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New Hampshire unemployment: what to file, what you will receive, and what comes next.

New Hampshire unemployment is run by New Hampshire Employment Security (NHES). If you were laid off through no fault of your own, you almost certainly qualify. The benefit is funded by employer payroll taxes, not by your past paychecks — so receiving it is not 'taking' anything from anyone, and it does not reduce future Social Security or any other program. File the same week you are laid off. New Hampshire does not impose a one-week unpaid waiting period in most cases, but processing your first payment still typically takes two to three weeks. This page is for general guidance only and is not legal or financial advice.

The key numbers

The numbers you can expect.

Weekly amount
Up to roughly $427 per week — confirm the current figure with NHES, as New Hampshire reviews the maximum periodically
Duration
Up to 26 weeks of regular state benefits in most cases
Waiting period
No unpaid waiting week in most cases

How to file

The filing order.

  1. 01

    Gather your information before you start

    You will need your driver's license or state ID, your Social Security number, the names and addresses of all employers from the last 18 months, your last day of work, and the reason for separation.

  2. 02

    Create an account on NHUIS

    NHUIS is the state's online unemployment system at nhuis.nh.gov. Register, verify your identity, then start a new claim. Have your direct-deposit information ready.

  3. 03

    File your initial claim

    The full claim takes about 30 to 45 minutes. Be precise on dates and the reason for separation — most delays come from inconsistent dates between your application and what your former employer reports to the state.

  4. 04

    Continue your claim every week

    After your claim is approved, file a continued claim each week to receive payment. Missing a week pauses your benefits. Set a recurring calendar reminder for Sunday or Monday.

  5. 05

    Complete weekly work-search activities

    New Hampshire requires you to be available for and actively seeking work, with documented contacts each week. Applications, interviews, and registered networking events count. Keep a simple log with dates, employer names, and outcomes — NHES can ask to see it.

Official state resource

File and manage your claim at New Hampshire Employment Security (nhes.nh.gov).

A note on health coverage

Before the gap opens.

Health coverage usually ends at the end of your separation month. You will be offered COBRA — the right to keep your employer plan for up to 18 months at the full premium plus a small admin fee. COBRA is often two to three times what you were paying. Before signing up, compare it to a HealthCare.gov plan with an income-based subsidy. New Hampshire uses the federal marketplace, and most laid-off residents qualify for a real subsidy that makes a marketplace plan cheaper than COBRA. You have 60 days from the loss of coverage to choose either path.

This page is for general guidance only and is not legal, tax, or financial advice.

Questions

Common questions

How much is unemployment in New Hampshire?

New Hampshire's weekly benefit is calculated from your earnings in the highest-earning quarters of your base period, up to roughly $427 per week as of mid-2025. The state reviews the maximum periodically, so confirm the current figure with NHES when you file. Treat unemployment as a floor for essential expenses, not as a replacement for your full former income.

How long can I receive New Hampshire unemployment?

Up to 26 weeks of regular state benefits in most cases. During recessions, federal extensions sometimes add weeks, but plan based on the regular 26-week limit. If you are still searching at week 20, that is the point to recalibrate your strategy — not the moment to assume an extension will arrive.

Is COBRA worth it in New Hampshire?

Often not. COBRA charges the full premium plus a small admin fee, usually two to three times what you were paying as an employee. New Hampshire uses HealthCare.gov, where most laid-off residents qualify for an income-based subsidy that makes a marketplace plan cheaper than COBRA with similar coverage. Compare both before enrolling — you have 60 days from loss of coverage.

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