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WE WILL FILE YOUR APPEAL FOR YOU AT NO CHARGE WHATSOEVER
Contact us using the form on this page
THE UNEMPLOYMENT PROCESS IN New Hampshire
To Qualify for Benefits in New Hampshire you must meet requirements:
Become unemployed through no fault of your own (regardless of whether you were fired, quit or were laid off)
Be able, available and actively seeking employment.
Here at the Unemployment Help Center, Ltd. we have been representing New Hampshire Claimant’s with regard to all aspects of the unemployment process. We are very experienced with the procedure and process involved in a New Hampshire Unemployment Appeals Hearing as well as appeals to the New Hampshire Industrial Claim Appeals Office..
You or your employer may file an appeal and this is were the Unemployment Help Center comes into action – we will represent you at the Appeals Hearing, prepare you for that hearing and insure that your rights to Unemployment Compensation Benefits are protected.
Any appeal from a determination will be heard in a hearing before a hearing officer. All interested parties may participate in the hearing. You will receive a hearing notice packet with the date and time of your hearing and instructions on how to submit any additional documents or evidence you may wish to present. If you have additional evidence you wish to submit, you must be sure to deliver it to the hearing officer and all other interested parties before the day of the hearing.
The Unemployment Help Center will take care of all of the above for you. We will review your evidence, make submissions to the Hearing Officer as well as explain the proper strategy to winning your hearing. Often it is not what you say, but how you say it, that will win a hearing. We explain and prepare you to do just that - win your Colorado Unemployment Appeals Hearing.
Hearing Participation
You must participate in the hearing. The New Hampshire Unemployment Hearing Officer will make the decision based only on the testimony and evidence given at the hearing. We will be there with you representing your interest, questioning witnesses and providing argument to the New Hampshire Unemployment Hearing Officer.
We also handle further appeals to the New Hampshire Appeals Office. These further appeals are done in writing and are based on the transcript of testimony from your “live” hearing. Contact us for a free consultation concerning your specific unemployment appeals case
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.
If a claimant or an employer disagree with a NHES Determination on Unemployment Compensation, that party has the right to appeal. An appeal is a written disagreement with a decision by New Hampshire Employment Security (NHES). A timely appeal generally results in a hearing that ensures each affected party has the chance to provide evidence and testimony about the issue under appeal.
There is no cost to file an appeal, but there is a 14-day time limit for filing the appeal. Therefore, if you do not understand the determination, contact the department promptly for an explanation. If you disagree with the determination, do not delay filing an appeal.
Claimants may file an appeal on decisions made by NHES, for reasons such as:
- Unemployment benefits have been denied
- Benefits received are required to be repaid
- A penalty has been assessed, such as for failure to disclose information
Employers may file an appeal on decisions made by NHES, for reasons such as:
- Benefits are being paid to an employee who quit for reasons not attributable to the employer or was fired for misconduct
- Benefits are being paid to an employee who refused work or is in a labor dispute
- A determination has been made that your business is chargeable for the benefits
The Appeal Tribunal usually consists of one hearing officer known as an Appeal Tribunal Chairman.
When an appeal is filed on a Determination of Unemployment Compensation, the Appeal Tribunal Unit usually schedules an administrative hearing to ensure each affected party has the chance to provide evidence and testimony about the issue under appeal.
The Appeal Tribunal Chairman examines the case at the hearing. The Chairman makes an independent and impartial decision on the case based upon all the evidence that is provided at the hearing. The Chairman bases the resulting Decision of Appeal Tribunal on the findings of fact, department administrative rules (Administrative Rule Emp 100-500), and state law (RSA 282-A Unemployment Compensation).
Although a department form is not needed to file an appeal, a Request for Appeal Form may be completed and faxed, mailed, or hand delivered to a local office.
- To file an appeal online, use the Online Appeal Form
- If filing by fax, send the request to: (603) 656-6579
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If filing by mail, send the request to:
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Attn: Appeal Tribunal Unit
NH Employment Security
PO Box 9505
Manchester, NH 03108-9505
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Attn: Appeal Tribunal Unit
An appeal request should include:
- The claimant's name and at least the last four digits of his/her Social Security Number;
- If an employer appeal, the business name and the name of the person filing the request;
- Contact information, including an address, telephone number, and email address; and
- If possible, a copy of the determination notice(s)
- The reason for the disagreement with the determination.
If unable to include a copy of the determination, please include the issue date and determination identification number listed on the determination being appealed.
Please indicate if there are:
- Any dates or time you will be unable to participate in a hearing.
- If an attorney may be involved.
- If an interpreter is needed for you or any potential witnesses, and, if so, for what language(s).
- Also, please advise if a hearing impairment accommodation is needed.
- Finally, the determination becomes final at the end of the appeal period if there has not been an appeal. However, the commissioner is allowed to extend the time for filing an appeal if there are sufficient grounds for doing so. Please include the reason why the appeal was filed beyond the 14-day filing period with the appeal request.
How do I contact Appeals if I have questions?
Telephone: (603) 656-6644
Fax: (603) 656-6579
Email: appeals@nhes.nh.gov
What happens after an appeal is filed?
Once the Appeal Tribunal Unit receives and processes an appeal, a written confirmation is sent to the claimant and to the employer(s) that an appeal has been filed and by whom.
Once the Appeal Tribunal schedules a hearing, a hearing notice is sent with the date and time of the hearing as well as whether the hearing will be scheduled in person or by telephone. The hearing notice is sent by mail or to the correspondence in-box at least 8 days prior to the date of the hearing. It will also include the issue(s) of law under appeal.
If the hearing is scheduled by telephone, be sure to return the contact information immediately. Otherwise you will not be contacted for the hearing and the appeal may be dismissed.
