New Mexico Unemployment Benefit Questions

New Mexico Unemployment Benefits

Navigating the New Mexico unemployment insurance program can bring up a lot of questions. Here are some of the most common ones people have while going through the process.

How do I file a claim for unemployment benefits in New Mexico?

You can apply for unemployment benefits in New Mexico by internet or by phone.

The fastest way to apply is online using the Unemployment Insurance and Claims system.

If you don’t have access to a computer or require the assistance of a live representative, you can visit your local New Mexico Workforce Connection Center or call the Department of Workforce Solutions UI operations center.

How much is unemployment in New Mexico?

Unemployment compensation is based on your previous earnings and the number of dependents living in your home. As of 2023, the minimum weekly benefit amount is $96 and the maximum weekly benefit amount is $565.

You can calculate your weekly benefit amount by visiting our New Mexico Unemployment Calculator.

How long does New Mexico unemployment take to process?

Once you meet the waiting week requirements, your claim for unemployment benefits should be processed within a few business days of filing your second weekly claim. Once your weekly claim for benefits is processed, it can take up to three business days for the payment to reach your account.

When does my weekly claim start?

You can file a new claim for benefits once the week has ended. The week starts each Sunday and ends the following Saturday. The online system to file weekly claims is available Sunday through Friday, 24 hours per day. The phone system is available Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. MST.

Be sure to file your weekly claim on time. This typically means filing once per week. Failure to do so may result in payment delays or could lead to benefits being paused.

How do I check the status of my claim in New Mexico?

You can check the status of your claim by logging into the New Mexico Unemployment Insurance System or by calling the UI operations center.

I was temporarily laid off, do I still have to search for a new job?

If you have been temporarily laid off by your employer for a period of four weeks or less and there is a specific date for your return to work, you may not need to worry about meeting the work search requirements.

However, to qualify for this exemption, you must provide a letter from your employer that confirms your return date. You will also need to report any vacation or holiday pay you receive during that time.

Can I file an unemployment claim with another state?

While you can’t file for unemployment benefits in more than one state, you can file a combined wage claim to potentially increase your weekly benefit amount.

To find out if you are eligible for a combined wage claim in New Mexico, talk to a customer service agent at the UI operations center. They will be to help you decide what the best options are for your claim for benefits.

Please note that you will need to provide information about all the employers you have worked for in the past 18 months.

What happens if I lie to get unemployment benefits in New Mexico?

When filing an initial claim for benefits, it is important to provide truthful and accurate information. It is also essential that you report all weekly earnings, including money from a pension or retirement account. Failure to do so could lead to issues such as overpayments, delays, or even a denial of future benefits.

Giving misleading or false information when filing a claim for benefits is considered unemployment insurance fraud, which is against the law and may result in legal punishment.

Who pays for New Mexico unemployment insurance?

The money that funds unemployment insurance benefits comes from taxes that New Mexico employers pay, not from the money that employees earn. Employers are not allowed to take money from your wages to pay for unemployment taxes. This is against the law, and the employer can get in serious trouble for doing so.

Can you work part time and receive unemployment benefits?

It depends on how many hours you work and how much money you earn. If you do receive benefits while working part-time, you still need to be ready, able, and willing to accept permanent work that is at least 20 hours per week.

You’re allowed to earn up to 20% of your weekly benefit amount without affecting the payment you receive. If you earn more than the 20% limit, your benefit payment will be reduced dollar for dollar until you no longer qualify for benefits.

How do I stop my unemployment claim?

Once you return to working full-time, you can stop filing weekly claims for benefit payments.

If you start working again in the middle of the week, you should inform the department about how much money you earned for that particular week in your weekly request for benefits or certification.

Are unemployment benefits subject to taxes?

Yes. Unemployment income is subject to federal taxes. When filing for New Mexico unemployment benefits, you will be given the option to have 10% of your weekly benefit amount withheld for federal taxes.

How can I receive dependency allowance?

You may be eligible for a “Dependents Allowance” of $25.00 for each verified dependent under the age of 18, for up to two dependents. You will be asked to provide dependents details when filing your claim.

  1. My account says my unemployment was paid yesterday, but nothing has been deposited into my bank account. I double checked my account and routing number, and there are no mistakes. Why have I not received my deposit?

    • Raquel,

      Please note this is a private forum and we do not have access to your claim details. Please call the Claims Center for an update on payment.

  2. I was laid off and am 65. I’m not looking for another job. Can I apply for and get unemployment without having to pretend I’m looking for a job?

    • Penny,

      I can understand your situation. Unfortunately, UI benefits are only extended to those who’re able and available for work.

  3. I was full time then my hours were drastically reduced, i filed for unemployment to supplement my income and my emploer wrote me up saying me filing for unemployment is fraud because im still employed and now he has cut my hours to one hour a week

    • I am sorry to hear about the ordeal. Ideally, you should be able to claim partial UI benefits for the hours reduced.

      Please speak to the Unemployment Office to get instructions for further action.

