Community Support for Single Mothers in New Hampshire

Where to start

Start with the problem that could hurt your family first: safety, shelter, food, heat, child care, health care, or legal papers. Then add other supports after the urgent issue is moving.

For a broader state guide, see New Hampshire grants. If your need is urgent, also use the emergency assistance guide.

Quick reference table

State benefits that can support a family

Many single mothers need more than charity. State benefits can make the monthly budget more stable. New Hampshire DHHS uses NH EASY for many applications. You can apply online, check eligibility, track the case, and report changes.

Common programs include SNAP, Financial Assistance to Needy Families, Medicaid, child care help, and other supports. If you need more detail about food benefits, see the SNAP in NH guide. For cash assistance, use the TANF in NH guide. For health coverage, use healthcare help details.

Do not wait until every paper is perfect. Apply, then send missing documents when DHHS asks. Keep screenshots, upload confirmations, letters, and notes from calls. If a letter says you have a deadline, act before that date.

Town or city welfare

New Hampshire is different from many states because town and city welfare is a real local help path. State law says local welfare is handled by each town or city welfare administrator. Help is usually for basic needs, and it may be paid directly to a landlord, utility, pharmacy, or other vendor instead of to you.

Use your town or city website to find the welfare office, or ask 211 for the correct contact. You can also read the state law under RSA 165 and the plain-language guide from town welfare.

Local welfare may ask for proof of income, bills, rent, household members, bank balance, benefits, work search, or applications to other agencies. This can feel stressful, but the office should give you written rules and a written decision. If you are denied or told to come back later, ask for the decision in writing and contact legal aid if the denial seems wrong.

Food, WIC, diapers, and baby supplies

For groceries right now, start with the New Hampshire Food Bank mobile pantry schedule and nearby pantry listings through 211. Also apply for SNAP if your household may qualify. Food pantry help is often faster, while SNAP may be more stable once approved.

If you are pregnant, recently gave birth, breastfeeding, or caring for a child under age 5, contact NH WIC. WIC can help with specific foods, nutrition support, breastfeeding support, and referrals. For a deeper guide, see the WIC in NH guide.

Diapers are not covered by SNAP. WIC also does not pay for diapers. Ask 211, food pantries, family resource centers, churches, and local diaper banks. If you need baby items, see the free baby gear guide.

For school-age children, ask the school counselor, nurse, or family liaison about weekend food bags, school supplies, clothing closets, fee waivers, and holiday help. Many school supports are quiet and local, so they may not appear on a statewide list.

Housing, shelter, utilities, and heating help

If you may lose housing, do not wait for a court date or lockout. Call 211 and ask about shelter, Coordinated Entry, rent help, town welfare, and legal aid. New Hampshire DHHS explains that coordinated entry is used to connect people at risk of or experiencing homelessness with housing and services through a shared process.

For more housing detail, see the housing assistance guide. If the main problem is a shutoff or heating bill, use the utility assistance guide.

For fuel and electric bills, Community Action agencies are the main local doorway. Ask about Fuel Assistance, Electric Assistance, Weatherization Assistance, emergency fuel, and any utility hardship fund. New Hampshire’s Fuel Assistance Program can help eligible households with heating costs when funds are available. It can also help in some heating emergencies.

For rent or deposit help, expect local limits. Some towns, churches, and nonprofits can help only once or only when funds are open. Ask each office what documents are needed, whether they pay landlords directly, and whether they require a shutoff notice, eviction notice, lease, ledger, or landlord form.

Family support, child care, school, and work help

Family Resource Centers are one of the best community support paths for parents who feel overwhelmed. New Hampshire DHHS says Family Resource Centers are in the community, voluntary, confidential, and free of charge. Services vary, but they may include parent education, home visiting, playgroups, concrete supports, resource navigation, and help connecting to other programs.

Start with the state’s Family Resource Centers page. If you are pregnant, caring for a baby, leaving a hard relationship, raising children alone, or helping a child with developmental or school needs, ask for a family support worker or resource navigator.

Child care is often the support that makes work, school, court dates, and medical appointments possible. New Hampshire’s Child Care Scholarship can help eligible families pay child care providers. Head Start and Early Head Start can also help eligible young children with early learning and family services. Start with the state Head Start page for locations. For more detail, use the childcare assistance guide.

If you need work help, training, or unemployment support, use NH job seekers. NH Employment Security says job centers and services can help people looking for a first job, next job, better job, or new career. For ASMOM details, see the job training guide.

Legal, safety, health, and transportation support

This guide is general information, not legal, medical, safety, tax, or benefits advice. For legal problems, call a qualified legal aid office or licensed attorney.

Use 603 Legal Aid for civil legal help such as eviction, public benefits, family law, debt, and some safety-related cases. New Hampshire Legal Assistance also handles civil legal aid in areas such as housing, domestic violence and family law, public benefits, youth law, aging, and immigration. For more New Hampshire details, see the legal help guide.

If you are dealing with abuse, stalking, sexual violence, or trafficking, contact the statewide hotline instead of trying to handle it alone. Advocates can help you think through safe next steps, shelter options, court advocacy, and local services. You can also read ASMOM’s safety resources guide.

For health coverage, start with Medicaid through NH EASY and ask local community health centers about sliding-fee care. New Hampshire Medicaid is a federal and state health care program for eligible people and families. If transportation is the barrier, see the transportation help guide. If emotional stress is the barrier, use the mental health help guide.

Documents and information to gather

You may not need every item below for every program. Still, keeping these papers in one folder can save time.

Phone scripts you can use