Last updated: July 15, 2026
Bottom line
New Hampshire calls its TANF cash program Financial Assistance to Needy Families, or FANF. FANF can provide temporary cash help to eligible low-income families with dependent children. The state uses four FANF paths: the New Hampshire Employment Program, Family Assistance Program, Interim Disabled Parent program, and Families With Older Children program.
Apply through NH EASY, by paper, by phone, or through a District Office. New Hampshire generally has up to 45 calendar days to decide a cash-assistance application. Most applicants must complete an eligibility interview, and many must also attend an employment-program orientation.
FANF is not a grant or guaranteed payment. Household members, income, countable resources, child status, work rules, time limits, and child-support requirements can affect the case. The ASMOM TANF cash guide explains the federal program, while the New Hampshire help page covers other state benefits.
If you need help today
FANF is not same-day emergency money. If you have no food, face eviction or a utility shutoff, or need a safe place, seek other help while DHHS reviews the application.
- Call 2-1-1 or use 211 New Hampshire for food, shelter, rent, heating, utility, diaper, transportation, and local referrals.
- Ask DHHS about Emergency Assistance if your family faces homelessness, utility loss, no heat, or unsafe housing. The official FANF program page explains that a family may qualify for housing-related emergency help even when it does not receive a monthly FANF payment.
- If anyone is in immediate danger, call 911. For domestic violence, sexual violence, stalking, or trafficking support, call the statewide helpline at 1-866-644-3574 or use the crisis center directory.
- Use the ASMOM New Hampshire emergency guide for other crisis programs.
Where to start
Choose the application method you can finish and track. Applying creates a filing date and gives DHHS a chance to make an official decision.
Apply online
Use NH EASY to request cash, SNAP, Medicaid, and child care help. Save the confirmation and check your account for messages.
Apply by phone
Call 1-844-275-3447, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Ask to apply or request a paper application.
Apply on paper
Print BFA Form 800 from the state application page and mail or deliver it to a District Office. Keep a full copy.
Apply in person
Use the District Office search and ask for a receipt for every form or document you leave.
The ASMOM benefits document checklist can help you start one folder for IDs, income, child records, notices, and call notes.
Quick reference for New Hampshire FANF
| Question | New Hampshire answer | Practical step |
|---|---|---|
| Program name | Financial Assistance to Needy Families | Ask DHHS about FANF cash assistance. |
| Application system | NH EASY, phone, paper, or District Office | Keep proof of the filing date. |
| Decision timing | Generally no later than 45 days | Complete the interview, orientation, and proof requests. |
| Maximum benefit | Based on assistance-group size and income | Ask for the written budget if the amount seems wrong. |
| Cash schedule | Issued twice each month | Choose EBT or direct deposit when available. |
| Time limit | Many adult cases are subject to 60 months | Ask which time clock and exception apply to your path. |
| Appeal period | Generally 30 days | Read the Notice of Decision for the exact deadline. |
The four FANF paths
All FANF paths use the same maximum cash-payment table, but work rules, time-limit treatment, and child-support requirements can differ. Ask the worker which category is being used and why.
| FANF path | Who it is generally for | Important difference |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire Employment Program | Parents or caregivers who are expected to take part in work activities | Requires an employment plan and approved participation unless exempt. |
| Family Assistance Program | Families with an adult who has a permanent exemption from NHEP | Has no required work component while the family meets FAP rules. |
| Interim Disabled Parent | Families in which at least one parent is disabled and unable to work | Uses medical proof and has different federal time-clock treatment. |
| Families With Older Children | Families with a 19-year-old who is still a full-time high-school or basic-education student | Can continue until the child turns 20 or stops qualifying as a student. |
The official FANF category policy explains these paths. A category can change when a disability, work exemption, or child’s age changes.
Who may qualify for FANF
FANF is for families with low income and a qualifying dependent child. The child must usually live with a parent or specified relative and lack the support or care of a parent because of death, continued absence, or disability or incapacity in a two-parent household.
