Customer Call Center

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). 

Fax: 919-857-1296

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.)

File New Claims Only

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 Certification

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.

Overpayment Inquiries 

If you have questions about overpayments, please use our Overpayment Question Form.

Employer Call Center

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).

Fax: 919-715-0780

Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Employer Tax Assistance

des.tax.customerservice@commerce.nc.gov

UI Sides Employer Support & Inquiry

des.tax.customerservice@commerce.nc.gov

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:

• If you are a claimant, please go online using your claimant portal or contact the Customer Call Center at 888-737-0259.
• If you are an employer, please go online using your employer portal or contact the Employer Call Center at 866-278-3822.

M. Antwon Keith, Assistant Secretary

assistantsecretary@nccommerce.com

Other DES Employees

DES Employee Directory

DES Mailing Address:

DES Central Office Location:

Please note that this is a secure facility. Customers needing assistance with their unemployment insurance claim should contact us via phone or email only.