New Hampshire Financial Assistance to Needy Families (FANF)

Financial Assistance for Needy Families (FANF) — New Hampshire’s TANF, provides temporary cash benefits to low-income families with dependent children in New Hampshire.

The state maintains four different eligibility categories within FANF, but each category provides the same level of cash assistance.

Changes in a family’s circumstances, such as the age of a parent or child or the presence of a disability, move the recipient from one FANF category to another.

The four categories of cash assistance in New Hampshire are as follows:

New Hampshire Employment Program (NHEP) #

NHEP provides financial assistance to poverty-level families with dependent children and has mandatory work participation requirements.

The work program helps NHEP participants become self-sufficient by providing employment opportunities, job readiness, vocational education, and training services.

Family Assistance Program (FAP) #

More than 97% of FANF recipients under FAP are children, approximately half of whom have no parent present and are living with a caretaker relative. ¹

FAP provides financial assistance to households where the adult in the family has a permanent disability, is over the age of 60, or has long-term obstacles to employment, such as chronic illness, domestic violence, or ongoing homelessness.

There are no work requirements for adults receiving assistance through FAP.

Interim Disabled Parent Program (IDP) #

IDP offers cash and medical benefits for families in which at least one parent can’t take part in work activities due to disability.

The program serves adults with short-term disabilities and provides the state an opportunity to assess whether the family can be moved into the NHEP program.

Families with Older Children (FWOC) #

The cash assistance available under FANF is temporary in nature, and it’s limited to a maximum of 60 months, though the average duration is about 18 months.

Those eligible for FANF cash assistance are also eligible for Medicaid; while children of FANF families are eligible for Healthy Kids Gold coverage. ²

FAQ #

Who is eligible for cash assistance in NH? #

To qualify for cash assistance in New Hampshire, you must:

1. Be a U.S. citizen, a legal immigrant or a qualified alien.
2. Live in New Hampshire.
3. Have a child under age 19 who lives with them. A child who is 18 must be a full-time high school student.
4. Be either unemployed, working part time or making a very modest salary.

What is the income limit for TANF in NH? #

In New Hampshire, a family is considered “needy” when their countable income is less than $1,243 a month for a family of three. The limit for countable resources is $1,000.

• Family Size Income Limit
• 1 $729
• 2 $986
• 3 $1,243
• 4 $1,500
• 5 $1,757
• 6 $2,014
• 7 $2,271
• 8 $2,528

How much is TANF in New Hampshire? #

How much is cash assistance in NH depends upon the family’s income, resources, and living arrangements but is tied to 60 percent of the poverty line. ³

Currently, a family of three with no little or income is eligible to receive up to $1,243 a month in cash benefit — the most generous of any state and is limited to a lifetime total of 60 months.

FANF cash assistance is issued twice per month via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) or Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) and is accessible in the same manner as any other cash in the account.

How do I apply for welfare in NH? #

The most convenient way to apply for FANF is via NH EASY, New Hampshire’s Electronic Application System where you can apply for assistance, check eligibility, track your application status, and more.

To learn more about New Hampshire FANF, please call
1-800-852-3345

References