How does New Hampshire calculate the weekly benefit?

New Hampshire uses an annual-earnings schedule that works out to roughly 1.1 percent of your base-period wages per week. The amount is capped at the state maximum weekly benefit amount, which is set by law and tied to the statewide average weekly wage.

What is the base period in New Hampshire?

The base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file. New Hampshire also allows an alternate base period using the most recent four quarters if you do not qualify under the standard one.

How long can I collect unemployment in New Hampshire?

The standard maximum duration is 26 weeks of benefits within a benefit year. Total benefits collectible equal your weekly amount times the number of weeks you remain eligible, up to that 26-week cap.

What is the maximum weekly benefit in New Hampshire?

New Hampshire's maximum weekly benefit amount is set by statute and adjusted with the average weekly wage; it has been around the high $400s. This estimator caps your result at that maximum, which you can edit to the current figure.

Will I actually receive the estimated amount?

Not necessarily. Actual benefits depend on meeting monetary and non-monetary eligibility, weekly work-search requirements, and any deductions for part-time earnings or severance. This is an estimate, not a determination of eligibility.

New Hampshire Unemployment Benefit Estimator

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If you lose your job in New Hampshire, the state’s unemployment insurance provides a weekly benefit based on what you earned during your base period. This estimator applies New Hampshire’s annual-earnings schedule and the state maximum to project your weekly amount and the most you could collect.

How it works

New Hampshire’s earnings schedule works out to roughly 1.1 percent of base-period wages per week, then caps the result:

Weekly benefit = base-period wages × ~1.1%, capped at the state maximum
Total benefit  = weekly benefit × up to 26 weeks

The base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters. Higher earnings raise the weekly amount until you hit the statutory maximum weekly benefit amount, above which extra earnings do not increase the benefit. Duration tops out at 26 weeks per benefit year.

Example

A worker with $40,000 in base-period wages estimates 40,000 × 1.1% = $440 per week. If the state maximum is $427, the benefit is capped at $427. Over a full 26 weeks that is up to $11,102 in total UI benefits.

Notes

This is an estimate of monetary eligibility only. Actual payments depend on non-monetary eligibility, weekly job-search compliance, and deductions for part-time wages, severance, or pension income. The maximum weekly benefit amount is updated by the state — edit the cap to the current figure for accuracy. Verify with New Hampshire Employment Security.