New Hampshire Assistance Programs: A Resource for State Support

Accessing New Hampshire assistance programs is a critical step for individuals and families facing financial hardship, food insecurity, or housing instability. The state’s support system is a network of interconnected agencies and services designed to provide a safety net for residents. Understanding where to begin can feel overwhelming, but the process can be broken down into three primary starting points: the state's centralized online portal, local community action agencies, and a directory of key statewide contacts for specific needs.

Accessing New Hampshire Assistance: Your First Steps

The initial challenge for many residents is identifying the correct agency or application for their specific situation. New Hampshire's system is structured around a main government department for core benefits, a network of local agencies for on-the-ground and emergency support, and specialized authorities for needs like housing.

The Role of NH EASY: Your Online Gateway to Services

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) serves as the main state agency for a wide array of foundational support programs. To streamline access to these benefits, the state operates NH EASY Gateway to Services, an official online portal that functions as a single point of entry for multiple forms of assistance. This centralized system is the most efficient way to apply for several key programs simultaneously.

These programs include:

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)  
• Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
• Financial Assistance to Needy Families (FANF) cash assistance 
• NH Child Care Scholarship Program

Residents can apply online at nheasy.nh.gov. For those without reliable internet access, applications can also be submitted by printing and mailing the required forms (such as Form 800, Application for Assistance) to a local DHHS District Office. After an application is submitted, the process may require additional steps to verify eligibility, such as an interview with a Family Services Specialist and the submission of documents proving household income and circumstances.

Connecting with Your Local Community Action Agency (CAA)

While DHHS manages statewide programs, the Community Action Partnership of NH (NHCAP) is a network of local, non-profit agencies that deliver direct, hands-on support within communities across the state. These Community Action Agencies (CAAs) are essential for administering specific federal and state programs and are often the first and best point of contact for residents facing an immediate crisis.

CAAs play a crucial role in providing emergency assistance, helping households with past-due rent to prevent eviction, connecting families with emergency food supplies, and administering utility and heating aid. They are the designated local providers for critical services like the Fuel Assistance Program (FAP) and the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). To find the appropriate local agency, residents can visit the CAPNH.org website or call the statewide 2-1-1 hotline, which connects callers to local resources.  

Key Contact Information for Statewide Help

The landscape of social services involves numerous agencies, each with a specific focus. This can create confusion for individuals trying to solve a problem without knowing which organization is responsible for which service. A person needing emergency rent money, for example, might not know whether to contact DHHS, a local CAA, or the state's housing finance authority. The following table organizes the primary points of contact by the type of need, providing a more intuitive roadmap for accessing help.

Support for Food and Nutrition

Food security is a cornerstone of individual and family well-being. New Hampshire offers several programs aimed at ensuring residents, particularly children and vulnerable adults, have consistent access to nutritious food.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): Help with Groceries

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps, provides monthly benefits to eligible low-income households via an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card. This card can be used like a debit card to purchase groceries. Eligibility is based on a household's income, resources, and certain expenses, with specific rules applying to households that include elderly or disabled members. The primary application method is through the state's NH EASY portal.

A critical feature of the state's assistance network is the way programs are interconnected. Approval for one benefit can automatically establish income eligibility for others. For instance, households that qualify for SNAP are often considered "adjunctively eligible" or automatically income-eligible for other vital programs, such as the WIC nutrition program and the National School Lunch Program. This systemic link means a single SNAP application can serve as a gateway to multiple forms of support, reducing the administrative burden on families. This connection is also leveraged by other state initiatives, such as the Work Now NH program, which specifically targets SNAP recipients to offer employment and training services.   

Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Nutrition for Young Families

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is a federally funded program that provides specific healthy foods, nutrition counseling, and healthcare referrals. It also offers breastfeeding support to pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, as well as to infants and children up to age five.

Eligibility for WIC is determined by four main criteria:

1. Categorical: Applicants must be pregnant, within six months of having given birth, breastfeeding up to one year, or a child under the age of five.
2. Residential: Applicants must live in New Hampshire.
3. Nutritional: A health professional must determine that the applicant is at "nutrition risk," which can be identified during a free, brief health screening at a WIC clinic.
4. Financial: Household income must fall below established limits. However, families receiving SNAP, Medicaid, or TANF are automatically considered income-eligible.

To apply, families can use an online pre-application tool, call the statewide WIC agency at 1-800-942-4321, or locate a nearby clinic through signupWIC.com. Applicants will need to bring proof of income, identity, and residency to their appointment, along with their child or proof of pregnancy.

School and Summer Meal Programs for Children

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is a federally assisted meal program that provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to children in public and nonprofit private schools. Families must submit an application each school year to determine eligibility for free or reduced-price meals. These applications are distributed by and submitted to local school districts, with many offering online portals for convenience. The New Hampshire Department of Education's Office of Nutrition Programs and Services provides official guidelines and forms for all participating schools.

