New Hampshire Unemployment

The NHES is also tasked with managing every unemployment claim that passes through its offices. As a result, the state’s UI program has strict requirements and enrollment procedures that petitioners must follow. The sections that follow will explain the New Hampshire eligibility for unemploymentrequirements, as well as what types of information candidates must include in their applications. Furthermore, additional portions will outline how applicants may prepare for their UC interviews and how they can file appeals if the NHES denies their claims.

What is unemployment in New Hampshire?

New Hampshire unemployment insurance is a program that beneficiaries may temporarily enroll in if they meet specific requirements. These stipulations relate to earned income, work availability and why candidates are unemployed. Since the purpose of this unemployment program is not to serve as a permanent solution to job loss, acceptees are obligated to search for gainful employment while they receive unemployment insurance benefits.

When petitioners file an unemployment claim, it is valid for one calendar year. However, this does not indicate that enrollees are eligible to receive UC benefits for a full year. This is standard throughout the country. Instead, each state is responsible for imposing a maximum number of weeks during that year in which enrollees may receive benefits. In NH, UI acceptees may only be paid program funds for a maximum of 26 weeks during a single calendar year. Furthermore, the state determines a minimum weekly benefit amount (WBA) and maximum benefit amount (MBA) that awardees may receive. As a result, New Hampshire workers who file a successful UI claim will receive between $32 and $427 when they enroll in benefits.

What are the requirements to get unemployment in New Hampshire?

Eligibility for unemployment in New Hampshire is based on two primary factors: monetary and non-monetary acceptability. This monetary requirement addresses how much income petitioners earned during their base periods. Base periods consist of the first four of the last five calendar quarters that have finished before applicants file their claims. Specifically, the financial qualifications for unemployment require that, throughout their base periods, petitioners:

• Had covered employment in New Hampshire. This means that candidates worked for employers who paid UC taxes. Furthermore, candidates who worked in different states may pool together their incomes they earned in various locations throughout their base periods to meet the program’s requirements.
• Earned $2,800 or more throughout their base periods. In order to qualify for UC, petitioners must have earned at least this amount of money throughout their base period quarters.
• Earned at least $1,400 in at least two of their four base period quarters. This demonstrates employment distribution.

Unemployment insurance eligibility also takes into account factors that do not relate to financial readiness. Specifically, petitioners wondering who qualifies for unemployment must remember they are obligated to meet prerequisites that relate to the following themes:

• Underemployed or unemployed In order to qualify for UC, petitioners must be either completely unemployed or working fewer hours than usual. In either situation, claimants must be in these situations by no fault of their own. This means candidates may not have requested their schedule changes, nor may they have quit their jobs for personal reasons. Similarly, UI candidates may not have been fired from their previous positions due to workplace misconduct.
• Work availability – Applicants must demonstrate they have full work availability. This means UC recipients may not have alternative obligations that prevent them from working standard business hours. Candidates who are unable to work due to conflicting class schedules, home care responsibilities or because they do not have reliable transportation may not receive UI.
• Physical and mental ability – Candidates who are unable to work because of physical and mental disabilities may not qualify for UC. Since this program is only available to enrollees for a short period of time, it is not suited for applicants who are unable to work for prolonged periods of time.

How can I sign up for unemployment in New Hampshire?

Petitioners must know how to apply for unemployment online or in person. These are the two ways claimants may apply for unemployment benefits. When applicants file for unemployment, they must include the following information:

• Contact information – Applicants must submit their email addresses, phone numbers and mailing and physical addresses.
• Citizenship and identifying information – United States citizens need to provide their Social Security Numbers with their applications. On the other hand, petitioners who were born abroad must include their alien registration numbers.
• Separation payment – Enrollees are required to report any severance pay they receive when they leave their jobs. This includes unused holiday, vacation or sick time applicants are paid for, as well as any retirement money they may receive.
• Case-by-case information: Petitioners who meet specific requirements may need to submit additional information when applying for UC. For example, former military personnel who served within the past year must submit the unedited Member-4 copy of DD form 214. Similarly, federal employees who worked for the government within the past year need to submit their SF-8.

How do I prepare for the unemployment insurance interview in New Hampshire?

In many cases, UC applicants will need to prepare for the unemployment insurance interview in New Hampshire. The NHES may require these conversations for a variety of reasons. However, one of the most common reasons the department may need to conduct an unemployment phone interview is to discuss why claimants are no longer employed. As a result, many of the questions asked during the unemployment interview relate to how and why petitioners were terminated from their previous positions.

There are some instances in which the NHES will require an unemployment interview with the employer who is related to the petitioners’ claims. However, the NHES will not conduct these interviews simultaneously with the candidates’ interviews. In order to prepare for these conversations, petitioners should be sure to gather information beforehand that supports their claims. If applicants say during the UC phone interview that they attempted to work with their human resources officers to resolve their workplace issues, providing copies of these meeting notes would be helpful. Similarly, claimants who believe their employers broke specific contractual agreements should have a copy of the document ready for the interview.

How do I claim unemployment benefits in New Hampshire?

