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STATENew Hampshire
Help for Single Mothers in NEW HAMPSHIRE
Mount WashingtonNew Hampshire

NEW HAMPSHIRE

What benefits can a single mother get in New Hampshire?

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), plus up to $2,177 in one-time utility help (LIHEAP). Child care assistance and Medicaid coverage may also be available. Amounts are 2026 maximums for a household of 3.

Estimated benefits for a single mother in New Hampshire
$1,366
$808
$240
$52
$2,177
Eligible
Eligible
$7,395

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.

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.

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.

TANF payments by household size, New Hampshirites
Household SizePayment
1$798
2$1,082
3$1,366
4$1,650
5$1,934
6$2,218
7$2,502
8$2,786
The amounts shown represent the maximum monthly cash benefits available to families with no countable income. Actual payments may vary based on a family’s income and other eligibility factors.

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.

Maximum monthly SNAP benefits by household size
Household SizeSNAP Benefits
1$306
2$562
3$808
4$1,023
5$1,217
6$1,463
7$1,616
8$1,841
The actual SNAP benefit amounts are based on a household’s net income with a general rule that an increase of $100 in net income results in a reduction of $30 in benefits. Use our SNAP calculator to estimate the amount of benefits you can expect to receive.

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 low-income individuals and families in New Hampshire who lack adequate resources to pay for medical care, covering services like regular doctor check-ups, emergency room visits, prescription drugs, visits to specialists, and more.

Eligible participants include children under the age of 19, pregnant women, low-income families with children, and people who are aged, blind, or have disabilities.

In New Hampshire, Medicaid benefits are primarily delivered through Medicaid Care Management (MCM), where members choose one of three private health plans:

  1. AmeriHealth Caritas New Hampshire
  2. NH Healthy Families
  3. WellSense Health Plan

What is the income limit for NH Medicaid?

As New Hampshire is expanding Medicaid coverage, Medicaid now covers almost all non-elderly adults up to 138% of poverty level through a health plan called Granite Advantage Health Care.

Children under age 19 are eligible for CHIP with household incomes at or below 323% of poverty level. For a family of three, that’s about $7,354 per month.

NH Medicaid income limits by household size
NH MedicaidHousehold Size323% Child 0—18201% Pregnant Women138% Adults 19—64
1$4,296$2,673$1,835
2$5,825$3,625$2,489
3$7,354$4,576$3,142
4$8,883$5,528$3,795
5$10,411$6,479$4,448
6$11,940$7,430$5,101
7$13,469$8,382$5,755
8$14,998$9,333$6,408
A 5% disregard based on the federal poverty level (FPL) for the household size may be applied and is reflected in the amounts shown above. Source: Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF).

What is the Katie Beckett program in NH?

Children under age 19 with severe disabilities who require an institutional level of care at home may be eligible for the Home Care for Children with Severe Disabilities (HC-CSD), commonly known as “Katie Beckett ”.

It provides access to regular Medicaid services, including doctor visits, therapies, and medical equipment. Eligibility for Katie Beckett is based on the child’s disability and income, parental income is disregarded.

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.

Child care subsidy income limits by household size, New Hampshirites
Household Size85% SMIInitial Eligibility85% SMIRedetermination
2$7,349$7,349
3$9,078$9,078
4$10,808$10,808
5$12,537$12,537
6$14,266$14,266
7$14,590$14,590
8$14,915$14,915
The income limits are presented as dollar amounts derived from a percentage of either the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) or the State Median Income (SMI) for 2026.

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?

There are 11 District Offices in NH that help families apply for child care assistance. Call the DHHS Customer Service Center to schedule an appointment or request a paper application be mailed to you.

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.

WIC income limits by household size
Household SizeANNUAL LIMITMONTLY LIMIT
1$29,526$2,461
2$40,034$3,336
3$50,542$4,212
4$61,050$5,088
5$71,558$5,963
6$82,066$6,839
7$92,574$7,715
8$103,082$8,590
The income limits are presented as dollar amounts derived from a percentage of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) for each household size in 2026.

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
State WIC Agency
(800) 942-4321

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.

What is the income limit for fuel assistance in New Hampshire?

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 $6,408 per month for a family of three.

LIHEAP income limits by household size, New Hampshirites
Household SizeIncome Limit
1$3,967
2$5,188
3$6,408
4$7,629
5$8,850
6$10,070
7$10,299
8$10,528
LIHEAP income guidelines for the current federal fiscal year, which runs from October 1 through September 30.

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 Health and Human Services
Fuel Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
(603) 271-3670

What happened to LIHWAP in New Hampshire?

Federal funding for LIHWAP has ended, so New Hampshire is no longer accepting applications and households cannot currently receive benefits from the program. Customers who are behind on a water bill can contact their utility or dial 2-1-1 for information about other assistance.

New Hampshire Promise Program

Since New Hampshire does not offer a traditional state grant, the New Hampshire Promise Program provides “last dollar” financial support to eligible students attending community colleges across the state.

A last-dollar program means that all available federal and other public aid is applied first, and Promise Program covers any remaining tuition balance.

The program is open to students at all seven of the state’s community colleges who have completed the FAFSA, be Pell Grant eligible, and enroll in at least six credits per semester.

How do I apply for NH 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

Data and figures on this page come from the sources and notes below:

Footnotes

  1. CBPP , Increases in TANF Cash Benefit Levels Are Critical to Help Families Meet Rising Costs. ↩

  2. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, WIC eligibility requirements . ↩

SingleMotherGuide.com is an independent website and is not affiliated with any government agency. Program amounts and income limits are compiled from official federal and state sources, which are cited on the page, and are reviewed periodically and updated as those sources change.

The information is provided for general guidance and is not legal or financial advice. The administering agency makes the final determination of eligibility and benefit amounts. To report an error, please contact us.

Figures on this page are compiled from the public sources cited above and may change; refer to the cited sources for the most current information.

Last updated
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Updated by
Ada Hu
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