The Beaufort County Library has partnered with the SC Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW) to offer unemployment insurance service Connection Points to the community, as the SC DEW begins to fully move most of the unemployment insurance registrations and weekly filing to a self-service online system. The SC DEW continues to streamline their services starting this month.

The Connection Points will be at the five Beaufort County Library branches: Hilton Head, Bluffton, Beaufort, Lobeco, and St. Helena. Librarians can assist customers with the basics of accessing DEW’s “MyBenefits” portal. (The online portal allows customers to file unemployment claims and submit weekly claims.) Claimants that do not have the computer skills necessary can file over the phone 1.866.831.1724 (toll free). Claimants should continue to go to the Beaufort SC Works Center for reemployment services and workshops, as normal.

“The Connection Points offer South Carolinians the opportunity to take advantage of unemployment services in familiar, convenient locations within their own communities,” said Erica Von Nessen, DEW assistant executive director for unemployment insurance. “We are excited about working together to provide these connection points that maximize technology in order to best assist our customers access the resources they need.”

The Connection Points will be available during each branch library’s operating hours.

Along with computer access, the Connection Points will include printed resources and online tutorials to assist individuals with file claims and search for jobs. Customers who need further assistance with unemployment insurance services may speak with a DEW claims representative by calling TelClaim at 1-866-831-1724 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays.

DEW and its partners are now providing re-employment and unemployment services to all 46 counties through a technology-enhanced approach including 13 regional comprehensive SC Works centers as well as satellite centers and community Connection Points.

For more information on DEW connection points and to see a list of locations, visit dew.sc.gov/directory.