Unemployment Application Instructions


In order to apply for Unemployment Insurance benefits, you'll need to turn in the UI application form as well as some additional documentation which will show your eligibility.

Download/Paper Application

There are several ways to find and turn in an application form:

  • You can visit : www.dws.state.nm.us/ Here you can find a lot of helpful information on Unemployment Insurance program. If you wish to apply, go to "Apply for Benefits", which is located under the "Unemployment Insurance" item on the main menu.
    - This is where you can also find links which will take you to web pages where you can file your weekly claims, or review your personal information.
  • You can also visit one of your local Workforce Solutions office, where you find application forms as well as any additional help you might need. A list of WC offices can be found here: : www.jobs.state.nm.us/vosnet/ContactUs
  • In case you'd like to apply via telephone, you can call 1-877-NM-4-MYUI (1-877-664-6984).

Additional documentation is needed to prove your eligibility. You'll usually get a list of the needed documentation based on your case, but in most cases this is what you'll need to gather:

  • Your identification
  • Proof that you're a New Mexico resident
  • In case an applicant is a non-citizen, alien registration number and expiration date are needed
  • Social Security Number
  • Family Income: salary stubs, payroll record, proof of SSS or Veteran's Administration benefits, bank books, real estate information and health plans
  • Contact information of employers you worked for in last 18 months
  • The starting and end dates of your last job
  • In case you've worked during the week you are applying, you'll need to know the gross amount of your pay

After you've successfully applied for UI benefits, you can expect receiving a Notice of Initial Determination. This document should provide you some helpful information like:

  • Your weekly as well as maximum benefit amounts
  • The beginning date of your claim
  • Amounts of your wages which will be used to calculate UI benefit amounts
  • Amounts of wages reported by your employers during each of the four quarter from the base period. A base period is the first four out of the completed five calendar quarter, calculating back from the date you're applying for UI benefits.

Eligibility Requirements

In order to be eligible for UI enrollment, you'll need to meet general and UI-specific requirements:

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • You need to be a U.S. resident or a legal alien.
    - You'll need to prove this by showing your U.S. passport, driver's license or any other official state-issued document. In case you're a legal alien, you'll need to show documents which will prove your immigration status.
  • You need to be a New Mexico resident.
    - In order to prove this, you can simply show your ID card or driver's license.

UI-SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS:

  • You need to show that you've lost your job through no fault on your own.
    - Some cases of eligible situations are: if you were laid off because of lack of work; if your hours were cut back because of lack of work; if you were fired without a good reason; if you've quit your job because of the unhealthy or dangerous working conditions; if you were forced to quit.
  • You need to be physically and mentally able to work.
  • You need to show that you're actively searching for a job.
  • You need to show that you've collected wages (had regular income) in two quarters of your base period.
  • You need to show that you've worked in New Mexico.
  • Finally, you need to show that you didn't file a different claim for UI benefits in New Mexico during the previous year.

Most unapproved claims show that applicants were not eligible due to the reason they've lost or quit their job. These are some of the situations which could make you ineligible for UI enrollment:

  • If you've quit your job without a good cause, for example: if you didn't get along with your co-workers.
  • If you were fired with a good cause, for example: if you misbehaved or if you were irresponsible
  • If you've lost your job because you were convicted of a felony or misdemeanor
  • If you don't plan on looking for a new job
  • If you haven't collected wages in the last two quarters of your base pay period