New Mexico Unemployment

New Mexico Unemployment Benefits

The New Mexico Department of Workforce Services administers the state’s unemployment insurance benefits program, which provides temporary financial assistance to qualified New Mexico workers who meet program requirements. 

Funding for UI benefits in New Mexico comes from employer payroll taxes. No money for the program ever is deducted from employee wages or earnings.

New Mexico Unemployment Services

How To Qualify for New Mexico Unemployment Benefits

New Mexico requires the following to be true for individuals to be considered eligible for UI benefits:

• A claimant must be unemployed through no fault of his or her own, as outlined by New Mexico law.

• A claimant must be able to work – physically, emotionally, and mentally capable of working during any week for which unemployment benefits are sought. You cannot collect benefits if you are sick, injured, or disabled.

• A claimant must be available to accept suitable work when it is offered – in other words, ready to start a job immediately, with no obstacles to accepting work such as transportation or childcare issues

• A claimant must be an active job seeker – proactively searching for work or means of income.

Benefit Payments and Duration

How Do I Apply for New Mexico Unemployment Benefits?

You can apply for New Mexico UI benefits online or over the phone at 877-664-6984. Agents are available to help you Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. The first time you use the New Mexico jobs website, you will be asked to create an account. You will need a valid email address that you can check regularly since future communications will come to this address. It also will be used for account and weekly benefit management and security purposes.

Once you’ve created your account, you will be directed to the My Workforce Connection page which will allow you to register as part of the New Mexico Workforce Connection’s online system. Then you can access the Unemployment Insurance Tax & Claims System by selecting Unemployment Insurance under the Quick Menu.

Managing Your New Mexico Unemployment Benefits

Each week that you submit a claim for weekly UI benefits, you’ll be asked to answer questions about your job search activities, along with your continued ability to accept suitable work when it is offered. You may submit your weekly claim online or over the phone at 877-664-6984.

Unless you gain an official exemption, you will need to conduct a minimum of two work searches per week for every week you claim benefits. You will be required to keep a log of all work search activity, and the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions may request documentation of your work search for audit purposes at any time.

How Do I Appeal a Decision?

If the New Mexico Department of Workforce Services denies your claim, you will receive an official Notice of Disqualification in writing. This notice will include a Request for Hearing packet. that will provide all the specific information you need to request an appeal. Your employer also may request an appeal if unsatisfied with the decision regarding your initial claim.

You may file an appeal online through the same New Mexico Workforce Connections account you used to submit your initial claim and each weekly claim.

Your request for appeal moves your claim before the Department of Workforce Services Appeals Tribunal. You will then participate in a telephone hearing before an administrative law judge, where you, along with your former employer, will provide sworn testimony about your claim.

Reporting UI Fraud in New Mexico

People who commit UI fraud face serious penalties in New Mexico, including any of the following:

• Legal prosecution

• Jail or prison sentences

• Property liens

• Forced repayment of improperly collected UI benefits – plus penalties and fines

• Garnished wages

• Forfeiture of future income tax refunds

• Ineligibility to collect UI benefits in the future

If you have information about potentially fraudulent UI benefits activity, you are strongly encouraged to report it online or call the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions UI fraud line at 505-24-FRAUD (505-243-7283).

New Mexico Unemployment Office Locations