New Mexico Unemployment Benefits

The UI program provides temporary wages replacement and encourages employers to offer stable employment. You can read the following page to learn more about New Mexico’s unemployment benefits program.

New Mexico UI Benefits: Eligibility

To be eligible for New Mexico unemployment benefits, you must meet certain monetary and job-separation requirements.

Monetary Eligibility

To monetarily be eligible for New Mexico unemployment benefits, you must meet these requirements:

• In your base period, you must have earned the minimum wage as specified by Workforce Solutions.
• At least two-quarters must have been spent earning wages during your base period

The Department may consider your alternate base period if there are not enough wages during your base period for you to be eligible.
The base period in New Mexico is the first four complete calendar quarters preceding the date you file for unemployment. The alternative base period, on the other hand, is the four complete calendar quarters prior to the start of your benefit year.

Separation from your job

• You have quit your job for no good reason
• Your misconduct led to your dismissal from your job
• Because you failed the drug and alcohol tests, your job was terminated
• A lack of job satisfaction leads to you quitting your job.
• Because you broke the company’s policies, your job was terminated
• For a criminal conviction, you were fired

Maintaining Eligibility

To continue receiving benefits without difficulty, you must keep your eligibility current throughout the benefit year. These are the ways you can keep your eligibility.

1. You must be able to work.
2. You must be available to work.
3. You must accept a job offer that is similar to your last job.
4. Document your work search activities You must keep track of all your work search activities, including interviews, attended and contacted employers, and submit them to Department when required.
5. Register for Work – Within 14 days of filing your initial unemployment claim, you must register with the Department of Workforce Solutions.

How To Apply For UI Benefits In New Mexico?

New Mexico offers two options for filing for unemployment benefits: online and by phone.

Online

You can apply for benefits online at www.jobs.state.nm.us.

Telephone

1-877-6684-6984, Monday to Friday, 8:00 am-4:30 pm. Self-service options are available at 1-877NM4-MYUI (1-855-664-6984).

How to File Weekly Claims

After filing your initial unemployment claim you will need certification for each week you want to receive benefits. Online or by phone, you can file weekly certifications. If you file over the phone, you will need to file your weekly certifications Monday through Friday between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Things to Know After You File an Application

Overpayments

Sometimes, unemployment overpayments can be due to administrative errors, false statements, or reversed rewards. The New Mexico Workforce Solutions will notify you if an overpayment is made. It will also include details about the repayment process.
Please note that the amount overpaid must be repaid. If you fail to do so, Workforce Solutions will withhold any winnings from the lottery, federal income tax return, and also take the additional amount from future benefits in order to recover the payment.

Fraudulent practices can lead to overpayment

Overpayments received due to wilful misinterpretation of false statements or willful misinterpretation may result in you being required to pay the penalty along with the amount. You may also lose your benefits and face criminal prosecution.

Benefits of Extension

You can normally receive benefits for up to 26 weeks. If the state has high unemployment, the Department might offer extended benefits. For more information about extended benefits, visit the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions.

Employment Training Assistance

The official portal for job hunting in New Mexico is called the New Mexico Workforce Connection. This portal offers a variety of services to job seekers, including:
WorkKeys is a system to assess job skills and determine if you are able to perform well in a job.
The Workforce Innovation Act (WIOA) – This employment and training program helps dislocated workers, and other eligible adults, to access the tools they need to manage their careers.
The New Mexico Workforce Connection portal provides additional information about upcoming workshops as well as lists Workforce connection offices across the state.