File for Unemployment in New Hampshire

You can file for unemployment by completing your initial claim application online at New Hampshire’s Unemployment Insurance Security website. You must use this system to file claims.

Unemployment Application and Initial Claim

File Your Unemployment Application and Initial Claim Process

Filing a claim with NHES is a two-step process. To begin this process, you must register for an account. Registration requires the following information:

• Full name
• Social Security Number
• Date of birth
• Email address

You will need to follow these steps to complete registration:

1. Visit https://nhuis.nh.gov/claimant/login
2. Under “Login”, choose your location from the drop-down menu and click “Register to create a new account”.
3. Provide your name, Social Security Number, and date of birth. Click “next”.
4. Provide login credentials. Click “next”.
5. Provide answers to a set of security questions.

Once you’re registered, you must submit an initial claim application through New Hampshire’s Unemployment Insurance System (NHUIS). This is not an application to receive benefits. This initial claim application only informs the NHES that an unemployment claim is forthcoming. It must be made within three days of the claimant’s last day of work.

To file a new claim, follow these steps:

1. From your NHES dashboard, click “File a New Claim for Unemployment Benefits”.
2. Answer all the questions listed on each page of the application.
3. List all your employers from the 18 months before applying for unemployment benefits and compensation.
4. List all of your employment including employment in Canada, other states, self-employment, and contract work.

After submitting your initial claim application, you can can then file a continued claim.

Documents and Information Needed During Filing

Before filing, claimants should have the following forms prepared and ready:

• Social Security card or number
• Home and mailing address(es)
• Telephone number
• Email address

The following forms are required for certain claimants:

• Alien Registration Number for non-citizens
• Form SF-8 for employees who worked for the federal government in the year leading up to the claim
• Military form DD-214, member 4 copy, for employees who were in the military in the year leading up to the claim

Claim Weekly Benefits

To claim weekly benefits, you must submit a claim online at New Hampshire’s Unemployment Insurance Security website. You must file weekly for benefits. Each week, you will be asked the same questions. Here, you’ll report your job search activities, job offers, and employer contacts. This information is used to demonstrate that you are still in the position you were when you applied for unemployment compensation.

How to Claim Weekly Benefits

After submitting your initial claim application, you must then file a continued claim. The first continued claim must be made during the first week of unemployment compensation. A continued claim is a claim you submit each week you would like to receive unemployment compensation. You cannot submit a continued claim for a week until that week is over. A week runs from Sunday to Saturday. You have 7 days after the week you would like to claim compensation to submit a continued claim online.

Your continued claim will include a list of questions. You will also need to provide all work search contacts for the week for which you are seeking unemployment compensation.

You must file your first continued claim between Sunday and Saturday in the same calendar week your claim was opened. If you do not wish to file for compensation the first week, you will have to submit another initial claim just before the week you would like to start receiving compensation.

Your first payable week for your initial unemployment claim will not be paid. This first week is considered a waiting week. This waiting week is determined by the agency and does not reduce the number of weeks you can draw benefits.

Claim Denials or Discrepancies

When you apply for unemployment benefits, your work history will be reviewed. During this review, the unemployment office will try to determine if the 12-month work history you provided has any discrepancies. Discrepancies can exclude you from receiving benefits, so it’s important to provide honest and accurate information.

Discrepancies include anything from incorrect employment dates, as well as inaccurate reports or details that misrepresent your loss of job or reduction in hours. These can change or disqualify you from receiving unemployment benefits. If discrepancies are detected, your application will be sent for review. This could delay your benefits, disqualify you from receiving compensation, or result in legal action.

If you misrepresent your employment situation or provide incomplete information, this is fraud and is subject to legal action. You may have to repay the compensation you received for the weeks affected. You may also be required to pay a 20% penalty. If your fraud is determined to be criminal in nature, you could be charged with a Class A misdemeanor, Class B felony, or Class A felony.

If you believe your accurate claim has been wrongfully denied, you can appeal the claim denial and receive a hearing.

Appeals Process for Denied Claims

If you would like to appeal a denied claim, you must complete a Request for Appeal form. This must be done within 14 days of the denied claim. You must then submit this form either in person, online, or by mail. This form should include:

• Your full name
• The last four digits of your Social Security Number
• Your contact information, including address and phone number
• A copy of your determination notice
• The reason for your appeal

After submitting your appeal, you will receive a written confirmation. A hearing date and time will be selected. The hearing may be by phone or in person. Before the hearing, you are expected to file continued claims on time and maintain eligibility.

A decision won’t be made on the day of the hearing, but you should expect to receive a written decision within 14 days.

Office of Appeals Contact Information

You can submit an appeal by mail.

Mailing Address

Attn: Appeal Tribunal Unit

NH Employment Security

PO Box 2009

Concord, NH 03302-2009

 

You can also contact the Office of Appeals by phone, fax, or email to speak to a representative.

 

General Information

Telephone: (603) 223-6140

Fax: (603) 223 - 6141