 |
Max. Weekly Benefit Amount
$484 |
Max. Weeks of Benefits
26 |
Current Jobless Rate
6.2% |
$484
26
6.2%
Updated : February 16th, 2023
New Mexico Unemployment Benefits
The New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions offers Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits to those who lost their job through no fault of their own. The goal of the UI program is to provide temporary replacement of lost wages and encourage employers to provide stable employment. Read through the page to know more about the New Mexico unemployment benefits program.
Eligibility To Apply For UI Benefits In New Mexico
You must meet monetary and job separation requirements to be eligible for unemployment benefits in New Mexico.
Monetary Eligibility
You must meet the following requirements to monetarily qualify for unemployment benefits in New Mexico:
- You must have earned minimum covered wages as listed by Workforce Solutions in your base period
- You must have earned wages in at least two-quarters of your base period
Note that if you don’t have enough wages in your base period to be eligible for benefits, the Department will consider wages in your alternative base period.
In New Mexico, the base period is the first four of the five complete calendar quarters before the start date of your unemployment claim. Whereas the alternative base period is the last four completed calendar quarters preceding the first day of your benefit year.
Find out more about eligibility requirements
Job Separation
You qualify for unemployment benefits only if you are unemployed through no fault of your own. The Department will deny you benefits if you lose your job due to any of the following reasons:
- You quit your job without any good-cause reasons
- You were fired from your job due to misconduct
- You were fired from your job because you failed in drug and alcohol test
- You quit your job due to a lack of job satisfaction
- You were fired from your job because you breached the organization’s policies
- You were fired for a criminal conviction
Eligibility requirements – overview
Maintaining Eligibility
You must maintain your eligibility throughout the benefit year to continue to receive benefits without any difficulty. You can maintain your eligibility in the following ways:
- Be able to work – You must be able to work physically and mentally.
- Be available for work – You must be willing to take up a suitable job immediately.
- Accept a suitable offer – You must accept employment with a work nature similar to your previous job.
- Document work search activities – You must record all your work search activities, including interviews attended, a number of employers contacted, etc., and submit them to the Department whenever required.
- Register for work – You must register for work with the Department of Workforce Solutions within 14 days of your initial unemployment claim.
Find out on 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).
Online
You can apply for benefits online at www.jobs.state.nm.us. The Workforce recommends this method as it is one of the easiest and fastest ways to apply for benefits in the state.
Telephone
You can also file for benefits by telephone at 1-877-664-6984, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m-4:30 p.m. for self-service option call 1-877-NM4-MYUI (1-877-664-6984).
How To File Weekly Claims?
After filing an initial unemployment claim, you will need to certify each week for which you wish to receive benefits. You can file weekly certifications online or over the phone. Note that you must file Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m-5:00 p.m. if you are filing over the phone.
Learn how to claim weekly benefits
UI Benefits Amount
New Mexico unemployment benefits are 53.5% of your average weekly wage during the highest-paid quarter of your base period. The maximum weekly benefits amount you can receive in the state is $461, and the minimum is $86.
Benefits Calculator
You can use the benefits calculator to determine the estimated weekly unemployment benefit amount.
Know more about the Benefits Calculator
Things To Know After Filing An Application
There are a few aspects that you must know after applying for New Mexico unemployment benefits.
How Do I Get Paid?
Getting paid for your New Mexico unemployment is a simple process. You have two main options for getting paid – direct deposit or debit card. You can choose whichever method you prefer when filing your initial unemployment claim.
Direct Deposit
When you sign up for direct deposit, you will need to use a checking or savings account from an FDIC/NCUA approved US financial institution. To register for direct deposit, you will need to provide your nine-digit routing number, account number, and type of account. You can find all of this information on your checks, or you can contact your bank for the needed numbers. The provided information will then be verified by the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions.
Once your account information is verified (which can take up to a week), your unemployment benefits will be deposited directly into your account. If you wish to receive direct deposit, you will need to enter your account information directly through the Unemployment Insurance Tax & Claims System, as the information cannot be taken over the phone for security reasons.
Debit Card
Your other option is to receive your unemployment benefits via debit card. With this option, you will receive a Visa debit card within 7-14 days of your claim being approved. Your unemployment benefit payments from the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions will then be deposited directly to this debit card. With your first debit card, you’ll receive an instruction packet that will provide you with all the necessary information to use the card. Once your benefits have been deposited to your debit card, they cannot be moved to another account.
