COVID-19 Possibly Pushing NH Unemployment to 20%, Officials State

According to state employment officials, unemployment in New Hampshire could reach 20% due to the COVID-19 pandemic, reports WMUR.

Last week, 9,491 NH citizens filed for unemployment. This was down approximately 3,000 from the week prior. According to Deputy Commissioner of Employment Security, the numbers are going in the right direction, but show that people in the state are clearly hurting. Since the pandemic began, NH has paid out $400 million dollars in benefits, which according to Levers is, “more than we paid out during the highest benefit year during the Great Recession.” The unemployment rate will become clearer when numbers come out next Tuesday.

Reportedly, NH saw fewer than 1,000 claims filed per week before the COVID-19 pandemic.