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Max. Weekly Benefit Amount
$565
Max. Weeks of Benefits
26
Current Jobless Rate
6.2%
Max Weekly Benefit Amount
$565
Max Weeks of benefits
26
Current Jobless rate
6.2%

Updated : May 8th, 2023

New Mexico Unemployment Benefits

New Mexico Unemployment Benefits

New Mexico’s unemployment insurance program is a temporary financial assistance program that provides unemployment benefits to eligible claimants who have lost their job through no fault of their own. Administered by the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions, this program provides weekly benefits to unemployed workers to help them make ends meet while they look for a new job.

New Mexico UI Benefits Calculator

The New Mexico Unemployment Benefits Calculator helps you estimate your UI weekly benefits amount.

UI Benefits Calculator
Calculate Your New Mexico Unemployment Benefits

Use the New Mexico unemployment calculator to estimate your UI benefit payments.

New Mexico Unemployment Calculator

Eligibility for UI Benefits In New Mexico

You must meet monetary and job separation requirements to be eligible for unemployment benefits in New Mexico.

In order to receive UI benefits in New Mexico, each job seeker must meet the following eligibility requirements, including:

  • Being unemployed through no fault of your own
  • Be able and available to work
  • Register with the New Mexico Workforce Connection System
  • Meet the state’s work search requirements
  • Apply for and accept suitable work

Monetary eligibility

In order to qualify for New Mexico unemployment insurance benefits, you must meet the state’s monetary eligibility requirements. This includes:

  • You must have earned at least $2,089.72 during the base period
  • You must have earned money during at least two quarters of the base period

Your base period is the first four out of the five quarters you worked before you become unemployed.

Job separation

To receive unemployment benefits in New Mexico, you must have lost your job through no fault of your own. This means that the job separation was not a result of your own misconduct, gross negligence, or violation of company policy.

Examples of acceptable job separations for unemployment benefits include:

  • Lay-offs
  • Reductions in hours
  • Termination without cause

If you voluntarily quit your job or are terminated by your employer for cause, you may not be eligible for unemployment benefits.

New Mexico Eligibility Calculator


Maintaining eligibility

Once you apply for unemployment benefits and get approved, you must file a request for benefits each week. This is also called a weekly certification. You need to do this for every week you want to receive benefits.

When filing your weekly certification, you will be asked several questions to verify your eligibility. Topics include:

  • Whether you worked during the week, and if so:
    • Gross wages earned
  • Whether you were offered any jobs
  • If you were available for work
  • If you met the job search requirements
  • Any self-employment activity you participated in

New Mexico unemployemnt job search requirements

 

 


How To Apply For UI Benefits In New Mexico

You must submit several documents to receive New Mexico unemployment benefits.

What You Need to File a Claim

To file a claim, you’ll need to ensure you have the relevant information on hand to make the process go more smoothly, whether you are filing a claim online or over the phone. For starters, you’ll need to have your Social Security Number available. If you are not a US citizen, you can still apply for unemployment benefits using your alien registration number along with its expiration date.

Additionally, you will need a list of your employers over the last 18 months. Be sure to have each employer’s mailing address and phone number, as well as the starting and ending dates of your employment with them.

Remember, you will need to file a claim each week you are unemployed. If you work during the week for which you are filing a claim for benefits, you will need to know the total amount you earned before any deductions are taken (your gross pay).

There are two ways to apply for unemployment insurance benefits in New Mexico: online and by phone.  For both methods, you will need to provide your:

  • Social Security number
  • Contact information for all employers in the past 18 months
  • Start and end dates of your last job
  • Work authorization number (if you’re not a U.S. citizen)
  • Whether you worked at all during the week, and if so, the amount of money you earned

Online

If you want to apply for New Mexico unemployment benefits, visit the online portal and click “Individual.” A pop-up window will appear, click “Create Account/Log In.” Click “Create Account” and follow the instructions on the screen.

Phone

You can also call the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions and apply with the help of a customer service representative. The UI operations center is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Learn how to apply for UI benefits

How to file weekly claims

You can file weekly certifications online or by phone. To file online, log into your account using the username and password that you created during the initial application process.

