Last updated: July 15, 2026
Bottom line
New Hampshire does not have one transportation program that covers every trip. The best place to start depends on why you need the ride. Medicaid may cover travel to covered health care. Work programs may help with approved job, training, or child care travel. Local buses, disability paratransit, volunteer drivers, town welfare, and 211 may fill other gaps.
Call before you pay for gas, a rideshare, a bus pass, or a repair. Many programs require advance approval. Keep the appointment notice, work schedule, training plan, receipts, mileage, and the name of each person you speak with.
The national transportation help guide explains common ride programs. The New Hampshire help page can help you check food, housing, health, and cash support at the same time.
If you need a ride now
Call 911 for a medical or safety emergency. Medicaid non-emergency transportation is not an ambulance replacement.
- Medical appointment: Call the transportation number for your current Medicaid plan. Use the official New Hampshire Medicaid rides page to confirm the right program.
- Food, shelter, or basic needs: Call 211 New Hampshire at 1-866-444-4211. The service is free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day.
- Disability or caregiver need: Call an Aging and Disability center at 1-866-634-9412 for local referrals.
- Urgent family crisis: Check the ASMOM New Hampshire emergency guide while you contact local offices.
Where to start
The trip is medical
Call your Medicaid plan before the appointment. Ask about a scheduled ride, public transit, or family-and-friends mileage reimbursement.
The trip is for work
Ask NHWorks, WorkNowNH, FANF/NHEP, SNAP Employment and Training, or a WIOA worker about approved travel support.
You need a local ride
Search the statewide directory, then check buses, volunteer drivers, shuttles, and paratransit in your region.
You cannot pay today
Ask 211, town welfare, a Community Action agency, your school, or a clinic social worker about local help.
The ASMOM documents checklist can help you save proof before several offices ask for the same information.
Quick reference
| Need | Best first call | What may help | Reality check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Covered health visit | Medicaid plan or broker | Ride, bus fare, or mileage | Advance approval is often required. |
| Work or training | NHWorks or program worker | Mileage, pass, or approved support | The trip must fit an approved plan. |
| Local errands | Keep NH Moving or 211 | Bus, shuttle, or volunteer driver | Service depends on town and trip type. |
| Disability-related trip | Transit agency or ADRC | ADA paratransit or local referral | An application may be required. |
| Car repair | NHEP worker or town welfare | Approved repair payment | There is no general statewide repair grant. |
Medical rides through New Hampshire Medicaid
Medicaid non-emergency medical transportation, often called NEMT, may help when you have no other way to reach a Medicaid-covered medical, dental, behavioral health, or pharmacy service. The program uses the least costly safe travel method that meets your need.
You may receive a ride, public transit help, or reimbursement when you or someone you know drives. Call before the visit. A broker may need to approve the trip, register the driver, give you a trip number, or require a signed trip log.
| Coverage | Routine ride number | Usual notice | Official details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medicaid Fee for Service | 844-259-4780 | At least 48 hours | Fee-for-service rides |
| AmeriHealth Caritas | 833-301-2264 | At least 48 hours | AmeriHealth ride page |
| NH Healthy Families | 888-597-1192 | Two business days | NH Healthy Families guide |
| WellSense | 844-909-7433 | Two business days | WellSense transportation |
Numbers and vendors can change. Check your current member card and the state page before each new request. Tell the broker about a wheelchair, walker, car seat, service animal, language need, or another safe-travel need when you book.
Mileage reimbursement
Ask for approval before the trip even when a friend or relative will drive. Keep the trip number and follow the plan’s deadline. For example, WellSense says eligible trips must be reported before the appointment and its reimbursement form must be submitted within 60 days.
If the ride does not arrive
Call the broker right away. Tell the clinic that the transportation failed and ask staff to record what happened. If missed or late rides continue, ask the broker for its complaint process and call your plan’s member services. The New Hampshire health guide lists related coverage help.
Transportation for work, training, and child care
Work programs do not normally provide open-ended gas money. Travel support must usually connect to an approved job search, work activity, training course, or employment plan.
