Unemployment benefits in New Hampshire.
The Granite State computes benefits from your annual earnings rather than quarters, an oddity that helps people with uneven years. The cap itself hasn't moved in ages. Live free and budget hard.
At a glance
New Hampshire unemployment in 2026
- $427 · Maximum weekly benefit
- $32 · Minimum weekly benefit
- 26 weeks · Maximum duration per benefit year
- $11,102 · Maximum total payout
How much unemployment pays in New Hampshire
New Hampshire pays a schedule keyed to your total annual earnings rather than quarters, capped at $427 per week for 2026. Checks bottom out at $32 a week. Earn less than the statewide average and you'll land somewhere below the cap. The state does the math from your base period earnings when you file, so you don't have to guess.
Who qualifies for unemployment in New Hampshire
To qualify in 2026, all of these have to be true.
- You earned at least $1,400 in each of two separate quarters.
- Your annual earnings put you on the state's benefit schedule, which starts at $9,000.
You also need to have lost the job through no fault of your own. A layoff counts. Getting laid off is the textbook case, actually.
How New Hampshire treats severance
New Hampshire generally has you exhaust separation pay before benefits begin, with the timing shaped by how much you received and the reason for separation. A package delays your start date, so file immediately anyway to lock the claim and let the state work out when payments begin.
Severance structure is negotiable before you sign, and in offset states the difference between a lump sum and salary continuation can be worth months of benefits. Our severance breakdown covers how to ask.
Working part-time on unemployment in New Hampshire
New Hampshire is unusually generous on part-time work. It increases your weekly benefit by 30% as a part-time incentive, then deducts your gross wages from that higher figure. The net effect lets you keep more of a small paycheck than most states allow. Report gross earnings for the week worked.
The fine print that costs people money
- State taxes. New Hampshire has no tax on wage or benefit income, so your unemployment faces only federal tax. The IRS still counts it, so consider the 10% federal withholding.
- The work-search rule. New Hampshire requires a weekly work search, including contacting hiring employers and reemployment activities, unless you're specifically told you're exempt. Proceed as if required.
- The appeal clock. New Hampshire's appeal window is short and printed on your determination, so appeal the moment you disagree and keep certifying while it runs.
Where to file for unemployment in New Hampshire
File online at unemploymentbenefits.nh.gov, the official New Hampshire Employment Security site. Filing is free. Any site that wants a credit card to "process your claim" is a scam wearing a government costume.
File the week you're laid off, even if severance is still being sorted out. Benefits start from your filing date, and waiting costs you real money. Our walkthrough of the filing process covers the documents to gather and the bureaucratic weirdness to expect.
Worth knowing
- New Hampshire is the odd one out that computes benefits from your annual wages instead of quarterly ones, which helps people whose income arrived unevenly through the year.
- The $427 ceiling has been stuck for the better part of two decades, and there are no dependent allowances of any kind to soften it.
Quick answers
Does severance affect unemployment benefits in New Hampshire?
Yes. New Hampshire generally has you exhaust separation pay before benefits begin, with the timing depending on how much you got and why you separated. A package delays your start date, so file immediately to lock the claim and let the state set when payments start.
How much can I earn working part-time on New Hampshire unemployment?
New Hampshire adds 30% to your weekly benefit as a part-time incentive, then deducts your gross wages from that higher figure, so you keep more of a small paycheck than in most states. Report gross earnings for the week.
Is unemployment taxable in New Hampshire?
Only federally. New Hampshire has no tax on wage or benefit income, so there's no state bite. The IRS still taxes it, so consider federal withholding.
How much is unemployment in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire pays a schedule keyed to your total annual earnings rather than quarters, up to a maximum of $427 per week for claims filed in 2026.
How long can I collect unemployment in New Hampshire?
Up to 26 weeks per benefit year. The absolute maximum payout is $11,102.
How do I apply for unemployment in New Hampshire?
File online at unemploymentbenefits.nh.gov, the official New Hampshire Employment Security site. Filing is free, and any site that charges you is a scam. Have your Social Security number, photo ID, and your last 18 months of employment history ready, and file the same week you're laid off, because benefits run from your filing date, not your last day of work.
Can I get unemployment in New Hampshire if I was fired or quit?
A layoff is the textbook qualifying case. Being fired can still qualify if it was ordinary poor performance rather than deliberate misconduct. Quitting usually disqualifies you unless you left for a good cause the state recognizes. The line between those is drawn by New Hampshire Employment Security case by case, so when in doubt, apply and let them decide.
What happens if my New Hampshire claim is denied?
You can appeal, and the deadline is short. New Hampshire's appeal window is short and printed on your determination, so appeal the moment you disagree and keep certifying while it runs. File the appeal through unemploymentbenefits.nh.gov and keep certifying every week while you wait. If you win, you get paid for the weeks you certified.
Do I need to be a US citizen to get unemployment in New Hampshire?
No. You need to have been authorized to work both when you earned the wages and while you're claiming benefits. New Hampshire Employment Security verifies work authorization for non-citizens as part of the claim.