You can also file your weekly certification claim by phone by calling the UI operations center at the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions.

Learn how to claim weekly benefits


Things To Know After Filing An Application

Once you apply for benefits, it’s essential to keep track of everything to make sure you remain eligible for benefits. If you don’t follow the rules, you may be disqualified from the unemployment insurance program. Here are some things to keep in mind:

Unemployment Fraud

If you receive UI benefits, you are responsible for following the eligibility requirements set by New Mexico state law. It is considered unemployment fraud when a claimant gives incorrect information about their salary or work history to receive or increase their unemployment compensation.

Overpayments

If you receive more benefits than you are eligible for, it is called an overpayment. This can happen if you make a mistake on your application or if the state agency makes an error when calculating your benefits. If you receive an overpayment, you will need to pay back the excess amount to the state.

Extended Benefit Programs

Extended Benefits are offered during times of high unemployment, and provide additional weeks of unemployment benefits beyond what is normally available. The availability of extended benefits is determined by the state and United States governments, and is based on economic conditions—such as high unemployment rates, natural disasters, and national pandemics.

Currently, there are no Extended Benefit programs available in the state of New Mexico. Unemployed workers are eligible to receive 26 weeks of unemployment compensation per benefit year.

Job training assistance

New Mexico Workforce Connection Centers offer a variety of job search assistance programs for unemployed workers. These programs include:

  • Apprenticeships
  • Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
  • New Mexico Workforce Connection Centers
  • Mock it Til You Rock it
  • Veteran services
  • WorkKeys
  • and more

Find job training opportunities in NM

New Mexico unemployment contact information

If you need help or have questions about your unemployment claim, you can call the UI operations center at the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions.

If you are interested in learning more about job search resources and programs, visit your local New Mexico Workforce Connection Center.


Common Questions

Can I file for unemployment benefits if I am sick or on vacation?

No, you cannot receive unemployment benefits in New Mexico if you are sick or on vacation. To be eligible for unemployment benefits in New Mexico, you must be able and available to work. This means that you are ready and willing to work and actively seeking employment. If you are sick or on vacation, you are not available to work, and therefore not eligible for unemployment benefits.

Do I have to pay federal taxes on my unemployment benefits?

Yes. When you file your income taxes, you need to report all of the unemployment insurance benefits you received. You can opt to have 10% of your weekly unemployment benefits withheld for federal taxes. If you decide to have taxes withheld, it will happen automatically every week.

What is the maximum benefit amount I can receive?

New Mexico’s maximum benefit amount is currently $565. This amount is based on the income earned in your highest quarter and the number of dependents in your household.

How do I end my claim after I get a full-time job?

When you go back to working full-time, you can simply stop filing weekly certifications. If you start working again in the middle of a week, be sure to tell the NM Department of Workforce Solutions how much money you made for that week when you submit your final weekly claim.

Can I file for unemployment benefits in another state while living in New Mexico?

Federal law prevents unemployed workers from filing for benefits in more than one state. However, you can file a combined wage claim if you have insured wages in other states. This can increase your weekly benefit amount, ensuring you get the full benefits you are entitled to receive.

Frequently Asked Question

Q. When should I file a new claim?
You can file a new claim online, Sunday-Friday, 24 hours a day, or by phone, Monday-Friday, 7:00am-5:00pm.
Q. Will I be eligible for UI benefits if my work hours are reduced?
You can qualify for UI benefits if your hours are reduced. Note that your earnings must be less than your weekly benefit amount and you must report your earning while filing weekly certifications.
Q. Can I qualify for benefits if I’m unable to work?
No. You must be able to and available for work in order to qualify for unemployment benefits. If you are unable to work due to some injury at workplace, you can file for workers’ compensation.

Questions & Answers

  1. Hello, I was fired from my job without warning or given a reason. I understand that as an independent contractor this can happen. I believe I still should have received my last paycheck within 5 days. Its been 8 days and I’ve received nothing. what can I do?

