If you work near the New Hampshire-Vermont border, your income often involves more than a basic hourly rate. After an accident on the job, details like overtime, bonuses and union benefits can affect your average weekly wage, the number insurers use to calculate payments while you are out of work.
In many claims, the state where the accident occurred is the first place to look. However, the place where your employer hired you, where you usually perform your job and whether both states have jurisdiction over the claim may also matter.
How each state reviews your earnings history
New Hampshire and Vermont both review your earnings before the injury, but they do not use the same rules in every situation. In New Hampshire, the wage calculation usually starts with what you earned in the 26 weeks before the injury. If a longer lookback period better reflects your earnings, you may request a review of up to 52 weeks. Vermont generally reviews the 26 weeks before the injury.
What benefits and second jobs can change
Union or employer-paid benefits can make the calculation more complicated. Vermont may include certain noncash benefits, such as room, board, fuel or lodging, when they are part of your pay. However, a claims reviewer may treat some benefits differently depending on what they cover and whether your employer continues them during your work absence.
Multiple jobs can also complicate the calculation. New Hampshire and Vermont both have rules for having more than one job, but the details may depend on whether the jobs qualify under that state’s system. For example, if you have jobs in both states, you generally cannot combine those wages unless both employers carry coverage under the state system reviewing the claim.
What documents should you gather?
After an injury, save documents that show how you were actually paid, including:
- Pay stubs and wage statements
- Overtime and bonus records
- Union benefit information
- Benefit notices from your employer
- Wage records from a second job
These details can help show whether the weekly payment amount reflects your full earnings history rather than only your base rate.
Protecting your income while you recover
A cross-border claim can raise technical wage questions that are easy to miss while you recover. Reviewing pay and benefit records early can help you spot possible wage issues before they affect each payment.