Title: Unemployment insurance while you look for work or Pathway to Work (self-employment), New Hampshire? > Side by side, so you can choose the route that fits. You can’t be on both at once. Source: https://pontia.xyz/us/compare/ui-searching-vs-sea-nh/ Checked: 25 September 2026 # Unemployment insurance while you look for work or Pathway to Work (self-employment), New Hampshire? Side by side, so you can choose the route that fits. You can’t be on both at once. RecommendedUnemployment insurance while you look for work Pathway to Work (self-employment), New Hampshire ### What it is Unemployment insurance while you look for work Your state pays unemployment insurance while you look for work. You search for work every week and report any earnings. In most states, starting to run a business ends your eligibility, so use this time to plan, and ask about Self-Employment Assistance if your state has it. Pathway to Work (self-employment), New Hampshire Keep your weekly unemployment benefit while you work full time on a new business, with training and SBDC counseling, no work search, and business income not deducted. Apply early: within 60 days of your first claim. ### Job search · Before you’re approved Unemployment insurance while you look for work — Pathway to Work (self-employment), New Hampshire Job search required. Until you are accepted in writing, you are on regular unemployment: keep searching for work every week. ### Job search · While you’re on it Unemployment insurance while you look for work Job search required. On unemployment insurance you must look for work every week, keep a record of your contacts, and report them when you certify. How many contacts depends on your state. Pathway to Work (self-employment), New Hampshire No job search required. Once accepted, the work search, availability and job-refusal rules are waived. You work full time on the business. ### Your business work can count Unemployment insurance while you look for work — Pathway to Work (self-employment), New Hampshire — ### If you earn money Unemployment insurance while you look for work Report all earnings every week when you certify. Your state ignores a small amount and then reduces your benefit (see your state’s page); in most states, working in your own business can end your eligibility. Pathway to Work (self-employment), New Hampshire Your weekly benefit isn’t reduced by what your business earns. Keep certifying and reporting as your state asks. ### What you must do to keep getting it Unemployment insurance while you look for work - Certify every week and report all earnings, including from any side business. - In most states, running a business means you are not unemployed. Plan and prepare, but check your state’s rule before you trade: Pennsylvania counts the “first positive step”. - If your state runs Self-Employment Assistance, apply BEFORE starting, and keep searching for work until you are accepted in writing. Pathway to Work (self-employment), New Hampshire - Apply within 60 days of your first claim, with at least 18 weeks of benefits left. Start with the orientation at a local NHWorks office (bring form NHES 0401). - Do NOT start trading before written acceptance. - Keep certifying every week and complete the required training and counseling. - Missing training or milestones can cost you weeks of benefit or your place. ### If you take or turn down a job Unemployment insurance while you look for work Refusing suitable work can disqualify you from benefits. Only apply for jobs you would take. Pathway to Work (self-employment), New Hampshire Taking a job ends Self-Employment Assistance; report it when you certify. | | RecommendedUnemployment insurance while you look for workIf you lost your job through no fault of your own | Pathway to Work (self-employment), New Hampshire | | --- | --- | --- | | What it is | Your state pays unemployment insurance while you look for work. You search for work every week and report any earnings. In most states, starting to run a business ends your eligibility, so use this time to plan, and ask about Self-Employment Assistance if your state has it. | Keep your weekly unemployment benefit while you work full time on a new business, with training and SBDC counseling, no work search, and business income not deducted. Apply early: within 60 days of your first claim. | | Job search · Before you’re approved | — | Job search required. Until you are accepted in writing, you are on regular unemployment: keep searching for work every week. | | Job search · While you’re on it | Job search required. On unemployment insurance you must look for work every week, keep a record of your contacts, and report them when you certify. How many contacts depends on your state. | No job search required. Once accepted, the work search, availability and job-refusal rules are waived. You work full time on the business. | | Your business work can count | — | — | | If you earn money | Report all earnings every week when you certify. Your state ignores a small amount and then reduces your benefit (see your state’s page); in most states, working in your own business can end your eligibility. | Your weekly benefit isn’t reduced by what your business earns. Keep certifying and reporting as your state asks. | | What you must do to keep getting it | - Certify every week and report all earnings, including from any side business. - In most states, running a business means you are not unemployed. Plan and prepare, but check your state’s rule before you trade: Pennsylvania counts the “first positive step”. - If your state runs Self-Employment Assistance, apply BEFORE starting, and keep searching for work until you are accepted in writing. | - Apply within 60 days of your first claim, with at least 18 weeks of benefits left. Start with the orientation at a local NHWorks office (bring form NHES 0401). - Do NOT start trading before written acceptance. - Keep certifying every week and complete the required training and counseling. - Missing training or milestones can cost you weeks of benefit or your place. | | If you take or turn down a job | Refusing suitable work can disqualify you from benefits. Only apply for jobs you would take. | Taking a job ends Self-Employment Assistance; report it when you certify. | Unemployment insurance while you look for work [Add this to my plan](https://pontia.xyz/us/start/?from=compare&scheme=us-ui-searching&status=have)[What is this, and what do I have to do?](https://pontia.xyz/us/guide/ui-searching/) Pathway to Work (self-employment), New Hampshire [Add this to my plan](https://pontia.xyz/us/start/?from=compare&scheme=us-sea-nh&status=applying&state=NH)[What is this, and what do I have to do?](https://pontia.xyz/us/guide/sea-nh/) This guide explains the official rules in plain words. It isn’t advice about your own claim: your adviser decides. Not a government service. Not financial, tax or legal advice. Cite this page "Unemployment insurance while you look for work or Pathway to Work (self-employment), New Hampshire?", Pontia, https://pontia.xyz/us/compare/ui-searching-vs-sea-nh/ (updated September 25, 2026) ## Related guides and tools - [Start your business without risking your benefits](https://pontia.xyz/us/) - [Your unemployment work search log, done in minutes](https://pontia.xyz/us/unemployment-work-search-log/) - [Start a business on unemployment: your state](https://pontia.xyz/us/self-employment-assistance-calculator/) - [Between school and work? 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