    • Hi, Tara – First, continue to reach out to your former employer directly to try to get information about the status of your final paycheck. New Mexico law requires payment of all fixed wages, like hourly wages or a salary, within five days of an employee’s separation. However, wages such as commissions must be paid within 10 days of the employee’s separation from employment, so it may depend on how your pay is classified since you are an independent contractor. In addition, if your check still doesn’t arrive, you can contact New Mexico’s labor department to file a wage claim or contact the federal Department of Labor. You also may think about conferring with an employment attorney to help you navigate your specific situation.

  2. I live overseas as a military spouse and have been at the same job for 3.5 years. We will be moving to the base in New Mexico. What is the minimum days before we move that I can quit my job to qualify for unemployment and do I qualify for unemployment?

    • Danielle – Most states allow employees to quit or resign from a position 30 days prior to the report date listed on military orders. It is important to note the date of leaving a position if planning to apply for unemployment. For more information, you can visit http://www.CareerOneStop.org and select “unemployment benefits” for specific states.

  3. I’ve been on hold for two months, did I do something wrong? I can’t reach anyone to talk to and I’m running out of money.

  4. My fiance was using my computer to do his weekly certification, but because our computer autofills login details, he accidentally signed in as me and certified *his* hours under my name. Am I able to reverse this? I am only working five or less hours a week right now and he works full time, so it’s a pretty big difference and I don’t want this to impact me in the future.

  5. Why has my weekly benefits suddenly been put on hold? I have received no letter, email, text, or a correspondence explaining what’s the hold up! I can’t even get through to them on the phone to get an explanation!

  6. I applied for benifits and my wba says 169 and my balance says 6,591 and my payment options says debit card did i get approved

  7. If my hours are cut by 25% or 50% and go below the threshold to qualify for company-paid health insurance, I would consider that would establish clear-cut “good cause” for quitting since any reasonable person would have a compelling reason to quit and try to find a job with pay and benefits similar to what they were accustomed to. However all the answers here seem to indicate that the employer has the whip hand and anything but a formal layoff notice puts the worker in a legal gray area where they may or may not get benefits. My employer has expert legal help to keep from paying unemployment insurance. Do I have any hope of making a “good cause” claim or do I have to wait until the employer formally lays me off? In the meantime, can I file for partial unemployment benefits to help cover the lost hours and lost health insurance? Thanks.

    • William,

      I suggest you go ahead and file for partial UI benefits for the lost hours and call the Claims Center to discuss your situation before making a decision to quit voluntarily.

  8. I used up my benefits but still have no job but I haven’t used all my benefit from couple years ago, do I still qualify for that benefit?

    • Jamie,

      If you have completed the cycle, you will not qualify. Please call the Claims Center for clarification.

  9. After 18 years as contractor I was laid off,;my position was not picked up in new contract. I was told I will be receiving severence pay ( previously told I was exempt) I have not been notified of the amount. Will severence pay, PTO pay and 401k withdrawal affect my unemployment. ?

  10. After working 17 years in the Oil & Gas field, I was laid off my job. I collected 26 weeks of unemployment benefits and was told there are no extension benefits since 2013. Is this accurate?

    • That is correct. The federal extension program (EUC) remains expired since 2013.

      You may want to call the Unemployment Office in your state for information on state aided extension.

  11. I have to quit my job due to my husband moving on military orders and the company I work for does not have a store in the state we are moving. Do I qualify for unemployment and what state do I file in

    • You can be eligible as a Military spouse.

      Please check on the mechanics with the Unemployment Office in the new state.

  12. I work at a commission only job and have not worked for three weeks now, can I receive unemployment insurance in the meantime while im waiting to get a call to do some work for my employer.

    • Not sure if people not on permanent rolls qualify for unemployment insurance.

      Please call the claims center for further information.

  13. If I owe a balance of an overpayment with unemployment from previous years, can I still file for unemployment?

    • Please call the customer service first. You can only file and receive benefits for one full cycle.

      It is not revolving.

  14. My husband has recently relocated from NM to Oregon for his job. I’am currently still in NM working at my 8yr old job until kids are out of school. I’am relocating to Oregon in May and quitting my job to be with my husband. Can I qualify for unemployment benefits until I can find a job in Oregon?

