Claimant

FAQ - Work Search Requirements and Suitability of Work 11/1/2012

FAQ - Reporting Earnings and Restarting Claim After High Earnings

 

What is unemployment insurance?
How do I File for Unemployment Benefits?
If you forget or need to change your Password or PIN?
How and when do I file a claim?
When will I get my check?
How will I know if I qualify for benefits and the amount?
Where is the nearest employment office?
How do I close or reopen my claim?
I've just been laid off. What do I do?
I'm unable to work because of sickness or injury. What should I do?
When should I expect my first Unemployment Insurance payment?
What happens if I move from my current address?
What happens when my Unemployment Insurance benefits run out?
What if I need more training in order to get a new job?
Can I get help in conducting my search for a new job?
I was fired / quit. Am I eligible?

 

Q. What is unemployment insurance?
A. Unemployment insurance is temporary income for eligible workers who become unemployed through no fault of their own and who are looking for new jobs. The money for unemployment insurance benefits comes from revenue paid by employers. No deductions are ever made from a worker's paycheck for it.

Q. How do I File for Unemployment Benefits?
A. Filing for Unemployment Compensation can be done:

• Online
• Visit one of our local offices
• If you do not live in New Hampshire and have no access to the internet, please call 1-800-266-2252, Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm EST  

Q. If you forget or need to change your Password or PIN?
A. If you have previously answered the Security Questions when filing a claim, you can reset your own password by clicking the Forgot Password link on the Claimant Login page. If you have not previously answered the Security Questions or need your telephone PIN reset, and live in NH or within 25 miles of a NH Employment Security local office, you will need to report to the nearest office and bring proof of identity. If you live in another state, call 1-800-266-2252 for assistance. You will be asked questions to validate your identify before the department can reset your password or PIN.

Q. How and when do I file a claim?
A. This is the first claim you file after becoming unemployed, your first claim in a Benefit Year. It is not a request for compensation, but it serves as a notice to the Department and your employer that you may claim benefits.
You must register and file your initial claim application over the Internet. Your claim is effective the Sunday of the calendar week in which it is opened. To be timely to claim the week in which you last worked, you must file your initial claim within 3 (three) business days of your last day worked.

You must file no later than the last day of the first week for which you wish to file for benefits.

When you register you will be provided with a 6-character temporary PASSWORD to log on with. The first time you log on, you must use this 6-character temporary PASSWORD and will immediately be required to change it to one of your own choosing. Your chosen PASSWORD must be at least 6-characters long, can be a combination of letters, numbers or special characters and is case-sensitive. Your PASSWORD is for your private use. This PASSWORD is your legal signature and it is important that you do not communicate it to anyone. You will be held responsible for all activities which require your PASSWORD.

Q. When will I get my check?
A. After your initial claim is completed, it is immediately transmitted to the Benefit Adjudication Unit for processing. Your monetary eligibility is determined and a Determination of Unemployment Compensation mailed that detail your potential WBA (weekly benefit amount). This document is not a guarantee of payment. If there are questions on non-monetary eligibility conditions, you may be contacted for additional information.

Depending on the number of questions about your claim, if any, you can expect to be contacted and/or receive a Determination of Eligibility within 30 days. If you are unemployed for any reason other than lack of work, more time may be needed to process your claim. If you are found eligible, checks will be issued for any timely weeks filed at the same time the final non-monetary eligibility determinations are made. Remember to file for weekly benefits (also known as continued claims) according to the instructions provided. You will only receive payment for continued claims that are filed timely.

Q. How will I know if I qualify for benefits and the amount?
A. You will be mailed a Determination of Unemployment Compensation about your monetary eligibility and, if there are any questions about your claim, you will be mailed one or more Determination of Eligibility documents about your non-monetary eligibility.

Q. Where is the nearest employment office?
A. Visit our local offices

Q. How do I close or reopen my claim?
A. To close your claim you can just stop filing weekly claims for benefits. To reopen your claim log onto your WEBService and here you will find a link to file a reopen. If you have questions you can call our toll free Customer Service Call Center at 1-800-266-2252. You can submit a request for assistance online via the Claims Assistance Form.

Q. I've just been laid off. What do I do?
A. If you have lost your job or had your hours of work reduced, file a new claim or reopen an existing claim via the Internet at our web site or visit the nearest NH Employment Security office to file your claim on a computer in our Resource Center. Open your claim during the week your hours are reduced or, if you became unemployed from full-time work on Thursday or Friday, open your claim on Sunday or Monday. If you live in another State and your last employment was in New Hampshire, you may file your claim over the Internet. If you do not have access to the Internet or need language assistance, you may call 1-800-266-2252 to speak to a Customer Service Representative during business hours (Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.).

Q. I'm unable to work because of sickness or injury. What should I do?
A. If you are sick, or injured please notify us on your Continued Claim Application question number 2, During the week claimed, were you physically and mentally able to work?, by answering No. Your claim will be assigned to a certifying officer to assist you with processing your claim.

Q. When should I expect my first Unemployment Insurance payment?
A. After your initial claim is completed, it is immediately transmitted to the Benefit Adjudication Unit for processing. Your monetary eligibility is determined and a Determination of Unemployment Compensation mailed that detail your potential WBA (weekly benefit amount). This document is not a guarantee of payment. If there are questions on non-monetary eligibility conditions, you may be contacted for additional information. Depending on the number of questions about your claim, if any, you can expect to be contacted and/or receive a Determination of Eligibility within 30 days. If you are unemployed for any reason other than lack of work, 6 more time may be needed to process your claim. If you are found eligible, checks will be issued for any timely weeks filed at the same time the final non-monetary eligibility determinations are made. Remember to file for weekly benefits (also known as continued claims) according to the instructions provided. You will only receive payment for continued claims that are filed timely.

Q. What happens if I move from my current address?
A. If your address or telephone number changes, you must update your contact information. Your benefits may be late if you do not answer letters mailed to your address on record or do not report to an appointment. The easiest way to update your address and/or telephone number is online.

Q. What happens when my Unemployment Insurance benefits run out?
A. Additional Unemployment Compensation programs may be availability. Check frequently for updates on possible federal unemployment extensions.

Additional assistance: New Hampshire has a Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program TANF can help with food stamps, financial assistance, training, and job searching. You can dial 211 to get additional information regarding available assistance.

Q. What if I need more training in order to get a new job?
A. Some of the New Hampshire Employment Security local offices have One-Stop Resource centers; they offer employment solutions for both job seekers and employers. They can provide information on job listings; economic trends; labor market and employment statistics; social and community services; and education and training opportunities.

Q. Can I get help in conducting my search for a new job?
A. Some of the New Hampshire Employment Security local offices have One-Stop Resource centers; they offer employment solutions for both job seekers and employers. They can work with you to provide detailed information on job listings; economic trends; labor market and employment statistics; social and community services; and education and training opportunities.

Q. I was fired / quit. Am I eligible?
A. You should first file a claim if you haven't already done so. Your claim will be assigned to a certifying officer and a determination will be made on eligibility. The Certifying Officer will contact you if he/she needs additional information before making a determination on your claim. In order for a voluntary quit to be payable, the separation must be determined attributable to the employer. In order for a discharge to be payable, it must be determined that the separation is not for misconduct connected with your work.