Impacted by the coronavirus? How to file for unemployment in N.C.

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - Gov. Roy Cooper issued an Executive Order Tuesday in response to the coronavirus pandemic that limits bars and restaurants to takeout and delivery orders only. No one is allowed to eat inside these establishments.

Many people in the service and hospitality industries, among others, have lost their jobs during this tumultuous time.

“The reality is, people will be losing jobs and businesses have lost customers,” Governor Cooper said.

That being said, Cooper’s executive order does the following:

• removes the one-week waiting period to apply for unemployment benefits for those workers who lose their jobs;
• removes the requirement that a person must look for another job during this time when so many potential employers are closed and social distancing guidelines are in effect
• allows employees who lose their jobs or, in certain cases have their hours reduced due to COVID-19 issues, to apply for unemployment benefits
• waives the requirement that part of the application process be in person
• directs that these unemployment losses won’t be counted against employers

Before you begin to file your claim, make sure you have the following information available:

• Your Social Security Number.
• Details from your most recent employer about separation, vacation or severance pay you received, will receive, or are entitled to receive.
• Details regarding any retirement pay (gross monthly amount of pay along with proof)
• Your bank routing number and account number if you would like unemployment payments directly deposited into your bank account. If you do not select direct deposit, payment will be placed on a state issued debit card.
• Your work history for the past two years (employer name as it appears on your check stub, employer’s payroll and physical addresses, telephone number, employment dates, rate of pay and reason for separation from each employer)

These changes are to benefit individuals who, as a result of the coronavirus, become unemployed, have had their hours reduced or are prevented from working due to a medical condition caused by the virus.

Governor Cooper’s order states affected citizens will be eligible for unemployment benefits to the maximum extent permitted by federal law

Before you apply, be sure to click here for more details.

You can apply for benefits online 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you need help, contact the Customer Call Center at 888-737-0259, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

You must create an online account to file an application for Unemployment Insurance online.

Once your online account is activated, you may Sign In to begin your application for unemployment insurance.

In addition to loosened requirements, the Department of Commerce has postponed all mandatory, in-person contact with individuals seeking unemployment benefits including employability assessment interviews.

This will be in place for as long as North Carolina remains under a state of emergency.

Here’s where you can submit an application.

NC Department of Commerce spokesperson Larry Parker said web servers were updated Wednesday night to handle increased web traffic.

“This update should help those who may have experienced any issues on Wednesday while trying to file,” he said.

Parker also said they are working on extending hours to accommodate more calls.

Applications for unemployment benefits surged by 70,000 last week as the impact of the virus begins to be felt in labor market.

Applications for jobless benefits are surging in some states as coronavirus concerns shake the U.S. economy.

Copyright 2020 WECT. All rights reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.