Benefit programs in New Hampshire (2026)
For families in New Hampshire we check every federal program below, then map your state's own programs and point you to the office that runs each one.
We don't put a dollar figure on most of New Hampshire's own programs yet. Those amounts depend on rules we haven't finished checking against official sources. What you get instead is the program, its official source, and who to call. Federal amounts are computed for every state, including yours.
New Hampshire families can get Medicaid help with care at home through 4 Medicaid home and community-based services waivers that pay for care in your own home instead of a nursing facility. We have not yet confirmed a dollar figure for a property-tax relief program in New Hampshire, so none is quoted here. New Hampshire also runs a federally funded LIHEAP energy-assistance program that helps pay heating bills for qualifying households. Figures checked against official sources, last on 2026-08-05.
Does New Hampshire Medicaid pay for care at home?
Yes. New Hampshire runs 4 Medicaid home & community-based services waivers, including "NH Acquired Brain Disorder Waiver (4177.R06.00)" and "NH Choices for Independence Waiver (0060.R08.00)". These pay for care in your own home instead of a nursing facility. We have no confirmed dollar figure for what they pay. Amounts depend on an assessment, and most waivers have waiting lists. Ask New Hampshire Medicaid, or call 1-866-634-9412.
- NH Acquired Brain Disorder Waiver (4177.R06.00)
- NH Choices for Independence Waiver (0060.R08.00)
- NH Developmental Disabilities Waiver (0053.R07.00)
- NH In Home Supports for Children with Developmental Disabilities (0397.R05.00)
See how New Hampshire's Medicaid rules compare with other states
What property tax relief is available to seniors in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire has 7 property-tax relief programs that seniors may qualify for: Elderly Exemption (RSA 72:39-a and 72:39-b), Low and Moderate Income Homeowners Property Tax Relief (RSA 198:56-61; program section RSA 198:57; Form DP-8) and Exemption for the Disabled (RSA 72:37-b). We have not confirmed their dollar amounts against the official state pages (last checked 2026-08-05), so we do not state amounts here. The official links below carry the current figures. Call your state's Aging and Disability Resource Center at 1-866-634-9412 and ask which you qualify for. They will also tell you the filing deadline, which is usually earlier than people expect.
12 programs in New Hampshire. Each description below is drawn from its linked source and shown in full: the tag next to each name marks its source tier (GOV/GOV PDF: the program's own official page, ANALYSIS/IND: a secondary source).
Property-tax figures last checked against official sources on 2026-08-05. See how we verify figures.
| Program | Benefit | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Elderly Exemption (RSA 72:39-a and 72:39-b) GOV | A deduction from the assessed value of the homestead. The dollar amount is set by each municipality and may differ across three age tiers (65-74, 75-79, 80+). Statutory floor: the exemption for any age category may not be less than $5,000 (RSA 72:39-b). Actual town-adopted amounts vary widely (commonly tens of thousands up to $200,000+ of assessed value). | Official source → |
| Low and Moderate Income Homeowners Property Tax Relief (RSA 198:56-61; program section RSA 198:57; Form DP-8) GOV | State rebate of the State Education Property Tax paid on the homestead. Formula (RSA 198:57 IV): take the lesser of (a) the homestead assessed value or (b) $220,000 x the local equalization ratio; multiply by the education tax rate shown on the tax bill; then multiply by an income-based percentage. Single: income <$23,100 = 100%, $23,100-$27,800 = 60%, $27,800-$32,400 = 40%, $32,400-$37,000 = 20%. Married/head of household: <$29,400 = 100%, $29,400-$35,300 = 60%, $35,300-$41,100 = 40%, $41,100-$47,000 = 20%. Claim filed on Form DP-8 between May 1 and June 30. | Official source → |
| Standard and Optional Veterans' Tax Credit (RSA 72:28) GOV | A credit subtracted each year from the property tax bill on the veteran's residential property. Standard credit = $50. Optional credit (if the town/city has adopted it) = any amount from $51 up to $750, which replaces (does not add to) the standard credit. | Official source → |
| All Veterans' Tax Credit (RSA 72:28-b) GOV | Town/city-adopted credit subtracted from the property tax bill, equal in amount to the town's standard or optional veterans' credit under RSA 72:28 (i.e., $50, or from $51 up to $750 if the optional amount is adopted). Extends the veterans' credit to veterans regardless of wartime service. Cannot be combined with RSA 72:28 or 72:35. | Official source → |
| Tax Credit for Service-Connected Total Disability (RSA 72:35) GOV | A credit subtracted each year from the property tax on the person's residential property. Standard credit = $700. Optional credit (if adopted by the town/city) = any amount from $701 up to $5,000. | Official source → |
| Certain Disabled Veterans - Total Property Tax Exemption (RSA 72:36-a) GOV | Full 100% exemption from ALL property taxation on the homestead. Applies to a veteran (or surviving spouse) who owns a home specially adapted with VA Special Adapted Housing (SAH) or Special Home Adaptation (SHA) assistance and who is 100% permanently and totally disabled, a double amputee or paraplegic (service-connected), or service-connected blind (visual acuity 5/200 or less). | Official source → |
| Surviving Spouse Tax Credit (RSA 72:29-a) GOV | A credit against taxes on the surviving spouse's real and personal property (whether residential or not) in the municipality where they reside. Standard credit = $700. Optional credit (if adopted by the town/city) = any amount from $701 up to $2,000. | Official source → |
| Exemption for the Disabled (RSA 72:37-b) GOV | A yearly exemption deducted from the homestead's assessed value, in a dollar amount chosen by the adopting municipality (no statewide dollar figure - amount varies by town). Available to persons eligible for federal Social Security disability benefits under Title II (SSDI) or Title XVI (SSI). A person eligible on their 65th birthday may keep the greater of this exemption or the elderly exemption. | Official source → |
| Exemption for the Blind (RSA 72:37) GOV | Exemption of $15,000 off the assessed value of the legally blind person's residential real estate. A city or town may adopt a higher amount to address significant property-value increases. | Official source → |
| Exemption for Deaf or Severely Hearing Impaired Persons (RSA 72:38-b) GOV | Exemption of $15,000 off the assessed value of the eligible person's residential real estate (person with 71 dB average hearing loss or greater in the better ear). A city or town may adopt a higher amount. Adoption by the municipality is required; income and asset limits apply (statutory minimums the same as the disabled exemption: $13,400 single / $20,400 married income; $35,000 assets). | Official source → |
| Exemption for Improvements to Assist Persons With Disabilities (RSA 72:37-a) GOV | Exemption equal to the assessed value of improvements made to the home for the purpose of assisting a resident person with a disability - that value is deducted from the assessed value before taxes are computed. Applies only in years the disabled person resided there on April 1. | Official source → |
| Tax Deferral for Elderly and Disabled (RSA 72:38-a) GOV | Assessors may defer all or part of the annual property taxes, plus 5% annual interest, when the tax causes undue hardship or possible loss of the property. Cumulative deferrals may not exceed 85% of the property's equity value (Equity Value x 0.85). The deferred amount becomes a lien repaid on sale/transfer or from the estate. | Official source → |
Elderly Exemption (RSA 72:39-a and 72:39-b) GOV
- Benefit
A deduction from the assessed value of the homestead. The dollar amount is set by each municipality and may differ across three age tiers (65-74, 75-79, 80+). Statutory floor: the exemption for any age category may not be less than $5,000 (RSA 72:39-b). Actual town-adopted amounts vary widely (commonly tens of thousands up to $200,000+ of assessed value).
- Official source
- Official source →
Low and Moderate Income Homeowners Property Tax Relief (RSA 198:56-61; program section RSA 198:57; Form DP-8) GOV
- Benefit
State rebate of the State Education Property Tax paid on the homestead. Formula (RSA 198:57 IV): take the lesser of (a) the homestead assessed value or (b) $220,000 x the local equalization ratio; multiply by the education tax rate shown on the tax bill; then multiply by an income-based percentage. Single: income <$23,100 = 100%, $23,100-$27,800 = 60%, $27,800-$32,400 = 40%, $32,400-$37,000 = 20%. Married/head of household: <$29,400 = 100%, $29,400-$35,300 = 60%, $35,300-$41,100 = 40%, $41,100-$47,000 = 20%. Claim filed on Form DP-8 between May 1 and June 30.
- Official source
- Official source →
Standard and Optional Veterans' Tax Credit (RSA 72:28) GOV
- Benefit
A credit subtracted each year from the property tax bill on the veteran's residential property. Standard credit = $50. Optional credit (if the town/city has adopted it) = any amount from $51 up to $750, which replaces (does not add to) the standard credit.
- Official source
- Official source →
All Veterans' Tax Credit (RSA 72:28-b) GOV
- Benefit
Town/city-adopted credit subtracted from the property tax bill, equal in amount to the town's standard or optional veterans' credit under RSA 72:28 (i.e., $50, or from $51 up to $750 if the optional amount is adopted). Extends the veterans' credit to veterans regardless of wartime service. Cannot be combined with RSA 72:28 or 72:35.
- Official source
- Official source →
Tax Credit for Service-Connected Total Disability (RSA 72:35) GOV
- Benefit
A credit subtracted each year from the property tax on the person's residential property. Standard credit = $700. Optional credit (if adopted by the town/city) = any amount from $701 up to $5,000.
- Official source
- Official source →
Certain Disabled Veterans - Total Property Tax Exemption (RSA 72:36-a) GOV
- Benefit
Full 100% exemption from ALL property taxation on the homestead. Applies to a veteran (or surviving spouse) who owns a home specially adapted with VA Special Adapted Housing (SAH) or Special Home Adaptation (SHA) assistance and who is 100% permanently and totally disabled, a double amputee or paraplegic (service-connected), or service-connected blind (visual acuity 5/200 or less).
