Unemployment Benefits in New Hampshire
State-specific overview · Employment Law
New Hampshire requires $2,000 in total wages during the base period to qualify for unemployment benefits.
How New Hampshire treats Unemployment Benefits
New Hampshire's base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before filing a claim. The state offers benefits for up to 26 weeks, with the weekly benefit amount equal to 1/26 of the highest quarter's wages, capped at a maximum amount. New Hampshire requires that claimants be able and available to work and actively seeking employment to maintain eligibility. The state also has specific disqualifications for misconduct and voluntary separation without good cause.
The general definition of Unemployment Benefits
Temporary income payments to workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own.
Unemployment benefits are payments provided by the government to workers who have lost their jobs involuntarily and meet certain eligibility requirements. These benefits are funded by taxes that employers pay into a state unemployment insurance fund. To qualify, a worker typically must have been employed for a minimum period, have lost the job without quitting, and not have been fired for misconduct. Benefits are usually a percentage of the worker's prior wages and last for a limited time, often 26 weeks. Workers must actively search for new employment to continue receiving benefits.
Read the full Unemployment Benefits entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in New Hampshire.