When school is not in session, the risk of childhood hunger increases significantly. The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) was created to fill this gap by providing free, healthy meals to children and teens in low-income areas during the summer months. In New Hampshire, the NH Food Bank plays a key role in administering and supporting SFSP sites, particularly in rural counties, ensuring children continue to have access to nutrition year-round.

Finding Local Food Pantries and Soup Kitchens

For those in need of immediate food assistance, local food pantries and soup kitchens offer a direct source of help. The New Hampshire Food Bank is the sole food bank in the state, serving as the central distribution hub for a network of more than 400 partner agencies, including food pantries, shelters, and meal programs.

To find local food assistance, residents have several options:

• Use the interactive "Food Map" on the New Hampshire Food Bank website to locate a nearby partner agency.
• Check the Mobile Food Pantry schedule for drive-thru food distributions held in various communities across the state.
• Call 2-1-1 to be connected with local food resources.

Housing, Rent, and Utility Bill Assistance

Maintaining stable housing is a significant challenge for many low-income residents, particularly in a tight rental market. New Hampshire provides both long-term rental support and emergency interventions to help residents secure and keep their homes.

Rental Support Programs

The Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8)

The Housing Choice Voucher Program, often referred to as Section 8, is the federal government's primary program for assisting very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market. In New Hampshire, the program is administered by the New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority (NHHFA). Through this program, a qualified household pays a portion of their income (typically 30%) toward rent and utilities, and NHHFA pays the remaining balance directly to the landlord.

Understanding Eligibility and Wait Times

To be eligible for a Housing Choice Voucher, applicants must meet several requirements. These include:

• Having an annual household income that does not exceed 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
• Providing verification of Social Security numbers for all household members.
• Meeting HUD requirements on citizenship or eligible immigration status.

While the voucher program is a critical long-term support, it is not an immediate solution for a housing crisis. The demand for vouchers in New Hampshire far exceeds the available supply, resulting in an extensive waiting list. The estimated wait time for an applicant to receive a voucher can be as long as seven to nine years. This reality underscores the critical importance of emergency assistance programs for families facing imminent homelessness.

Emergency Housing and Homelessness Prevention

For individuals and families facing an immediate housing crisis, such as an eviction notice or homelessness, the first point of contact should be their local Community Action Agency (CAA). CAAs are equipped to provide emergency rent assistance to prevent eviction, offer case management, and help residents navigate the system of local shelters and other housing resources. While large-scale emergency rental programs funded in response to the COVID-19 pandemic have since closed, they demonstrated that the CAA network is the primary channel for distributing time-sensitive housing aid. Specialized housing programs may also be available through other organizations for specific populations, such as veterans or survivors of domestic violence.

Help with Heating and Electric Bills

The Fuel Assistance Program (FAP)

The New Hampshire Fuel Assistance Program (FAP), part of the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), provides grants to help income-eligible households with their winter heating bills. These benefits, which do not need to be repaid, are calculated based on household income, energy costs, and housing type. The goal is to provide the most assistance to those with the lowest incomes and highest energy burdens.

Lowering Energy Costs with the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)

The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) offers a long-term solution to high energy costs by providing free energy-efficiency improvements to the homes of low-income residents. Services may include adding insulation, sealing air leaks, and other measures to reduce energy consumption and lower utility bills. For both FAP and WAP, residents must apply through their local Community Action Agency. 

Financial and Cash Assistance Programs

Direct financial support is available for certain low-income families with children and for vulnerable adults who are elderly, blind, or disabled. These programs provide cash benefits to help meet basic needs.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF/FANF)

New Hampshire's Financial Assistance to Needy Families (FANF) program provides cash assistance to families with dependent children. This program is the state's implementation of the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant. To be eligible, the children must lack parental support due to the death, continued absence, disability, or unemployment of a parent. There is a 60-month lifetime limit for receiving FANF cash benefits.

Work Requirements and the NH Employment Program (NHEP)

Receipt of FANF cash assistance is generally contingent upon participation in the New Hampshire Employment Program (NHEP). NHEP is designed to help adults in families receiving assistance move toward self-sufficiency by providing job preparation, training, and employment support services.

State Supplemental Program (SSP): Support for Seniors and Disabled Adults

The State Supplemental Program (SSP) is a state-funded program that provides cash assistance to supplement the income of eligible individuals who are aged, blind, or disabled.

The program is divided into three main categories:

• Old Age Assistance (OAA): For New Hampshire residents who are 65 years of age or older.
• Aid to the Permanently and Totally Disabled (APTD): For residents between the ages of 18 and 64 who are determined by the state to be physically or mentally disabled.
• Aid to the Needy Blind (ANB): For residents of any age who are determined by the state to be legally blind.

Eligibility depends on an individual's income and resources. As a condition of eligibility for SSP cash assistance, applicants are typically required to apply for any federal benefits for which they may be eligible, such as Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). It is also important to note that the state may place a lien on any real property owned by a recipient of OAA, ANB, or APTD cash assistance to recover the cost of the aid provided.

Understanding the "Benefits Cliff"

A significant challenge for families receiving public assistance is the "benefits cliff." This phenomenon occurs when a small increase in earned income triggers a sudden and sharp loss of benefits that is worth more than the wage gain. For example, earning just a few dollars more per month could make a family ineligible for a child care scholarship or health insurance subsidy worth hundreds or thousands of dollars.

This creates a powerful disincentive to work and advance, effectively trapping families in poverty. The state of New Hampshire has acknowledged this systemic issue and is actively studying its effects. The goal is to develop potential solutions, such as graduated assistance models, that would smooth the transition off benefits as income rises.

Healthcare and Medical Coverage

Access to affordable healthcare is provided through NH Medicaid, a joint federal and state program that offers free or low-cost health coverage to various low-income populations.

An Overview of NH Medicaid

NH Medicaid covers a wide range of individuals, including eligible low-income adults, children, pregnant women, seniors, and people with disabilities. The program pays for essential healthcare services, from preventive care for children to long-term care for the elderly. Applications for all Medicaid programs are processed through the NH EASY online portal.

Medicaid Eligibility for Adults and the Granite Advantage Program

New Hampshire expanded its Medicaid program under the Affordable Care Act. The state's program, known as the Granite Advantage Health Care Program, provides coverage to adults aged 19-64 who have household incomes at or below 138% of the federal poverty level (FPL).

Coverage for Pregnant Women and Children (CHIP)

Medicaid provides robust coverage for pregnant women and children. Pregnant women are eligible with household incomes up to 196% of the FPL, and this coverage continues for 12 months postpartum to ensure the health of the new mother. Children under age 19 are covered through Children's Medicaid (CM) and Expanded CM (also known as the Children's Health Insurance Program, or CHIP), with eligibility extending to families with incomes as high as 318% of the FPL.

Medical Assistance for Disabled Individuals

Individuals with disabilities may qualify for Medicaid through several pathways. Those who are approved for federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or the state's SSP cash assistance (under the APTD or ANB categories) are generally eligible for Medicaid. These eligibility determinations, known as "non-MAGI," consider both household income and countable resources.

Child Care and Family Support

Affordable and accessible child care is essential for working parents and a critical component of economic stability. However, the high cost and limited availability of care present significant obstacles for many New Hampshire families.

The NH Child Care Scholarship Program (CCSP)

The NH Child Care Scholarship Program (CCSP) helps eligible families afford child care by making payments directly to licensed or license-exempt child care providers. The scholarship is available for children up to age 13, or up to age 17 if the child has a documented disability.

Income and Activity Requirements

To qualify for a scholarship, parents or guardians in the household must be engaged in an eligible activity. This can include working, searching for a job, or participating in a training or education program. Additionally, the family's gross household income must meet the state's current eligibility guidelines.

Application Steps for Child Care Assistance

The application process for the CCSP is integrated into the NH EASY system. The steps generally include:

1. Completing the application online at nheasy.nh.gov.
2. Reviewing the application with a DHHS staff member.
3. Submitting verification documents for income, work/training hours, and other household circumstances.
4. Receiving an eligibility decision.
5. Choosing a child care provider who is enrolled to accept the state scholarship.

Despite its importance, research indicates there is a significant "knowledge gap" regarding child care assistance in New Hampshire. A 2022 survey found that more than half of parent respondents had never heard of child care scholarships, pointing to a major barrier to access.

This gap exists within a system that has been described as a "structural market failure." The average annual cost of infant care can consume over a third of a single parent's median income. This makes programs like the CCSP a vital but underutilized resource for working families.

Unemployment Benefits and Job Training

For residents who have lost their jobs or are seeking to improve their career prospects, New Hampshire offers temporary income support through unemployment insurance and a variety of workforce development programs.

Filing for Unemployment Insurance in New Hampshire

The Unemployment Insurance (UI) program provides temporary weekly payments to workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own and are able and available to work. To receive benefits, individuals must file a claim with New Hampshire Employment Security (NHES), which is most efficiently done online. Applicants will need to provide their Social Security number, contact information, and detailed employment history for the past 18 months. To maintain eligibility, claimants are required to conduct a weekly work search and report their efforts to NHES.

Workforce Development and Training Opportunities

Beyond temporary income replacement, the state offers several programs designed to help residents gain new skills and secure stable, long-term employment.

• Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA): This federally funded program provides comprehensive employment and training services, including professional career counseling, on-the-job training, and tuition assistance of up to $6,500 for approved occupational skills training. Priority for WIOA services is given to individuals receiving public assistance, low-income individuals, and veterans.
• Work Ready NH: Offered through the Community College System of New Hampshire, Work Ready NH is a tuition-free program that focuses on developing the professional "soft skills" that employers value most, such as communication, problem-solving, and teamwork. The program is open to all New Hampshire residents aged 16 and older.
• Work Now NH: This program is specifically designed to support individuals who are enrolled in Medicaid, SNAP, or TANF. It provides one-on-one case management, job readiness assistance, and financial support for costs related to training, such as tuition, books, travel, and child care registration fees.

Frequently Asked Questions