A child is generally eligible when under age 18. A child age 18 may continue when enrolled full time in high school or a high-school-equivalency program. The older-child category can cover a 19-year-old up to age 20 while the student rules are met.
New Hampshire does not provide FANF based on pregnancy alone when there is no other dependent child. A pregnant applicant should still ask about Medicaid, WIC, housing, and other pregnancy support.
DHHS also checks identity, New Hampshire residence, citizenship or eligible immigration status for applicants, Social Security numbers, household members, income, and resources. The state TANF plan gives the wider program framework.
Current FANF recipients and people who received FANF within the previous six months can have up to $5,000 in countable resources under the current recipient rule. New applicants and different assets can be treated differently. A home, vehicle, bank account, lump sum, or jointly owned property may have its own rule, so ask for the resource calculation instead of relying on one number.
Do not screen yourself out
Apply if you recently lost work, have irregular hours, live with relatives, care for a related child, or have a disability or safety barrier. Income and resource rules include exclusions and deductions that cannot be judged from gross income alone.
2026 FANF payment standards
The maximum payment standard increased on March 1, 2026. The amounts below come from the current FANF payment table. They are maximums before countable income and other case adjustments.
| Assistance-group size | Maximum monthly standard | Reality check |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $798 | The actual grant may be lower. |
| 2 | $1,082 | Countable income can reduce the payment. |
| 3 | $1,366 | Ask for the written benefit budget. |
| 4 | $1,650 | Household and assistance-group size may differ. |
| 5 | $1,934 | Report changes promptly. |
| 6 | $2,218 | The table is not a promise of payment. |
| 7 | $2,502 | Other income may be counted. |
| 8 | $2,786 | Larger groups add $284 per person. |
The payment standard is also used in the financial eligibility calculation, but FANF budgeting includes income rules, disregards, and household details. If your notice shows an amount you do not understand, ask DHHS to explain each line.
How to apply and finish the process
The official application page links to NH EASY and the paper forms. A filed FANF application must at least include the applicant’s name, address, signature, and the assistance being requested.
After filing, most applicants must complete an eligibility interview. Many FANF applicants must also attend an NHEP orientation. DHHS can ask for proof of income, household members, relationships, child status, resources, residence, identity, and other facts.
The processing-time policy says DHHS should issue a Notice of Decision as soon as eligibility is known and generally no later than 45 calendar days after the application date. A delay may happen if the applicant does not complete a required step or an emergency outside DHHS control prevents a decision.
Use the District Office locator for in-person help. Call 1-844-275-3447 for application or case questions. Keep screenshots, mailing proof, upload confirmations, and the names and dates of calls.
NHEP work rules and support services
Parents assigned to NHEP work with staff on an employment plan. Approved activities can include work, job search, education, training, or other steps connected to employment. Use the NHEP participant page to find the employment office serving your area.
Some people can be temporarily or permanently exempt. Examples include certain people with a health condition, people caring for a household member with a health condition, adults age 60 or older, recipients of certain disability benefits, and some parents caring for a baby under age 1. The exact rule can depend on months already received and medical proof.
If you have a medical or caregiving limit, ask which provider form is required and the due date. Do not assume that telling a worker verbally is enough.
Transportation and child care
NHEP may authorize transportation tied to an approved employment plan. Current policy allows up to $250 per month for approved public or private transportation or mileage reimbursement. Prior approval and participation rules apply. The official transportation policy explains the limit.
Ask about the New Hampshire Child Care Scholarship when work, education, or training requires child care. The ASMOM New Hampshire child care guide explains the wider application process.
Common NHEP mistakes
- Missing orientation or an appointment and not contacting the worker.
- Failing to report child care, health, transportation, school, or safety barriers.
- Starting an activity without confirming that it is approved in the employment plan.
- Ignoring a warning or sanction notice instead of asking how to fix the issue.
