So, as I mentioned in earlier posts, filing a claim for UI benefits involves two steps – filing an Initial Claim, which is essentially a notification to NHES and your employer (I guess technically now it would be previous employer) that you intend to file a claim, and, later, filing a Continued Claim, which is the the actual request for UI benefits for each week you wish to claim. This general process applies every time you become unemployed or your working hours are significantly reduced. There are some exceptions to this process, for example filing multiple claims in a single year or with different employers, that I’ll talk about in more detail in a later post, but this general process applies for the majority of claims.
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Eligibility Requirements for UI Benefits
In order to qualify for UI benefits, you’ll have to fulfill certain eligibility requirements for every week you wish to claim. In general, the eligibility requirements include the following:
You must be totally or partially unemployed. This means that you did not work or receive any compensation for the part of the week for which you intend to claim UI benefits. Simple enough, but it also includes self employment or working for family and you must declare it.
You must be willing to work full time. This generally means you must be available to work during the shifts and hours the job you are qualified for generally requires. There are exceptions to this which allow part time work under certain conditions (like caring for dependents, for example) but you’ll also only be able to collect UI benefits based on part time pay.
You need to be fit to work full time. If you have certain mental, emotional, or psychical conditions which affect your ability to work full time, you might consider pursuing a disability claim through the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) system.
You must be actively looking for work. You have the obligation of constantly looking for work and to document that search. This includes, for example, keeping a list of the potential employers that you have contacted and logging any other job search activities you’ve undertaken.
Register for work. You must be actively looking for a job and register yourself with the Job Match System. I’ll go into this in more detail in a later post but you can either visit your local NHES office or register online for the Job Match System.
File you paperwork properly. Make sure you present your application in time to receive your unemployment benefits.
Participate in training courses. If NHES asks you to participate in training courses you must accept.
Declare job offers. You must also declare any job offers you fail to accept. Refusing job offers for which you are qualified can affect your claim for UI benefits so you should be strategic with the job you apply for.
Disclose child support obligations. You must disclose any child support you are responsible for.
Filing your Initial Claim for NH Unemployment Benefits with NHES
For many of us, the easiest way to file is by using the official online New Hampshire Unemployment Insurance System (NHUIS) which you can find here. I’ll discuss using the NHUIS in more detail in my next post. You can also file in person at the closest NHES office if you’d rather do it that way or by calling 1-800-266-2252 and speaking to a customer care officer. In any case, you should be sure to collect the information below and have it handy when you file:
- Your social security number and your contact information (name, address, phone number, etc.);
- If you aren’t a US citizen, you’ll need your US Permanent Resident Card aka Green Card;
- Details of any severance, vacation, sick, or other payments you received or will receive other than your normal pay;
- If you were in military service during the last year, you’ll need your DD-214 Report of Separation form and if you were an employee of the Federal government, you’ll need your SF-8 Notice to Federal Employee About Unemployment Insurance form;
- And lastly, you’ll need the contact information (name, address, phone, etc.) for each of the employers you’ve worked for in the previous 18 months – double check that you have the correct contact information for the payroll office if the company has several sites – and your reason for separation.
Once you have all this information together, you can move on to the next step – Filing your Initial Claim. I’ll talk about this step in my next post. As always, if you have any questions, leave a comment below and I’ll do my best to answer it quickly.
