Take 5: Status of Women report, gov. shutdown and workplace benefits

NH Business Review's biweekly snapshot of business and industry statistics

LAST week, the NH Women’s Foundation released their 2025 report of The Status of Women in New Hampshire, which features over 83 indicators for women’s well-being, health, safety, economic security and leadership in the Granite State. The report found that New Hampshire’s high cost of living puts a disproportionate burden on women, especially mothers, and more than half of NH women experience poor mental health. In addition, New Hampshire’s highest leadership roles are dominated by women, but women’s representation decreases at local levels. View the full report at nhwomensfoundation.org/status-of-women-nh.

NEW data from the 2025 Workplace Benefits Report by Bank of America shows that the number of employees seeking help with emergency savings, debt repayment and financial wellness has doubled since 2023, from 13% to 26%. Additionally, eight in 10 employers say financial wellness resources improve job satisfaction and productivity, yet less than half offer them.

WHEN comparing which states are the most and least affected by the government shutdown, WalletHub ranked New Hampshire as being among the least affected, ranked at No. 47. The Granite State was also among those states with the least percentage of families receiving SNAP benefits (food stamps). The most affected areas include D.C., Maryland and Virginia, which have the highest share of federal jobs and the most federal contract dollars per capita.

U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen, lead author of legislation that would permanently extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits, highlighted new data from the Urban Institute showing that 267,000 veterans who use ACA enhanced premium tax credits will be priced out of health care coverage if Congress does not extend these tax credits before the end of the year. Without the extension, 4 million Americans could lose their coverage and 20 million more could see significantly higher premiums.

A new study analyzing Environmental Investigation Agency data found that New Hampshire is predicted to have the sixth-hardest hit winter in the U.S., with this year’s household bills estimated to cost up to $159.40 per month. That is a 7.9% increase over average utility bills in the wintertime in 2024.