Individuals and claimants should contact the Customer Call Center with questions regarding benefits and assistance with unemployment insurance claims, sign in or password resets.
Customer Call Center: 888-737-0259 (Do not call if you are an employer. This is for claimants only).
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Fraud Hotline: 919-701-3543 (Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
The fastest and most efficient way to apply for unemployment benefits is to visit our website at des.nc.gov. If you have any questions about filing a claim for unemployment benefits, or to inquire about an existing claim application, you can contact our Customer Call Center at 888-737-0259.
Weekly certifications (or weekly claim for benefits) must be filed online.
If you don’t have access to a computer, you can contact our customer call center by calling 1-888-737-0259.
If you have questions about overpayments, please use our Overpayment Question Form.
Employers should contact the Employer Call Center with questions or assistance regarding taxes, List of Charges/Potential Charges, sign in and password resets.
Phone (Toll Free): 866-278-3822 (This is for employers only. Individuals who have claim questions should contact the Customer Call Center at 888-737-0259).
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Customers who have general questions about filing an appeal should contact the Customer Call Center or Employer Call Center.
Appeals must be filed online through the DES online benefits system or submitted to DES in writing. Verbal appeals will not be accepted.
If you’ve received your determination and you wish to appeal, information about your appeal rights can be found on that documentation.
Media, legislators, and other government agencies needing information about DES and the unemployment insurance program in North Carolina should contact the Communications Office by email at: des.pio@nccommerce.com.
Please note: This email address is for the media, legislators and other government agencies needing information. While the Communications Office can assist individuals and employers, the Customer and Employer Call Center(s) have dedicated staff to assist with specific questions.
For faster, direct service: