NEW HAMPSHIRE

What benefits can a single mother get in New Hampshire?

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A single mother with two children in New Hampshire with no income may qualify for up to $1,366 a month in cash assistance (TANF) and up to $808 a month in food benefits (SNAP). A one-time utility payment (LIHEAP) may add up to $2,177. Child care assistance and Medicaid coverage may also be available.

New Hampshire Benefits Overview

Last updated: November 11, 2026

Benefit amounts and eligibility requirements are subject to change. Always verify current program requirements with the administering agency.

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Estimated benefits for a single mother in New Hampshire

Program	Estimated maximum amount
Cash Aid Short-term cash assistance for basic needs, rent, and utility bills.
New Hampshire Financial Assistance to Needy Families (FANF)	$1,366a month
Food & Nutrition Grocery and nutrition assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Summer EBT, and the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program.
SNAP	$808a month
Summer EBT	$240each summer
WIC	$52a month
Housing & Utilities Assistance with rent, home repairs, or heating/cooling bills.
LIHEAP	$2,177one time
Section 8	Check eligibility
Education & Training Tuition, books, and school expenses for single mothers returning to college or vocational training. Apply through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Pell Grant	$7,395a year
For the 2027—2028 academic year, a single mother in a household of 3 in New Hampshire can earn up to $59,963 and still qualify for the maximum Pell grant of $7,395.
Other financial assistance programs Copay
Child Care Scholarship	$0at this income
Medicaid	Check eligibility
If help is urgent
211 NH covers food today, a safe place to stay, and help with eviction or utility bills.

This is an unofficial benefits estimator. No personal data is collected or stored. Actual amounts may vary based on individual circumstances, location, eligibility criteria, and recent data updates at the time of application. The federal programs available in every state are described in the guide to grants for single mothers.

New Hampshire Financial Assistance to Needy Families (FANF)

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

FANF is divided into four main categories based on the family’s circumstances:

• New Hampshire Employment Program (NHEP)
• Family Assistance Program (FAP)
• Interim Disabled Parent (IDP) Program
• Families With Older Children (FWOC) Program

All FANF programs share the same cash eligibility requirements, and benefits are limited to a lifetime maximum of 60 months.

How much cash assistance will I get in NH?

New Hampshire passed legislation in 2017 to tie FANF benefit levels to 60% of the federal poverty line and to adjust them automatically each year.¹

According to the latest data, the maximum benefit for a family of three is $1,366 per month, making it the most generous of any state.

Applications for FANF can be submitted online through NH EASY, or by calling the DHHS Customer Service Center to request an application be mailed to you.

New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services
Customer Service Center
(844) 275-3447

New Hampshire Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

New Hampshire SNAP provides eligible individuals and households with monthly benefits used to purchase food items at grocery stores, supermarkets or other participating food retailers.

Benefits range from a minimum of $306 per household member to a maximum of $808 for a family of three, depending on household size and income.

How do I apply for SNAP in NH?

Applications for SNAP can be done online via NH EASY — New Hampshire’s Electronic Application System where you can apply for assistance, check eligibility, or track your application status.

If you are accepted into the program, your benefits are automatically deposited to your EBT Card each month you are eligible.

New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services
Customer Service Center
(844) 275-3447

The New Hampshire Food Bank runs a mobile pantry and helps people apply for SNAP benefits. It can also be reached at (877) 347-7627. Its website has a map of food banks in the state.

New Hampshire SUN Bucks

SUN Bucks provides grocery-buying benefits to low-income families with school-aged children who lose access to free or reduced-price school meals when schools are closed for the summer.

Each eligible child will get a one-time $120 for groceries — that’s $40 per month for June, July, and August. Families may receive SUN Bucks alongside SNAP and WIC benefits.

Families who take part in the SNAP or TANF program, or whose children are part of the free and reduced-price lunch program at school will be automatically enrolled.

If you’re not sure if you need to apply or will get SUN Bucks automatically, use this eligibility checker to check if your child is eligible for Summer EBT.

New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services
SUN Bucks (Summer EBT)
(603) 271-7373

New Hampshire Medicaid

New Hampshire Medicaid serves eligible children, pregnant women, families with children, adults, and people who are aged, blind, or have disabilities.

Through the Granite Advantage Health Care Program, New Hampshire covers adults ages 19 through 64 with income up to 138% of the federal poverty level. For a household of three, this is about $3,142 per month. Children, pregnant women, and people who are aged, blind, or have disabilities are assessed under separate income and program rules.

How do I apply for Medicaid in NH?

To apply for Medicaid, go to NH EASY and complete an application online. Proof of income and household circumstances are required.

