New Hampshire SNAP (Food Assistance)
Last updated August 2026
New Hampshire SNAP is the state's food help program. It puts money on an EBT card each month, and you use that card like a debit card at most grocery stores. You can apply online through NH EASY at nheasy.nh.gov, the same system used for cash assistance and Medicaid, or at your local DHHS District Office. You can also call the DHHS Customer Service Center at 1-844-275-3447 and ask them to mail you an application.
The benefit is real money. A household with no income can get the most: $298 a month for one person, $546 for two, $785 for three, and $994 for four. It goes up to $1,789 for eight people, plus $218 more for each added person. These amounts took effect October 1, 2025.
Two income lines decide most cases. The gross monthly limit is 130 percent of the poverty guideline, which is $1,696 for one person, $2,292 for two, $2,888 for three, and $3,483 for four. There is also a net limit of 100 percent of poverty. A household that has a member who is 60 or older, or who has a disability, gets to use a higher income line. Your District Office runs the exact numbers for your household size, income, and expenses.
There is a work rule to know. New rules for able-bodied adults without dependents took effect November 1, 2025. If you are 18 through 64, can work, and have no child under 14 in your home, you must do at least 80 hours a month of work, volunteering, or approved training to keep SNAP past three months. These changes come from a federal law signed July 4, 2025, not from a state choice.
The same law also removed some old exemptions. Being homeless, being a veteran, having a child aged 15 to 18 in your home, and being a former foster youth under age 24 used to excuse a person from the work rule. They no longer do. If a work rule seems to apply to you, ask your worker whether any current exemption still fits your case.
New Hampshire has a simpler path for older adults. Households where every adult is 60 or older, or has a disability, and no adult is working can get a 36-month certification and skip the interview at renewal. If you get SNAP, Medicaid, or cash assistance, the state also screens you for utility help through your local Community Action Agency. And if food is short today, dial 2-1-1 to find a nearby food pantry.
Phone 1-844-275-3447
Help available in English and Spanish.
Updated August 2026 Program details can change — confirm with the program directly.
Who qualifies
- Income-based; eligibility depends on your household size, income, expenses, and resources, and your local District Office runs the exact numbers
- You can qualify whether you rent, own, have no home, or live with others, and you do not need children; adults 18 through 64 who can work and have no child under 14 in the household must meet SNAP work requirements to keep benefits past three months
You may qualify. The program makes the final decision.
How to apply
- 1
Apply online at NH EASY (nheasy.nh.gov), at your local DHHS District Office, or by calling 1-844-275-3447 for a mailed form.
- 2
Gather proof of your income, housing costs, and who lives in your home.
- 3
Complete your interview and turn in the documents your worker asks for.
- 4
If you are 18 through 64 with no child under 14, ask how the 80-hours-a-month work rule applies to you.
- 5
Once approved, set up your EBT card and start using it at grocery stores.
What to have ready
- Photo ID for the person applying
- Proof of income and your housing and utility costs
- Social Security numbers for household members. Your District Office confirms the exact list.
What the application looks like
Common questions
How much does New Hampshire SNAP pay?
Up to $298 a month for one person, $546 for two, $785 for three, and $994 for four, rising to $1,789 for eight, for a household with no income. These amounts took effect October 1, 2025.
What is the income limit?
The gross limit is 130 percent of poverty: $1,696 for one person, $2,888 for three, and $3,483 for four, plus a 100 percent net limit. A household with an older or disabled member uses a higher income line.
Is there a work requirement?
Yes. Since November 1, 2025, adults 18 through 64 who can work and have no child under 14 must do at least 80 hours a month of work, volunteering, or training to keep SNAP past three months.
How do I apply?
Online through NH EASY at nheasy.nh.gov, at a DHHS District Office, or by calling 1-844-275-3447 to have an application mailed to you.
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