Time limits and hardship extensions
Many adults can receive FANF cash for up to 60 lifetime months. The months do not need to be consecutive. Months received as a dependent child do not count as adult months.
The time-limit rules are not identical for every FANF path. FAP cases are exempt from closure under the state lifetime-limit rule while the family continues to meet FAP requirements. IDP and FWOC have different federal and state clock treatment. Ask DHHS which clock applies to each adult in the case.
Some families can request help beyond the limit because of hardship. New Hampshire provides Form 785 for an extension request. A review interview and proof may be required. Family violence can also affect work rules or time-limit treatment.
Start before the last month. Ask how many state and federal months have been counted, what extension reason may fit, and which records are due.
Child support cooperation and safety
Many FANF applicants must cooperate with the Bureau of Child Support Services. The agency may help locate a parent, establish parentage, set support, and enforce an order. Use the official child support page for current services.
If cooperation could cause physical or emotional harm, or family violence is involved, ask about good cause and the Family Violence Option. New Hampshire says good cause may be claimed at any time. The current process can require separate forms for the claim and for family-violence options.
Ask to speak privately and give a safe phone number. A child-support activity may be paused while DHHS decides a properly filed good-cause claim. The good-cause policy explains the process.
The ASMOM New Hampshire child support guide covers support applications and enforcement. Use the New Hampshire safety guide if abuse or stalking affects the case.
Receiving and protecting cash benefits
New Hampshire issues FANF cash twice each month. Recipients may receive cash through direct deposit or an EBT card. An EBT card can be used at participating cash-access locations and ATMs, subject to program and machine rules.
Use the official EBT information page for account and fraud guidance. The 24-hour EBT customer-service number is 1-888-997-9777.
Cover the keypad, change the PIN if someone may know it, and check transactions. New Hampshire says stolen cash benefits may be reviewed for replacement through the state’s stolen-benefits form. Report the card problem immediately; replacement is not automatic.
Documents to gather
Apply even if some proof is missing, then send documents as soon as possible. Ask DHHS what alternate proof it will accept.
| Document or information | Examples | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Identity | Photo ID, school record, passport, or other accepted proof | Shows who is applying. |
| New Hampshire residence | Lease, shelter letter, official mail, or host statement | Shows residence and where notices should go. |
| Child and relationship proof | Birth record, school record, custody or guardianship paper | Shows the child lives with a qualifying caregiver. |
| Income | Pay stubs, employer statement, unemployment, support, or benefits | Used to calculate eligibility and payment. |
| Resources | Bank balances, vehicle information, property, or lump sums | Used to check countable-resource rules. |
| Work barriers | Child care bill, bus schedule, class schedule, or medical form | May affect NHEP plans or exemptions. |
| Safety information | Advocate statement, court record, medical record, or other proof | May support good cause or a Family Violence Option. |
| Application records | Confirmation, receipts, notices, and call log | Shows what was submitted and when. |
If you are pregnant or have a young child, use the ASMOM New Hampshire WIC guide. For medical coverage, check the New Hampshire health guide.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Waiting for every document before filing.
- Missing the eligibility interview or NHEP orientation.
- Using an old FANF payment table.
- Not asking which FANF category and time clock apply.
- Failing to report a disability, caregiving duty, child care problem, or safety concern.
- Ignoring a sanction, closure, or time-limit notice.
- Sharing an EBT PIN or case details with an unknown caller.
If FANF is delayed, denied, reduced, or closed
Read the Notice of Decision and find the reason, effective date, and appeal instructions. A missing document, excess income, resource decision, sanction, child-support issue, and time-limit closure require different responses.
The Administrative Appeals Unit says most DHHS appeals must be requested within 30 days of the notice date. Under some circumstances, appealing within 15 days may allow benefits to continue at the same level. If DHHS wins, continued benefits may have to be repaid.
