New Hampshire Unemployment Insurance

New Hampshire Unemployment Insurance (UI) provides temporary financial assistance to workers who are temporarily out of work through no fault of their own.

Each state sets its own guidelines for eligibility for UI benefits, but you usually qualify if you:

1. have lost a job through no fault of your own;
2. are unemployed or partially unemployed for reasons permissible under federal law;
3. are “able to work, available to work, and actively seeking work;” and
4. have earned at least a certain amount of money during a “base period” prior to becoming unemployed. In most states, this is usually the first 4 out of the last 5 completed calendar quarters prior to the time that your claim is filed.

According to New Hampshire Employment Security, to be eligible for benefits in New Hampshire, you must meet the following criteria:¹

1. You must have lost employment through no fault of your own.
2. You must have earned at least $1,400 each in 2 separate quarters during the base period (and at least $2,800 in total) — the first 12 months of the 15 months prior to filing a claim.
3. You must be unemployed or partially employed and earning less than your weekly unemployment insurance benefits.

As a condition of eligibility, you are also required to actively seek suitable employment each week that you are collecting benefits. Failure to do so will result in denial of benefits.

How much is NH unemployment benefits?

If you are eligible for unemployment benefits, you may receive a weekly payment amount between $32 and $427. The maximum length of New Hampshire unemployment benefits is 26 weeks.

How long do unemployment benefits last in New Hampshire?

A claimant in New Hampshire may receive benefits for a maximum of 26 weeks. Payment continues only for the weeks in which the claimant remains eligible and certifies, as required, that they are able to work, available for work and searching for it.

How do I file for unemployment online in NH?

Filing for unemployment compensation can be done either online  or by phone at (603) 271-7700, Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm EST.

New Hampshire Employment Security
Unemployment Assistance Hotline
(603) 271-7700