    • You should be as long as the application meets all criteria prescribed by the labor department.

      The application is usually from the state where one was last employed.

  15. All I want to do is file for unemployment. Every thing I click
    on this web site takes me to everywhere but that. Why does this
    web site have to be so un-user friendly?

  16. I am 70 years old and working full time. I have also been drawing Social Security the last two years. If I get laid off in 2014, can I
    draw unemployement benefits and S.S. payments at the same time?
    Thanks.

  17. I have been with a large corporation for 24 years and of those years 7 of them in my current group. I have always had good annual performance reviews with the most recent being 2012 with a rating of ‘3’ Meeting all expectations and Exceeding some. All of a sudden in 2013 I was given a Informal Warning and told I did not meet expectations at my title level. I am now on Formal Warning as it is evident my group has a plan and hidden agenda to terminate me on 12/2.

    I am no longer eligible for my my annual raise and bonus. I can either wait for them to terminate me on Dec 2nd or quit so that I will not have the ‘termination’ on my history record.

    If a company is forcing an female employee out due to age (I am 57) and I am now eligible 2013 for retirement with this company, and they do not want to give me an additional week of PTO in 2014 as it will be my 25th yr with the company-should I quit and if so can I get unemployment.

  18. I work for a contractor for the DOI. I’m off work now due to the shut down. Can I apply for unemployment until the government comes back up?

  19. Hi. I lost my job last week because “it just wasn’t working out”. The company wants me to sign a Separation Agreement and give me two weeks severance. If I sign the agreement, can I still get Unemployment Insurance? Does my employer have to pay part of my unemployment insurance?

    • Employers in general are required to pay unemployment insurance, 3 states also require employees to pay (don’t think New Mexico is one). Apply at the website for unemployment in New Mexico or call the unemployment office to iniate a claim. Read whatever you sign carefully – however receiving severance does not prevent you from receiving unemployment.

  20. Where do I go to file an appeal online? I go to the workforce website but don’t see where. The dash board is of no assistance either.

  21. I use to work 35 hours for two weeks a now I work 17 hours ever two weeks an I have a family of five just wondering if I can claim

    • I have limited knowledge of appeals in New Mexico but found their website quite helpful in general. However, you may find status information by looking at the webpage where you log into your account.

  22. my son was making at least 20 to 30 hrs a week they reduced his hrs to only 4 hrs a week and when I say 4 hrs that’s all they schedule him, you can’t make a living on that can he get unemployment?

    • Since the number of working hours are significantly cut, he might be eligible for unemployment benefits provided he qualifies for other requirements set by the state of New Mexico.

  23. I work for a company based out of Michigan but my job is a manager in New Mexico. I have been on FMLA for almost 6 months and was told I could be terminated within the next week if I could not return . I am on short term dissability at the moment. I had another surgery July 15th and won’t be able to return to work by next week. Will i be able to file for unemployment if they terminate my employment once my dissability runs out? How long do I have to file and which state do I file in?

  24. i ve been working at my job for a lil over two years and on july 3,2013 we had a really bad rain/hail storm, and my job was shut down due to repairs being made . . my boss said we can apply for unemployment till the repairs are fixed. i applied for unemployment like 10 days ago and recd a message via email that i need to finish the app but when i try it jumps back to not being addressed as to retry again. whats up with that

  25. My question is when and how will I know if approved to recieved benefits ? I apply the unemployment last July 22 but I haven’t heard or recieved anything yet.thank you looking forward for your respond.

    • It takes about a week to process your claim and in the meanwhile you will be required to file your weekly claims. You will receive a determination letter which contains details like your weekly benefit amount and till when you can claim etc. if you have qualified.

