NHES
The New Hampshire Employment Security (“NHES”) office is the gateway for all New Hampshire residents to file for unemployment compensation benefits. NHES offers an Internet-based application system to complete an unemployment application and begin the process towards receiving your benefits. As you begin the application process you will need to create a username and password. This information will allow you to log into the NHES website and file your claim.
NHES the estimates that it will take approximately 25 minutes to complete the unemployment application. Be sure to continue through all the steps at pages of the application until you receive confirmation number. If you’re interrupted during the application process the NHES website will automatically save your progress for 24 hours. Failure to log back in within this 24-hour time period rules old and start over with your appointment application. It is important to use the buttons in the application as you navigate through it instead of the buttons on your Internet browser. For example, do not click on the “back” button of your web browser. This could result in your application process being suddenly terminated you before you completely submitted it.
The timing of when you file for unemployment benefits through NHES is critical. Your claim for unemployment benefits becomes effective in the calendar week that you submit a completed application. The state of New Hampshire does have one exception to this rule, which is if you work part-time and have filed your unemployment application within three days of losing that job. Be sure to not file for unemployment benefits through NHES if you lost full-time employment until the week following the week you’ve lost your job.
From time to time NHES will send written correspondence to you after you’ve completed your application asking for clarification or for more information. It is critical that you promptly respond to these written requests in order to have your unemployment benefits application approved. The NHES online application is available 24 hours a day seven days a week. Additionally, if you have any questions about the unemployment application process or whether you are eligible for benefits you can also call the NHES office at 1-800-266-2252.
The amount of time it will take for NHES to process your unemployment claim varies depending on the amount of application volume they have received. Claims are handled on a first-come basis and it can take several weeks before you receive a response back from them.
The NHES website also has some valuable tools available to help you determine when you should file your unemployment claim, estimate the weekly benefit amount you will be entitled to receive if your claim application is approved and calculate the base period NHES will use to determine the weekly benefit amount. The maximum amount you can be paid in unemployment compensation is $427 per week and the minimum is $32. You can receive these payouts, without any unemployment benefit extensions, for up to 26 weeks, but, because of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, you may also be eligible for additional extensions of those payment amounts. Remember that the answer to the question of “is unemployment taxable?” is Yes! You will need to properly plan to pay taxes on the monies you receive.
