Healthcare Assistance for Single Mothers in New Hampshire

Where to start

Start with the person who needs care first. If your child is uninsured, apply for your child even if you think your own income is too high. New Hampshire uses different rules for adults, children, pregnancy, disability, Medicare, and long-term care.

For a wider state starting point, see ASMOM New Hampshire help. For national coverage basics, see ASMOM’s Medicaid guide.

Quick reference

Medicaid and CHIP in New Hampshire

New Hampshire Medicaid is the main public health coverage program for residents who meet state and federal rules. DHHS says medical assistance can include children, pregnant people, parents and caretaker relatives, adults ages 19 through 64 through Granite Advantage, people with disabilities, some non-citizens, and other groups. The official Medicaid eligibility page is the best starting point.

NH EASY lets you apply for Medical Assistance, SNAP, cash, child care, Medicare Savings Programs, and long-term care assistance. If you cannot apply online, use the state application page or contact DHHS. DHHS lists the Customer Service Center at 1-844-ASK-DHHS or 1-844-275-3447.

Adults: Granite Advantage

Many low-income adults ages 19 through 64 use Granite Advantage. It is for adults who are not pregnant, are not enrolled in another Medicaid group, and are not receiving Medicare Part A or Part B. The policy uses a 133% federal poverty level limit, and Medicaid rules may include a small MAGI income disregard. Because tax household rules and deductions can matter, do not self-deny.

Children and CHIP

Children may qualify even when a parent does not. New Hampshire’s children’s Medicaid rules cover eligible children under 19 through Children’s Medicaid and Expanded Children’s Medicaid. Expanded Children’s Medicaid is New Hampshire’s CHIP path for children above the regular child limit and up to the higher state limit.

Pregnancy and postpartum

Pregnant applicants should tell DHHS about the pregnancy when applying. New Hampshire pregnancy Medicaid rules use a higher income limit than adult Medicaid. State policy also allows 12 months of postpartum Medicaid for people who were eligible and enrolled while pregnant. The state’s postpartum rule explains the change from 60 days to 12 months.

Pregnancy can also connect you to WIC, family planning, community health centers, and hospital financial assistance. For broader next steps, use ASMOM pregnancy help.

Simple income screen

The table below uses 2026 federal poverty guideline amounts for the 48 contiguous states and common New Hampshire Medicaid percentages. It is only a rough monthly screen. DHHS makes the final decision, and programs may count income differently.

The federal government posts yearly poverty guidelines. If your household is larger than 6, your income changes each month, or someone in the home is disabled, pregnant, or has Medicare, ask DHHS to screen the case instead of relying only on this table.

After Medicaid approval

Approval is not the last step. You may need to choose a plan, find doctors, set up dental care, ask about rides, and keep renewals on time.

Plans and doctors

Most New Hampshire Medicaid members get care through managed care. The state Medicaid plans page explains the health plans and member services. Before choosing, ask whether your doctor, dentist, hospital, pharmacy, and child’s specialists are in the plan network.

Dental care

New Hampshire Medicaid uses the New Hampshire Smiles dental program. The state New Hampshire Smiles page explains how to find adult dental providers through DentaQuest. Children have Medicaid dental coverage too, but the process may run through the child’s health plan.

For more help, see ASMOM dental help.

Transportation

New Hampshire Medicaid covers emergency and non-emergency transportation to covered services when you have no other way to get there. The state Medicaid rides page explains the benefit. If you are in a Medicaid health plan, call the number on your plan card. For other ride ideas, use ASMOM transportation help.

Renewals

Open every DHHS letter. A renewal notice may ask you to confirm income, address, household size, or other facts. If you moved, update your address in NH EASY or with DHHS so you do not miss notices.

If Medicaid does not fit

If DHHS says you do not qualify for Medicaid or CHIP, check the Marketplace. New Hampshire uses the federal Marketplace, and the New Hampshire Insurance Department points residents to the state Marketplace page. Depending on your income and household, a Marketplace plan may come with premium tax credits or lower out-of-pocket costs.

Outside open enrollment, you usually need a special enrollment reason, such as losing coverage, moving, marriage, birth, adoption, or certain income changes. HealthCare.gov explains special enrollment. Free local help is available through NH Navigator and HealthCare.gov’s local help tool.

If you need care without coverage, federally funded health centers can help. HRSA says health centers provide care whether or not you have insurance and use a sliding fee scale based on ability to pay. Use the health center finder and call the site before going. Ask whether it offers medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, or help applying for coverage.

If food, child care, or other basics are affecting health, these pages may help: ASMOM SNAP in NH, WIC in NH, child care help, and emergency help.

Special health programs to know

Documents to gather before you apply

You do not need every paper before you start, but having basics nearby can prevent delays. Use ASMOM’s documents checklist if you want one place to track papers.

If coverage is denied, delayed, or closed

A denial is not always the end. Read the notice first. It should say why DHHS denied, reduced, or ended coverage and what deadline applies if you want to appeal. The DHHS appeals page explains administrative hearings.

For legal problems tied to benefits, see ASMOM legal help. For benefit notices and deadlines, use ASMOM’s benefits problem guide.