A new modern-low number of bankruptcy filings were filed in September in New Hampshire, with fewer than 50 recorded.

Forty-eight individuals and businesses filed for protection in September.

The last time that number of monthly filings was reached was in January 1988 — two months after bankruptcy law was changed making it difficult for people to seek bankruptcy protection.

The previous modern record was set this past June, when there were 51 filings. Before that, there were 54 in January.

September filings totaled 15 fewer than August and 23 fewer than the number filed in September 2020.

For historical perspective, in September 2010, there were 481 bankruptcy filings in the state — 10 times the number filed this September.

Bankruptcies have been at low levels since the pandemic began in March 2020, which most experts chalk up to the massive amount of federal money and protections established in the wake of Covid-19. While the state stopped paying out extra federal unemployment benefits in June, other federal aid has been arriving through the American Rescue Plan Act, and there is the chance of Congress passing more legislation.

The number of filings by Granite State businesses is also down. Three personal bankruptcies contained business-related debt, compared to four in August.

One business filed directly, compared to two in August:

• G&J Transportation LLC, East Kingston, filed Sept. 10, Chapter 11. Assets: $1,593,307. Liabilities: $1,079,000.

— BOB SANDERS