As a benefit recipient, it is your responsibility to ensure that all financial information is up-to-date and current. You can update your financial information at any time using the Unemployment Insurance Tax and Claims system. Note that it can take time for the system to update, which may result in you receiving a paper check in the mail for at least a week after you initially enter your financial account information.
You may also receive a paper check if your direct deposit was rejected or returned by your financial institution. To avoid this happening, double-check all account numbers, names on the account, and that the account is active before submitting your financial information with your claim.
If you check the status of your unemployment benefits on the Unemployment Insurance Tax and Claims System, you may see that it shows paid even if the funds have not reached your account. This may happen because it can take up to three days for the amount to be deposited into your account or a debit card.
Overpayments
At times, you may receive unemployment overpayments due to various reasons, including administrative errors, false statements, or reversal of previously awarded rewards. If you receive an overpayment, the New Mexico Workforce Solutions will send a notice which includes details regarding the repayment process.
Note that the overpaid amount must be repaid, failing to which the Workforce Solutions will withhold your lottery winnings, federal income tax return and will also deduct the extra amount from your future benefits to recover the extra payment made.
Overpayment Through Fraudulent Practices
If you receive overpayments due to willful misinterpretation or false statements, you will be required to pay the penalty in addition to repaying the amount. You will also be disqualified from receiving benefits and may face criminal charges.
Benefits Extension
Normally, you can receive benefits for a maximum of 26 weeks. But if the state’s unemployment is too high, the Department may provide extended benefits. Visit the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions to know more about the extended benefits.
Job Training Assistance
The New Mexico Workforce Connection is the official online portal for a job hunt in New Mexico. The portal lists a range of services for job seekers like:
WorkKeys – It is a job skills assessment system that measures skills required to succeed in a job.
The Workforce Investment Act (WIOA) – It is an employment and training program that helps dislocated workers and other eligible adults access the necessary tools required to manage their careers.
In addition, the New Mexico Workforce Connection portal also provides information on the upcoming workshops and lists Workforce connection offices throughout the state.
New Mexico Phone Numbers
Find the below-listed phone numbers of unemployment offices in New Mexico:New Mexico Unemployment Office Numbers
| Claims center | 1-877-NM-4-MYUI(1-877-664-6984) |
| Overpayments/ Collections | 1-877-664-6984 |
| Unemployment fraud hotline | 505-243-7283 |
| Unemployment Appeals | 1-800-227-7325 |
Locate your nearest unemployment office
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.
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.
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.
how do i file to extend my claim
Nick,
Please login online to check for availability of EB.
I have a hold on my unemployment how can I get it lifted off so I can be able to use my benifits
I don’t think they care at all. I have just about given up. Already evicted, so hell with it.
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.
I am not sure if you can reverse once submitted. Please check under “Resources” or “FAQs”.
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!
Daniel,
Please try checking your payment status online.
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
Emily,
It looks like you’ve approved. Please look out for a “Letter of Determination”.
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.
I live here in NewMexico I’m retired on social security I was laid off my job can I get unemployment ?
i never apply for unelpoment i lost my job
I need my password reset but I cannot log on to my email account to reset password
Paul,
You should be able to find an option online.
Michael,
If you continue seeking employment, you can be eligible. Please call the Unemployment Office for clarification.
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.
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. ?
If I receive severence pay for 10 weeks biweekly payments, will I be able to file for unemployment after I run out of severence pay?
Correct. Please file after the expiry of the Severance payout.
Yes, they will have a say. Please speak to the Unemployment Office to ascertain the effect.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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?
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.
Why?
??????????
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.
Call 505-383-2700 or go to https://www.dws.state.nm.us/Contact.aspx for further contact information.
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
It is possible you can file a claim for the reduced hours.
i have an appeal pending how can i find progress
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.
am i still eligable for unemployment benefit. i want 2 check all of it.
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.
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?
You may have to file in New Mexico.
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
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.
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
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.
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?
How many consecutive days must I be out of work before I can file for Unemployment Compensation?
certification
How long does it take to make a decision on my unemployment claim?
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.
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
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?
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.
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.
How many week’s dose it take to
receive the money?
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.
Relocation from Hawaii to Roswell, New Mexico
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
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
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
Can APS Substitute teachers get unemployment during summer months?
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??
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.
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.