  26. I am checking the staus on my unemployment claims. I have not heard anything since I applied. Its now going into two months now. Dj

  27. I recently quit JC Penneys, (giving my two weeks notice), because I became uncofortable with the attitude of both a co-worker and the stoe manaer. I have been a hair stylist with them for two years. The co-worker and me do not speak and recently he became almost violent with a customer. When the manager asked why he said he was tired of my sexual haressment. HR is investigating his claims. I wrote a statement and included names and phone
    numbers as. eyewitnesses for every account he said I touched him physically. The manager explained he was NOT going to call anyone I replyed that is my only evidence. He was going to send it to HR & they may find it sexual harassement. I called made a statement to them they inturn contacted me that it no longer had anything to with the manager since he seemed bias. After that both the co-worker and the manager made me feel very uncomfortable and chose to go else where. Unfortunately there are no customers & have not made any money. My last check comes next week & will be approx. 136.00. I don’t know how I will pay my other bills.iowe my brother 180.00 to fix my pump since I had no running water for 2 weeks.

  28. I had a massive depressive episode two months ago and was unable to continue working for my employer of two years, so I left voluntarily. I’m now well enough to work again. Do I qualify for unemployment?

    • Hi Crystal,

      You will have to serve a waiting week during which you will have to file a weekly claim but will not receive any pay. It might take a couple of weeks for you to receive the determination letter from the unemployment office.

  29. i received regular unemployment benefits in the state of washington but i am about exsaust my benefits ther if i still cant find a job can ifile for an extension in another state

  30. I work as a merchandiser for Coca Cola and will be resigning so I can care for my elderly parents who reside 3 hours from Albuquerque. My father, age 89, has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, leaving my 83 year old mother to care for him. I plan to move to Logan, NM to care for my father. I have worked for Coca Cola for approximately 1 year. Will I be eligible for unemployment compensation?

  31. I was employed in the state of New Mexico, however I live in Texas. With whom do I file unemployment? Texas or New Mexico?

    • Hi Laura,

      You should be able to file unemployment benefits in New Mexico as you were last employed in that state.

  32. I have been injured in a car accident and fractured my nect 1 month ago. Operation is schedule in 1 month and 1 month to recover. Can I receive unemployment? Or can I get temporary disability assistance?

    • Hi Evelyn,

      If you are unable to or unavailable to work, then you cannot receive unemployment benefits. Please check if you are eligible to receive temporary disability benefits.

    • Is there a reason I’ve been on hold for my unemployment benefits for two months. Gonna have to start living on the street.

      • Jaime,

        I can understand your situation. There will be a delay considering the number of applications that are being processed. Please continue chasing the office/check your status online at regular intervals until payments normalize.

  33. How long does it take to start getting checks on EUC benifits
    It says eligeble its been five weeks can you help

    • Me and my husband came from Honolulu, Hawaii and we presently staying for good here at Roswell. New Mexico do I qualify for a relocation benefits

  34. I filed for un employment in the middle of April and have not heard anything from you, nor have I received any forms to fill out. Can you please check on my account for me.

    Thank you
    Norman Riggin

  35. do I need to reapply for benefits after 6 months my statement said I was good for 1 year.MY ACCT only shows a little money left.not sure if they automatic restart or do I need to requalify over again. I just want a good job so I do not have to file,but no luck yet

  36. My unemployment benefits have been on hold for 3 weeks because I am a student and the office has yet to process my schedule to release my benefits again! I have bills to pay! What can I do??

  37. I have a temporary disability – fractured foot in three places that is not healing.
    I am getting short term disability with insurance from work but if they let me go (fire me) will I be eligible for unemployment? If not right away then when would I be?

    I also wanted to ask since I am getting a portion of my pay while on short term disability can I collect unemployment at the same time?

    • Hi Shannon,

      You should be able and available to work in order to be eligible to receive unemployment benefits. Once you are able to work, you may start collecting unemployment benefits.

  38. I was given notice of my termination last night, but will be allowed to work until June 5. At what point can I file for benefits? Do I have to wait til I am through working, or can I get the process going now so that I can recieve benefits shortly after my job ends?

    • Hi Valerie,

      You cannot file for benefits until you are unemployed. Since you are allowed to work till June 5th, you can go ahead and keep all the necessary documents ready and file for unemployment the next day. Please note that you will have to serve a waiting week during which you will not receive benefits.

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