- Official source
- Official source →
Surviving Spouse Tax Credit (RSA 72:29-a) GOV
- Benefit
A credit against taxes on the surviving spouse's real and personal property (whether residential or not) in the municipality where they reside. Standard credit = $700. Optional credit (if adopted by the town/city) = any amount from $701 up to $2,000.
- Official source
- Official source →
Exemption for the Disabled (RSA 72:37-b) GOV
- Benefit
A yearly exemption deducted from the homestead's assessed value, in a dollar amount chosen by the adopting municipality (no statewide dollar figure - amount varies by town). Available to persons eligible for federal Social Security disability benefits under Title II (SSDI) or Title XVI (SSI). A person eligible on their 65th birthday may keep the greater of this exemption or the elderly exemption.
- Official source
- Official source →
Exemption for the Blind (RSA 72:37) GOV
- Benefit
Exemption of $15,000 off the assessed value of the legally blind person's residential real estate. A city or town may adopt a higher amount to address significant property-value increases.
- Official source
- Official source →
Exemption for Deaf or Severely Hearing Impaired Persons (RSA 72:38-b) GOV
- Benefit
Exemption of $15,000 off the assessed value of the eligible person's residential real estate (person with 71 dB average hearing loss or greater in the better ear). A city or town may adopt a higher amount. Adoption by the municipality is required; income and asset limits apply (statutory minimums the same as the disabled exemption: $13,400 single / $20,400 married income; $35,000 assets).
- Official source
- Official source →
Exemption for Improvements to Assist Persons With Disabilities (RSA 72:37-a) GOV
- Benefit
Exemption equal to the assessed value of improvements made to the home for the purpose of assisting a resident person with a disability - that value is deducted from the assessed value before taxes are computed. Applies only in years the disabled person resided there on April 1.
- Official source
- Official source →
Tax Deferral for Elderly and Disabled (RSA 72:38-a) GOV
- Benefit
Assessors may defer all or part of the annual property taxes, plus 5% annual interest, when the tax causes undue hardship or possible loss of the property. Cumulative deferrals may not exceed 85% of the property's equity value (Equity Value x 0.85). The deferred amount becomes a lien repaid on sale/transfer or from the estate.
- Official source
- Official source →
How much heating bill help can I get in New Hampshire?
Up to $2,177 toward heating bills. That is the FY 2026 maximum New Hampshire's Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) publishes. Most households get less. This is the ceiling, not a typical amount. A separate crisis benefit of up to $2,177 is available if your service is about to be shut off. Source: https://liheapch.acf.gov/profiles/NH.htm
| Program | Benefit | Published maximum | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) | Help with heating bills, plus emergency help if service is at risk. Emergency crisis help is available. | In New Hampshire the published heating maximum is $2,177. Crisis maximum: $2,177. | Official source → |
Retirement income tax
Social Security in New Hampshire: New Hampshire does not tax Social Security benefits and has no tax on wages or earned income. Its only individual-level tax was the Interest & Dividends (I&D) Tax - a 3% tax that applied ONLY to interest and dividend income over $2,400 (single) / $4,800 (joint), never to Social Security, wages, pensions, or retirement-account distributions. The I&D Tax was fully repealed effective January 1, 2025 (2023 HB 2), so New Hampshire now has no individual income tax whatsoever.
Pensions, IRAs, and 401(k)s: No state income tax on pension, IRA, or 401(k) distributions - these have never been taxed by New Hampshire because NH has no broad income tax. The former Interest & Dividends Tax taxed only investment interest/dividends (not retirement distributions) and was repealed effective Jan 1, 2025. No age-based or income-based exclusion is needed because none of this retirement income is subject to state tax.
Official source →Federal programs: checked in New Hampshire too
These are computed for every family, wherever they live.
VA Aid & Attendance
An extra monthly VA payment for wartime veterans and surviving spouses who need daily help.
Medicare Savings Programs
State help that pays your Medicare premiums, and sometimes deductibles and copays.
Medicare Extra Help
Lowers what you pay for prescription drugs under Medicare Part D.
SNAP (food support)
Monthly money for groceries. Older adults often qualify for more than they expect.
Social Security & SSI
Checks whether the person may be missing Social Security or Supplemental Security Income.
Federal tax credits
Credits and deductions families miss, including medical expenses and the credit for the elderly or disabled.
Medicare before 65
Medicare eligibility for people under 65 through a disability.
Who do I call in New Hampshire for help with elder care?
Call your state's Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) at 1-866-634-9412. They're the free, no-wrong-door starting point for home care, respite and other long-term-care options in New Hampshire. If someone is unsafe, neglected or being exploited, Adult Protective Services can help at 603-271-7014.
Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) / No Wrong Door
Free help understanding your options.
1-866-634-9412Which of these fits your family?
Being on this list doesn't mean your family qualifies. That depends on income, savings, care needs and service history. The free check works out which ones are worth your time, in about four minutes.
Not legal or medical advice. Benefits vary. Figures are estimates.