How do I report Unemployment Insurance fraud?

If you have information or would like to report Unemployment Insurance (UI) fraud activity, please call the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions UI fraud line at 505-24-FRAUD (505-243-7283).

What is Unemployment Insurance Fraud?

Unemployment Insurance is a safety net program that provides temporary income support to qualified unemployed workers who have lost their job through no fault of their own. Everyone who collects UI benefits is legally responsible for making sure they meet and follow eligibility requirements as set by New Mexico state law. It is a crime to intentionally provide false information about your salary or work history, or to knowingly collect UI benefits based on inaccurate information.

UI fraud costs everyone money. It drives up UI taxes for businesses, impacts honest people with legitimate jobless claims, and puts a strain on New Mexico’s unemployment trust fund.

Examples of Unemployment Insurance Fraud

  • An individual returns to work but continues to collect UI benefits.
  • An individual works a part-time job but does not report his or her earnings to the state, thereby collecting more benefits than he or she is allowed.
  • An individual performs temporary work while collecting UI benefits but does not report the earnings when filing his or her weekly claim.
  • An individual holds back information or gives false information to the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions.

What are the consequences?

People who commit UI fraud face serious penalties, including:

  • Prosecution by government authorities
  • Possible jail or prison sentences
  • Liens placed on property
  • Forced repayment of improperly collected UI benefits plus substantial penalties and fines
  • Ineligibility to collect UI benefits in the future

If you think you may have committed UI fraud, call the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions immediately at 1-877-664-6984. A Customer Service Agent will listen to you and help you address the issue.

Unemployment Insurance Fraud Flyer - PDF

How do I access online claims options? What are the online options?

To access the online options you must go to the New Mexico Workforce Connection online system at www.jobs.state.nm.us. In order to access the UI Tax & Claims system you must first log in to the New Mexico Workforce Connection Online system. Once you are logged in click on "Unemployment Insurance" located under the Quick Menu on the left. A pop up window will open with login information for the UI Tax & Claims system.

NOTE: If you do not see the screen appear, make sure you have disabled your pop-up blocker from your internet settings. once you have disabled the pop-up blocker, click on "Unemployment Insurance" again and the login screen should appear. 

If you have never applied for benefits from New Mexico before click on "Apply for Benefits in the top left of the pop-up screen. If you already have an account, log in with your Social Security Number (SSN) and password. If you had a claim with the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions in the past that required the use of a four digit PIN and have not created an account online, enter your Social Security Number and four-digit Telephone Claims/Certification PIN (in the password box) and select "Login." This will prompt you to create a new password.

The UI Tax & Claims system online options include:

  • Check payment Status
  • Change payment method (from direct deport to debit card and vice versa)
  • View your tax information (1099G)
  • Certify for benefits
  • View an appeals decision
  • View correspondence

How do I get my benefits after I completed filing my claim?

After you have applied for and have been determined eligible for benefits, a weekly certification or "Request Benefit Payment" must be filed for each week for which you are applying for benefits. You must submit your weekly certifications on time, and you can certify Sunday through Friday of each week.

Please Note: The first eligible week of any new claim is a "waiting week." You will not receive benefits for this week and it is not included in your weeks of payment.

Your certifications can be filed through the online system at www.jobs.state.nm.us (4:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sunday through Friday) or by calling 1-877-664-6984 using a touch-tone telephone. Customer Service Agents (CSAs) are available in the UI Operations Center, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

If you have an outstanding issue or an appeal, you should continue to certify weekly until a determination is sent to you. If you are cleared for benefits, you will be paid for all weeks certified (except for the "waiting week").

There is an issue regarding my claim. How do I proceed? What are some of the separation issues that can come up?

Certain claim issues relate to the eligibility requirements of Unemployment Insurance. Issues can include: if you have become a student; are unable or unavailable for work; if you have moved; if you are working; and if you are not actively seeking work. Issues on a claim can sometimes take a few weeks for a decision to be made.

If your claim issue relates to a separation issue, NMDWS’ adjudication unit will contact you. For a separation issue, you and your employer will be asked to describe the circumstances surrounding your employment separation. Based on the information provided, a claims adjudicator will issue a decision within a few weeks in accordance with New Mexico Unemployment Insurance law. The decision may delay or deny payment. You will receive a written determination within 4-8 weeks from your date of initial claim. If you are denied benefits and you do not agree, you may appeal the decision within 15 days from the date of determination. You should continue to certify if you are appealing the determination.

Once I file a claim, how do I start my job searches?

The New Mexico Workforce Connection Centers offer a wide array of free services and resources to help you become reemployed. There are resources for job information and openings, and assistance for pursuing education goals, training or apprenticeships. In addition, Workforce Connection Offices offer free computer access and a variety of workshops to help you achieve your job search or career goals. To find the New Mexico Workforce Connection near you, visit our website www.dws.state.nm.us and click on "Office Locations" located at the top right hand corner of the screen.

How do I find information about work search requirements?

If you are requesting to certify for your weekly benefits, you will be required to report your work search contacts at the time that you certify. Unless exempted by the department, you are required to make a minimum of two different work search contacts every week to qualify for benefits. You will need to report the date of your contact, the type of work it was, the employer's name, the person or website address, the type of contact, contact information (such as phone number or web address), and what was the result of your contact. Please have this information readily available at the time you certify or your benefits may be delayed.

More information is available at www.dws.state.nm.us/Unemployment-Insurance/UI-Information/Work-Search-Requirement-Information.

How do I change my payment method from direct deposit to debit card or vice versa?

Changing your preferred payment method can be done via the online UI Tax & Claims system (www.jobs.state.nm.us). Please note, you may receive a paper check (warrant) in the mail during the transition to your new payment method for at least the first week after you make the change in our system. For information about the Wells Fargo Debit Cards, visit www.dws.state.nm.us, and click on the information available under the "Unemployment Insurance" header and the "Debit Card Information" column.

How do I report my change of address?

You can change your address by logging into your account through the online UI Tax & Claims System (www.jobs.state.nm.us), available Sunday through Friday from 4:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. You can also report your change of address to a Customer Service Agent (CSA) through the 1-877-NM-4-MYUI (1-877-664-6984) toll-free number. The UI Operations Center is open from 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday.

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