In order to claim unemployment benefits in New Hampshire, petitioners must file requests each week. By completing this regular certification process, applicants attest that they still qualify to receive UC benefits each week they are given funding. In order to maintain an unemployment benefits claim, candidates must report:

• Whether or not they were offered any jobs during the weeks they are claiming benefits. Similarly, petitioners are required to specify if they turned down any job offers.
• If they participate in NH Employment Security programs. These requirements are delegated to specific enrollees. UC beneficiaries who are selected are obligated to participate in these programs.
• Any income they earned during the weeks they are claiming. Acceptees are required to disclose any gross income they earned throughout the week. Furthermore, candidates must also report any reimbursement they received that was not monetary, such as room and board.
• Work search efforts and any results that came from their contacts. It is imperative that all beneficiaries maintain accurate and detailed records relating to their reemployment search activities. Candidates must keep track of who they contacted, what organization they applied to, how they connected with the recruiter and the dates when they reached out.

What do I do if I am denied unemployment benefits in New Hampshire?

Petitioners who are denied unemployment in New Hampshire will be notified via a NHES Determination of Unemployment Compensation. In order to file an appeal, candidates submit a written request within 14 days. There is no fee associated with filing an unemployment denial appeal. However, applicants must be sure to submit their requests within two weeks or they may lose the opportunity to request redeterminations. Similarly, employers also have the opportunity to appeal the NHES’ decisions if they disagree with the department’s assessments. Parties may submit appeals:

• Online.
• Via fax.
• Through the mail.

Furthermore, there is specific information applicants must provide when filing a UC denial appeal. In order to submit a complete petition, candidates must include:

• Identifying information If employers are appealing the NHES’ decisions, they must provide their company names and the names of whoever are filing the petitions. In addition, appeals must include the claimants’ names and the final four digits of their Social Security Numbers.
• Contact information – The parties filing these requests for reconsideration must include their contact information. This includes telephone numbers, email and physical or mailing addresses.
• Determination information – Petitioning parties should do their best to include a copy of the determination notices they are appealing along with their requests for reconsideration. However, if this is not possible, parties may instead submit the dates the NHES issued their determinations and the documents’ corresponding identification numbers.
• Reasons for appeal – Applicants must outline why they are electing to appeal their initial determinations.

The Appeal Tribunal receives all denied unemployment benefits appeals throughout the state. Furthermore, the Appeal Tribunal Chairman is responsible for hearing all petitions and making redeterminations based on evidence and testimonies that each party may provide. In addition, the denied UI appeal provides candidates and their former employers with the opportunity to provide additional information they may not have been able to submit during their preliminary evaluations. For example, either party may elect to submit additional documentation or have witness provide statements. These are powerful tools that can help substantiate the petitioners’ claims.

An unemployment denial appeal hearing typically takes place in a NHES office. It is imperative that the appellants, the individuals who requests the appeals, be present for these hearings. Failing to do so may result in the petitions being dismissed. After the hearing conclude, the Chairmen will issue their written determination within one or two weeks. If either party disagrees with the Chairmen’s decisions, they may file additional appeals to the Commissioner.

How can I apply for a federal unemployment extension in New Hampshire?

A federal unemployment extension is either an initiative that allows UC beneficiaries in a defined area to receive program benefits beyond their state’s maximum limit. Congress is responsible for authorizing an unemployment benefits extension, and these additions are offered on either a national or state-by-state basis. Regardless, an unemployment extension in New Hampshire or in anywhere else in the country is not common. This expansion is only available in extreme circumstances when a substantially greater number of workers are unemployed than usual. However, enrollees need not worry about contacting the NHES regarding their eligibility. When a UC extension will notify all qualified beneficiaries and provide them with information regarding next steps.

How do I contact the New Hampshire unemployment office?

The New Hampshire unemployment office is a resource individuals may contact with any program questions they may have. This UI office operates locations throughout the state, and most of its branches are located in major cities. Employers and applicants have the option of calling these offices over the phone. However, if they are near an unemployment office, petitioners and their former supervisors may also ask their questions in-person. The NHES office in Concord is located at:

45 S Fruit Street

Concord, New Hampshire 03301

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How do I apply for unemployment benefits in New Hampshire?

In the state of New Hampshire, there are several ways to apply for unemployment insurance. The simplest way to apply is online by visiting nhuis.nh.gov/claimant/login. You can also visit one of your local New Hampshire Employment Security offices or call 1-800-266-2252, Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm.

When should I apply for benefits?

It is best that you apply for unemployment benefits as soon as possible. The state of New Hampshire does not recognize the day you became unemployed as being significant when it comes to collecting your benefits. Your actual claim becomes effective on the Sunday of the week it is opened.

When will start to receive my unemployment benefits?

After your initial claim is processed n New Hampshire, you can expect to receive your first benefits payment within 30 days. If there is a problem processing your claim, you should be contacted by an agent within the same time frame.

What happens when my benefits run out?

There may be other unemployment compensation programs available to you once your regular benefits run out. The New Hampshire Employment Security (NHES) department encourages you to check their website frequently for program updates.