New Hampshire Financial Assistance to Needy Families (FANF)

New Hampshire	At a glance
Maximum monthly cash benefit	$1,366 for a family of three
Time limit	60 months
Resource limit	$1,000 at application
Where to apply	New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services

Financial Assistance for Needy Families (FANF) 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 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, with potential hardship extensions possible. ²

Those eligible for FANF cash assistance are also eligible for Medicaid; while children of FANF families are eligible for Healthy Kids Gold coverage. ³

FAQ

Who is eligible for cash assistance in NH?

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

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

What is the income limit for TANF in NH?

In New Hampshire, a family of three is considered “needy” if its countable net income is less than $1,366 per month. The limit for countable resources is $1,000.

Income limits as a percentage of the federal poverty level, by household size
Household Size	Income Limit
1	$798
2	$1,082
3	$1,366
4	$1,650
5	$1,934
6	$2,218
7	$2,502
8	$2,786

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 much cash assistance will I get in NH?

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. ⁴

Currently, a family of three with no little or income is eligible to receive up to $1,366 a month in cash benefit — the most generous of any state.

TANF payments by household size, New Hampshirites
Household Size	Payment
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.

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 TANF in NH?

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

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

What documents do I need to apply for TANF in New Hampshire?

When you apply for TANF cash assistance in New Hampshire, you may be asked to provide all or some of the following documents:

A valid photo ID
Social Security numbers for the people applying (or proof that you have applied for them)
Proof of residency (where you live), such as a lease or a utility bill
Proof of U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status
Proof of your children’s identity and their relationship to you, such as birth certificates
Proof of earned and unearned income for everyone in your household, such as pay stubs
Proof of other resources, such as bank statements, if the state asks for them
Proof of pregnancy, if you are applying while pregnant
Information about the children’s other parent, such as a name and last known address, which states use for child support
Any additional documents needed to verify your household’s situation

Each state sets its own rules, and what you need may depend on your situation. If you are not sure what to bring, contact NH EASY (DHHS) at (844) 275-3447 and they can tell you exactly what your application requires.

Sources & notes

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

NHFPI , Capping Assistance Would Affect Few but Add to Economic Hardship for Some Children. ↩
New Hampshire allows for extensions beyond 60 months for families facing documented hardship, with extensions typically granted in 6-month increments, and families can reapply if the hardship continues. ↩
Healthy Kids Silver and Healthy Kids Gold will now be called Medicaid. ↩
CBPP , Increases in TANF Cash Benefit Levels Are Critical to Help Families Meet Rising Costs. ↩