New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services
Medicaid Service Center
(844) 275-3447

New Hampshire Child Care Scholarship

New Hampshire Child Care Scholarship provides financial assistance to income-eligible families in New Hampshire who need help paying for child care.

As a condition of eligibility, parents must be working, looking for work, or in a training program, and children must be under 13 or under 18 with a disability.

All families must contribute to the cost of child care. Depending on household income, the weekly copay may be as low as $0 or $5 and will not exceed 7% of the family’s income.

What is the income limit for child care assistance in New Hampshire?

A family is considered “income eligible” when their gross monthly income is at or below 85% of the State Median Income (SMI) at the time of initial application.

Households with a gross monthly income less than 100% of the federal poverty level, or about $2,277 per month, will have a $0 copayment.

Families who receive Financial Assistance to Needy Families (FANF) and are in the FANF work program are given priority and will not be placed on the wait list.

How do I apply for child care assistance in New Hampshire?

Start a new application for Child Care Assistance at NH Easy Portal or call the DHHS Customer Service Center to schedule an appointment.

New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services
Customer Service Center
(603) 271-4242

New Hampshire Special Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

New Hampshire WIC is a federally funded program that provides healthy supplemental foods for eligible pregnant women, new mothers, infants and children under age 5 who meet the income guidelines.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, to be eligible, you must be a resident of the state of New Hampshire, have a medical or nutritional risk, and have a gross household income less than 185% of the federal poverty guidelines.²

What is the income limit for WIC in NH?

WIC serves women, infants, and children in New Hampshire whose income is at or below 185% of the federal poverty level. That’s about $4,212 per month for a family of three.

How do I apply for WIC in NH?

WIC Agencies provide services in all New Hampshire counties. You may call the State WIC Agency to be connected to a WIC office closest to where you live.

New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services
New Hampshire WIC
(603) 271-4546

New Hampshire Rental Assistance Program

The application process for the NH Emergency Rental Assistance Program (NHERAP) was paused on October 21, 2022, and will not be reopened.

Funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), NH Rental Assistance Program helps qualified tenants with their rent payments by paying a portion of the monthly rent directly to the landlord.

Priority is given to extremely low-income families with children, those with household earnings less than 30% of an area’s median income.

To apply for rental assistance, complete the application form and return it to New Hampshire Housing at the address listed below.

New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority
Assisted Housing Division
PO Box 5087
Manchester, NH 03108
(800) 439-7247 (ext 9266)

New Hampshire Fuel Assistance Program (FAP)

New Hampshire’s Fuel Assistance Program (FAP) provides one-time financial assistance to eligible households that are struggling to pay for heating costs during the winter season.

Benefits range from $100 to $2,177, depending on household income and energy costs. Priority is given to households that include elderly or disabled members and households with young children.

In New Hampshire, the Fuel Assistance Program (FAP) typically serves households with a gross annual income up to 60% of the state median income or about $6,558 per month for a family of three.

How do I apply for fuel assistance in NH?

To apply for fuel assistance in NH, please contact your local Community Action Agency (CAA) to set up an appointment or dial 2-1-1 for additional information.

Applications are accepted year-round, except for crisis assistance, which is available from December 1, 2026, through April 30, 2027, or until available funds are depleted.

New Hampshire Department of Energy
Fuel Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
(603) 271-3670

Community College System of New Hampshire Promise Program

The Community College System of New Hampshire (CCSNH) Promise Program is a “last dollar” program that covers tuition and required fees left after other grants and scholarships. It is available at all seven of the state’s community colleges.

The program is open to students who have completed the FAFSA, are Pell Grant eligible and enroll in at least six credits per semester. Applicants may check when the FAFSA is due for the federal and state deadlines.

How do I apply for the CCSNH Promise Program?

No additional application is required as long as you’ve completed the FAFSA application. The financial aid office at your college will assist you if deemed eligible.

Community College System of New Hampshire
CCSNH Help Desk
(603) 230-3500

The New Hampshire Promise

The University System of New Hampshire (USNH) offers a separate program, The New Hampshire Promise, beginning in fall 2027.

Incoming first-year students who are New Hampshire residents with a total family income of up to $100,000 may pay no tuition at UNH Durham, UNH Manchester, UNH College of Professional Studies Online, Keene State College, or Plymouth State University. Transfer students who earn an associate degree from CCSNH are also eligible.

Applicants must meet these requirements:

• Be admitted to a USNH institution.
• Submit the FAFSA.
• Enroll full-time as a first-time undergraduate student or eligible transfer student.
• Have a GPA of 2.7 or above from the prior school.

The program has no separate application.