  4. I am in New Mexico and was recently fired. I am going to school part time as I was working full time. A friend said that she was able to.stay on unemployment and go to school. Is this possible?

    • It depends if you’re doing a course approved by the government.

      Please call the Unemployment Office to find out more and apply accordingly.

  5. My unemployment its not deposited onto my direct deposit accout nor my state ddebit card, my then my unemployment page does say it was paid as of yesterday. What should I do? this has never happened before.

  6. If I am collecting unemployment and work par-time as a realtor and have an upcoming house closing how do I report that?

  7. I work for Sprint until 2/5 Sprint gave us a severance package paid out like a regular pay check. Can I still get unemployment?

    • If you want to contact them by phone, you can only do so during working days.

      Information can also be found on the official website.

  8. I applied for unemployment benefits back in March 2014, and was denied but filed for an appeal, but had lost contact, I can be reached at 505-258-0923 or by gmail

  9. If I quit my employment for a job closer to home, then got fired from most recent employment, can I draw unemployment benefits and whose employer account will pay the benefits?

    • UI is provided those who become unemployed involuntarily. Whose account is used is something best answered by the labor dept in your state.

    • Benefit amount is calculated by dividing the average of your wages in the 2 highest quarters of your base period by 22. A “Base period” is usually 4 of the last five calender quarters in your employment tenure.

  10. My claim is approved. I collect a few weeks then get a seasonal job that does not pay unemployment taxes to the state. Job ends, when I re-open the previous approved claim, do I have to wait another week before eligible for payment or can I certify and immediately pick where I left off?

  11. I’ve been diaapproved for benfits while working part time, on this page it says I can receive benfits while working part time and can earn up to 20% of my earnings. Also I pulled up the statues of law they cited and nothing there says I can’t receive benfits while working part time, what gives?

  12. Hello i was wondering if a status of active and a waiting week has been documented on the website ..does this mean i have been approved

  13. I look on line and ir says i was determined eligable on line says active but two more lines beneath day inactive ir makes. No sence to Me. I received two. Payments and now 8 weeks lateral i have. Nothing

  14. I havethe exact. Same problem as Fernando im in week 8 now. I lose. My car monday for lack of payment and my one yearold daughter needs more then u can imagine i dont. Undertand what is. Goin on here.i am. Losing all i have worked so Hardware for

  15. Why have i gotten approved and get paid then that same week my payments getput onhold twice filing the exact claim and now they cant make a decision on the claim i already got approved for before its been over 8 weeks and have had many of the supervisors work on it for the last three weeks and they have sent my prior employer a letter twice and they have not responded so still i am here three weeks later and the supervisors cant give me a straight my claim i firstfiled was july 7,2013 and i am now in oct 9,2013 do they really work on claims cuz this the first time injuly took 3 weeks now im going on over 8 weeks

    • While they are required to allow a specific amount of time for a response to inquiries, if there is no response they then make a determination based on the information available. Other than that, the only thing I can speculate is the volume of claims being handled slowing them down. Do you have any idea what caused them to contact the employer again at this time? I would recommend continuing to follow up. Can you check your claim status online? You may see a change in your status there faster than calling. If it changes to active watch for payments.

      • thankyou for respondin kathy and yeah i know the reason for the second letter isbecuase they never documented the first one sent August 27 i told and gave the fourth supervisor all the information the id number and the date the letter went out and she blew me off and said she has to do it herself and i docall everyday i have beenon the phone with them everyday since August and now its getting fustrating cause everytime i call they tell me something diff like i haveto fill out a form thats the reason for my claim so i fillit out that day contact them and speak to someone else and they say that the for wasnt nessasary its really frustrating becuase im about tolose my car and my kids thier house so i justwish they would get thier heads out and fix it since august they had a specialist teams and pushed up as high as it can go and still yet not even close to fixing it

  16. Can a person receive unemployment if they quit voluntarily due to harassment and/or employer not reconciling work problems that caused undue stress in the job?

  17. How long does an employer have to approve or deny a claim. This is already the fifth week and status of fact finding states completed however determination is still blank?

    • An employer does not approve or deny a claim – the unemployment office does. The employer has a specific time frame to respond. If no response is received by that time the unemployment examiner will make a decision based on information available (yours).

  18. I HAVE BEEN CERTIFING FOR 3-4 WEEKS NOW. I KNOW THAT I AM BEING PENALISED FOR AN OVER PAYMENT BUT HOW AM I EXPECTED TO SURVIVE WITHOUT ANY SOURCE OF INCOME WITH 2 DEPENDENTS AND NO GAS MONEY TO CONTINUE MY JOB SEARCHING?

    • Some states will allow payments, some states have amnesty programs – check out your state’s website and call them, send a letter of hardship (with name, social security #, phone number on every page).

    • Hi Harry,

      If you are currently drawing benefits in Mexico and not finding a job, You can search for work elsewhere. But, be sure to record your work search efforts without fail.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

https://fileunemployment.org