You may use the state appeal form, write a request, or tell a DHHS representative that you want to appeal. Keep proof of the date. A supervisor review or new document does not replace the appeal deadline unless DHHS confirms that in writing.
Apply for civil legal help through 603 Legal Aid intake. The ASMOM benefits problem guide explains how to organize notices and calls, and the New Hampshire legal guide lists other state legal resources.
Other help to check with FANF
FANF may not cover every household cost. Apply for programs that fit your family while the cash case is pending.
- Food: Use the ASMOM New Hampshire SNAP guide for grocery benefits and pantries.
- Housing: Ask DHHS about Emergency Assistance and use the ASMOM New Hampshire housing guide for shelter and rent paths.
- Heat and electricity: Use the ASMOM New Hampshire utility guide.
- Local services: Find your agency through Community Action help and use the ASMOM New Hampshire community guide.
Phone scripts
Calling DHHS about an application
“I applied for FANF on [date]. Can you confirm my filing date, tell me whether an interview or NHEP orientation is scheduled, and list every document still needed?”
Calling about an NHEP barrier
“I want to follow my employment plan, but I have a barrier involving [child care, transportation, health, caregiving, school, or safety]. What proof is needed, and can the plan or exemption decision be put in writing?”
Asking about child-support safety
“Child-support cooperation may cause harm to me or my child. I want to claim good cause and ask about the Family Violence Option. Can I speak privately and use a safe phone number?”
Calling about an appeal
“I received a FANF notice dated [date]. It says my benefits will [be denied, reduced, sanctioned, or closed]. What is my appeal deadline, and can someone explain whether benefits may continue?”
Resumen en español
En New Hampshire, TANF se llama Financial Assistance to Needy Families, o FANF. Puede dar ayuda temporal en efectivo a algunas familias de bajos ingresos con hijos dependientes. Puede solicitar por NH EASY, por teléfono, por correo o en una oficina de DHHS.
Llame a DHHS al 1-844-275-3447. Generalmente, DHHS debe decidir una solicitud de dinero dentro de 45 días. Muchas personas deben completar una entrevista y una orientación del programa de empleo.
Si recibe una carta que niega, reduce o cierra FANF, léala pronto. Generalmente, tiene 30 días para pedir una audiencia. Si hay violencia o peligro, llame al 911 o a la línea estatal al 1-866-644-3574 desde un teléfono seguro.
FAQ
What is TANF called in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire calls its TANF cash-assistance program Financial Assistance to Needy Families, or FANF.
How do I apply for FANF?
Apply through NH EASY, by paper, by phone, or through a DHHS District Office. Call 1-844-275-3447 for application and case help.
How long does a FANF decision take?
DHHS generally must decide a cash-assistance application within 45 calendar days. Missing an interview, orientation, or required proof can delay the case.
How much can FANF pay in 2026?
The maximum standard is $1,366 for three people and $1,650 for four people. Countable income and case rules may lower the actual payment.
Does FANF have work requirements?
Many adults are assigned to NHEP work activities. Health, caregiving, age, disability benefits, or caring for a young baby may support an exemption in some cases.
What if child-support cooperation is unsafe?
Tell DHHS you want to claim good cause and ask about the Family Violence Option. Use a safe contact method and consider speaking with an advocate.
What if DHHS denies or closes FANF?
Read the notice and act quickly. Most appeals must be requested within 30 days. Filing within 15 days may preserve benefits in some cases.
Last updated: July 15, 2026 | Next review: October 15, 2026
About this guide
This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.
A Single Mother is independent and is not a government agency, benefits office, lender, law firm, medical provider, or tax advisor.
Program rules, funding, local availability, and eligibility can change. Always confirm details with the official program before you apply or make decisions.
Verification: Last verified July 15, 2026, next review October 15, 2026.
Corrections: If you see something wrong or outdated, email suggestions@asinglemother.org.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It is not legal, financial, medical, tax, immigration, disability, safety, or government-agency advice.