New Hampshire Unemployment Claims Continue Steady Downward Path

CONCORD, NH — New unemployment insurance claims in New Hampshire continue to be about three times higher than the record low numbers from February but are on a steady downward trend since the new coronavirus pandemic.

The U.S. Department of Labor reported 2,430 Granite Staters filed for unemployment for the week ending Aug. 8 — a couple of hundred people fewer than the previous week but about half what they were just a month ago. The numbers have been in the 2,900 to 6,000 range since late May but are much lower than the worst week in the history of the state on April 4 when more than 36,000 people filed.

Continuing claims in New Hampshire also saw a decline — meaning that people are returning to work.

"Continuing claims (by individuals who remain unemployed and file a 'continuing claim' for unemployment insurance) is an important metric in assessing New Hampshire’s progress of economic recovery from pandemic-required restrictions and related economic effects," the state said. "New Hampshire continues to have the lowest number of continuing claims as a percentage of the state’s pre-COVID labor force of any state in the Northeast."

Through late July, Manchester, Nashua and Concord, the three most populous communities in the state, continue to be hit the hardest with layoffs, with Dover, Rochester, and Portsmouth to follow. Food Services and Drinking Places, Administrative and Support Services, Ambulatory Health Care Services, Educational Services, and Social Assistance continue to be the sectors with the most claims filed as well as continuing claims.

Nearly 60 percent of transit and ground passenger transportation workers, the highest percentage of employees out of work, remain unemployed followed by accommodation employees. More than 26 percent of those workers are still out of work despite rehires and the tourist season seeing an uptick in business in the state — although at much lower levels than the past.

Of all 13 Patch communities, Concord has the highest unemployment rate, 11.1 percent, while Hampton has the lowest at 1 percent. Amherst, Bedford, Exeter, Londonderry, Merrimack, Milford, North Hampton, and Salem are between 6.9 and 8.7 percent. Nashua and Portsmouth have around 9.3 percent of its residents collecting unemployment. Windham is at 6.1 percent.

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