New Hampshire is patient with paperwork. You have two years from the date of injury to tell your employer and three years to file a claim. That is far more time than most states allow, though reporting right away still makes your case easier to prove.
The time that matters most comes after a denial. You can ask the Department of Labor for a hearing and the window to request it is 18 months from the date of the denial. Almost half of workers who appeal to the Department win.
New Hampshire weekly benefit amounts
Your check is 60% of your average weekly wage, but it can never be more than 100% of what you took home after taxes.
The state resets limits each July 1. For injuries on or after July 1, 2026, the rate table sets the top check at $2,323 a week and the minimum at $464.66. The cap is tied by law to 150 percent of the state's average weekly wage.
The first three days of disability go unpaid. If you are out more than 14 days, the insurer pays those days as well. Partial benefits, paid when you return at lower wages, stop after 262 weeks for injuries since February 8, 1994. Run your numbers through our payment calculator.
| Weekly check | 60% of your average weekly wage, never more than 100% of your after-tax pay |
|---|---|
| Weekly cap, injuries on or after July 1, 2026 | $2,323 |
| Weekly minimum, injuries on or after July 1, 2026 | $464.66 |
| How the cap is set | 150% of the state's average weekly wage for the year of injury |
| Waiting period | first 3 days unpaid, paid back if the disability lasts more than 14 days |
| Temporary partial benefits limit | 262 weeks, minus weeks paid as total disability (injuries from 2/8/94) |
Filing dates New Hampshire workers should know
| Step | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Notice of injury to your employer | Within two years of the injury |
| Claim for benefits | Within three years of the injury |
| Hearing request at the Department of Labor after a denial | Within 18 months of the denial |
| Appeal to the Compensation Appeals Board | No later than 30 days after the hearing decision |
The 30-day appeal window is short compared with the rest. Count it from the date on the decision itself. If the decision or the denial before it reads like legal code, paste the text into our letter decoder to see what it means for you.
Picking your own doctor in New Hampshire
You may choose your own doctor after a work injury and you have a right to a second opinion. The one exception: if the carrier uses managed care, your pick comes from its list. Make sure each doctor's note says the injury came from work and keep copies of every report you are given.
What a New Hampshire workers comp lawyer costs you
According to the Department of Labor, you do not pay out of pocket. The attorney is awarded 20% of your unpaid disability benefits if the appeal succeeds and you owe nothing if it fails.
For work done at the Department level, no attorney can charge a fee unless the commissioner approves it. Read our page on attorney fees for how this compares across states.
People also ask
Is there a waiting period before checks start?
Yes, three days. They are paid back if your disability lasts longer than 14 days.
Who do I call at the state?
The New Hampshire Department of Labor answers workers comp questions at (603) 271-3176. Have your claim number and injury date ready when you call.