737-2400, option 3, option 3, or email suits@dew.sc.gov.

 

 

SCBOS and the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW) are teaming up to help employers understand the impacts of unemployment abuse and misuse.

Every time a case of UI fraud is stopped, you, the employer, save money. Even by verifying legitimate lay-offs and reporting wages paid, you are helping DEW to lower UI costs to employers.

To report UI fraud click here

DEW Rates
Many filers have noticed recently that their tax rate has changed and are asking why.

Recently, after the passing of new legislation, the SC Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW) started using a new 20-tier benefit ratio ranking system. Some employers have been assigned to Tax Rate Class 1 which has a base rate of 0.0% which means the contributions assessment due is 0.00 and are subject to the contingency and interest surcharge assessment calculated at 0.06%. This change in rate calculation usually equals to an amount due of $0—which seems to be an error and may lead to confusion.

Please be assured that the rate assessments and calculations are accurate; however, if you think that your calculated rates are incorrect; you should contact SCDEW at 803-737-2400 or email rateinfo@dew.sc.gov

Palmetto state businesses can now better manage their unemployment insurance costs thanks to a new online web portal the SC Dept. of Employment and Workforce (DEW) recently launched.

The new web portal allows employers to go online to protest charges of their quarterly benefit charge statement. When employers receive their charge statements in the mail, they will be able to submit electronic protests of charges using the portal. All benefit charge protests must be received within 30 days of the mailing of the charge statements.

The portal can be accessed at dew.sc.gov under "Employer Benefit Charge Protests" and is designed to allow for quicker response times to protests. Employers should use their already assigned unemployment insurance account numbers to log in to the system. The secure, online portal asks the reason for protest, claimant information and employer contact information.

In January 2011, legislation allowed the DEW to implement a new benefit ratio system to calculate an employer's tax class and tax rate.

"We are working to streamline services, eliminate duplication and increase efficiency; therefore, we are encouraging employers to review their quarterly charge statements to ensure no errors have been made," said Dr. Erica Von Nessen, assistant executive director for Unemployment Insurance. "If there are errors, however, we are confident this new web portal will allow for faster and easier processing thereby assisting businesses with helping to keep unemployment insurance costs down."

The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) provides businesses a tax credit for hiring individuals with barriers to employment. The program enables targeted employees to move from economic dependency into self-sufficiency as they earn a steady income and become contributing taxpayers. Participating businesses are compensated by receiving a reduction in their federal income tax liability as a result of the tax credit. Maximum tax credits range from $2,400 to $9,600 depending upon the qualified employee’s targeted group.

Achieving the desired results is guaranteed through the mutual cooperation with our clients. We work closely together with our clients to break down overarching goals to the individual level, in order for all employees to see how they contribute and thereby carry responsibility.

If you are a business owner you could benefit from hiring within the following groups:

  • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipient
  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipient
  • Columbia/Sumter Empowerment Zone (EZ)
  • Marlboro County Rural Renewal Community (RRC) resident
  • Vocational Rehabilitation or Ticket-to-Work Participant
  • Recently released Ex-felon Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipient
  • Disabled veteran who within in the last year was discharged or unemployed for 6+ months
  • Unemployed Veteran
  • Veteran receiving SNAP

This federally-funded program is administered by the SC Department of Employment and Workforce (SCDEW). SCDEW must certify the Work Opportunity Tax Credits before employers can claim them on their federal tax return. Requests must be postmarked within 28 days of the employee start date. Only those requests indicating potential target group eligibility should be mailed in.

If you would like more information regarding WOTC and certification, email wotctaxcredit@dew.sc.gov

The question is not whether we will achieve the identified results targets – the question is whether your organization will.

Achieving the desired results is guaranteed through the mutual cooperation with our clients. We work closely together with our clients to break down overarching goals to the individual level, in order for all employees to see how they contribute and thereby carry responsibility.