While waiting for the hearing, unemployed claimants should continue to file weekly claims on time.
Claimants still need to meet eligibility requirements every week, including:
- Having an active search for full-time work;
- Being physically able to work;
- Being available for full-time work;
- Being registered for work online at or, if the claimant is out-of-state, with the nearest Workforce Solutions office.
Claimants may also wish to contact the department's claim representative for assistance in preparing for the hearing. Contact information for claim representative: Telephone: 1-800-685-6588 or (603) 229-4017.
What happens at the hearing and why should I be there?
For everyone's convenience, the Appeal Tribunal hearings are usually held at NHES local offices. If the party who files the appeal (the appellant) does not appear or request a postponement in advance of the hearing, the appeal may be dismissed, in which case the original determination becomes final.
For parties other than the appellant, attendance at the hearing, whether in person or by telephone, is voluntary. Because the Chairman bases the Decision on evidence provided at the hearing, it is in each party's best interest to participate to provide that side of the story. Also, the Chairman will likely have questions to make sure has all the facts are part of the record to reach a decision.
Make sure to be on time, because the Chairman may dismiss the appeal or begin the hearing without you.
There will be some introductory comments regarding the issue under appeal and how the hearing will proceed. The hearing is held in a casual manner, and the Chairman will make every possible effort to help the parties feel at ease.
The length of the hearing depends on many factors such as the number of determinations under appeal, witnesses, and documents. Usually however, appeals are heard within an hour. Remember that the allotted time for a hearing includes receiving information from all the parties present. If needed, request more time before the hearing.
The hearing is recorded and under oath. This provides an audio record of the proceedings in the event there should be a higher appeal. The Chairman will ask you to present your case. Remember that the Chairman has already read the determination under appeal but likely will have questions for you to better understand the case. Try to relax as much as possible. A formal legal presentation is not expected. This is not a courtroom. Please remember this is simply the opportunity to explain the case.
If unable to attend the hearing in person, contact the Appeal Tribunal and request to participate by telephone. Telephone participation may be granted if there is no objection from the opposing party. The Appeal Tribunal telephone number appears on both the notice that an appeal has been filed and on the notice of the hearing.
If unable to attend a hearing either in person or via the telephone, request the hearing be rescheduled or present your arguments in writing. Make sure your arguments are forwarded to the Appeal Tribunal before the hearing date; otherwise, the Chairman will make a decision based on what is received at the hearing.
How can I prepare for the hearing?
- Read the determination under appeal and the hearing notice sent to you.
- Read the Guide for an Appeal Hearing. (Available on the Form and Publications page).
- Make a checklist of the points you want to mention to the Chairman, including any errors you have found concerning information in the determination.
- Bring any new information, witnesses, documents, and evidence (for example, a medical certificate, personnel file, payroll records, letters from co-workers, etc.) that you want the Chairman to consider, or send it to the Appeal Tribunal before the hearing date.
- An Attorney may represent you at your own expense.
- You may bring a friend or family member for moral support.
What happens after the hearing?
The Chairman will not give a verbal decision on the day of the hearing. A written decision usually issued within 7 to 14 days after the hearing.
If the Chairman's decision is not favorable, the next level of appeal is a request a reopening with the Commissioner. Again, there is no charge to file this appeal, however there is a 14-day time limit for filing the appeal. The instructions are included with the Decision of Appeal Tribunal. The Decision of Appeal Tribunal becomes final if no appeal is filed.
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Appeals
For Claimants and Employers
NHES certifying officers rule on and issue decisions on unemployment compensation claim issues. Such a decision is known as a Determination of Unemployment Compensation. The claimant or an employer who is an interested party to the claim has the right to request an appeal if the party disagrees with the determination. An appeal is timely if it is submitted within 14 calendar days of the issue (mail) date of the determination being appealed.
The Appeal Tribunal Unit administers these appeals. Appeal requests are processed, and de novo administrative hearings are scheduled. The Appeals Tribunal Chairmen conduct the hearings and issue decisions on the issue under appeal. The Chairmen also presides at Administrative Hearings, sometimes as the chair of an Administrative Hearing Committee (AHC), and issue decisions on employer tax appeals, such as whether an individual worked "in employment" and whether a business is subject to unemployment compensation taxation. Appeals of these "liability" determinations are timely if filed within 14 calendar days of the determination mail date. Administrative hearings are also held and decisions issued on claimant and employer compromise requests.
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When Do I File?
Each time you become unemployed or have your hours of work significantly reduced, you must file a new claim or reopen an existing claim. This can be done online or by visiting the nearest NH Employment Security office to file your claim on a computer in one of our Resource Centers. You must 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.
What information do I need before I file?
- Your Social Security Number
- Address (mailing and home address)
- Telephone Number
- Email Address
- Alien Registration Number (if you are not a U.S. citizen)
- Amount of separation, holiday, sick, or retirement pay you received or will receive
- Military Form DD-214, member 4 copy (if you were in the military in the past year)
- Form SF-8 (if you worked for the Federal government in the past year)
Also, for each employer you worked for in the past 18 months, you need:
- Complete name and address of each employer (including zip code)
- Payroll address if different
- Employer's telephone number (including area code)
- Beginning and ending dates of employment (day, month and year)
- Number of hours worked and pay rate if you worked this week (including Sunday)
- Reason why you are no longer working for employer.
Filing a claim is a two step process. You must complete both steps to be potentially eligible for payment.
Step 1: Initial Claim
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 mustregister and file your initial claim application online. 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 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.
Step 2: Continued Claim
File your weekly claim online. This is the actual request for payment of benefits that is made each week. You must file your first continued claim between the first Sunday through Saturday period following the week you open your claim, and every week thereafter that you wish to file for benefits.