WorkNowNH
WorkNowNH is a free state program for some people enrolled in Medicaid, SNAP, or TANF. It may provide travel reimbursement along with training, books, supplies, case management, and job placement. Ask a counselor for the current limit and approval rules. Use the NHES office list or call the NHES Employment Hotline at 603-271-7700 to start.
The ASMOM New Hampshire training guide explains other job and education paths. Parents who need care during work or training can also check New Hampshire child care.
FANF and the New Hampshire Employment Program
FANF participants in approved New Hampshire Employment Program activities may receive travel help when it is written into the Employment Plan. The current NHEP travel policy allows actual travel costs up to $250 a month for approved mileage or public and private carrier costs.
Ask your worker before spending money. Travel between home, child care, and an approved activity may qualify, but unapproved trips may not. The ASMOM New Hampshire TANF guide covers FANF and NHEP basics.
SNAP Employment and Training
The current SNAP E&T rules allow 30 cents per mile for private travel or actual approved public travel costs, with a $100 monthly transportation maximum. The documentation must normally reach the program within 90 days of travel.
Only enrolled participants traveling for approved SNAP E&T activities can use this support. The New Hampshire SNAP guide gives more information about food benefits and employment services.
WIOA support
A WIOA counselor may approve transportation when it is needed to take part in an approved workforce activity and other help is not available. The state’s workforce programs page explains where WIOA fits. Amounts and approval rules depend on your plan and local funds.
Local buses, shuttles, and volunteer rides
New Hampshire transportation is regional. Start with Keep NH Moving, the official statewide directory for community transportation and regional mobility managers. Search by location, rider need, and trip type.
For southeastern New Hampshire, TripLink serves 38 towns and uses one application for several nonprofit transportation services. Its call center is 603-834-6010, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Volunteer programs can help in areas with few bus routes, but a request is not a guaranteed ride. The CVTC ride program serves 36 Monadnock-area towns and asks for at least one week’s notice. Transport Central focuses on non-emergency medical travel in a 19-town central New Hampshire area. Tri-County Transit provides public and specialized transportation in Coos, Carroll, and northern Grafton counties.
Call before making plans
Local services may limit towns, trip purposes, rider ages, disability status, days, or monthly rides. Volunteer drivers may not be available. Ask whether children can ride, whether a car seat is required, and when the program will confirm the trip.
ADA paratransit and accessible transit
ADA paratransit is not based on low income. It is for a person whose disability or health condition prevents use of the regular fixed-route bus for some or all trips. A transit agency reviews functional ability, not only a diagnosis.
COAST paratransit serves eligible riders in the COAST fixed-route area. Manchester StepSaver provides shared rides in and near the Manchester route area. Nashua paratransit requires an application before riders can book trips.
Ask for an application in an accessible format and request a reasonable modification when needed. The national disability support guide covers other help for parents and children with disabilities.
Town or city welfare help
Every New Hampshire city and town must run a local general assistance system under RSA 165. The office must use written guidelines. It may help with necessary needs when a household cannot cover them, but each town decides whether a transportation cost is necessary and whether a cheaper safe option exists.
Ask for a written application even if a worker says no by phone. Bring the trip reason, deadline, income, bank balance, bills, and proof that another ride is not available. Local welfare generally pays a provider or offers direct assistance rather than handing out cash.
The town welfare guide from 603 Legal Aid explains application and hearing rights. The ASMOM New Hampshire legal guide lists more places to ask for help.
Gas cards, repairs, and donated cars
There is no guaranteed statewide free-car program for single mothers. Gas cards and repair help are usually local, limited, and tied to work, health care, safety, or another basic need.
NHEP may reimburse an approved participant for necessary auto repairs. The current NHEP repair policy limits reimbursement to $1,000 per person during each state fiscal year, July 1 through June 30. The repair must support an approved NHEP activity and must be authorized before the work.
For other help, ask 211, town welfare, a school or clinic social worker, or a local Community Action agency. The Community Action guide explains how to find the right agency. The New Hampshire utility guide and New Hampshire housing guide may free part of the budget for transportation.
Watch for car-help scams
Do not pay an application fee for a guaranteed car, repair grant, or gas card. Do not send identity documents to an unknown social media account. Use official offices, known nonprofits, and referrals from 211, a school, a clinic, or a caseworker.
What to gather before you call
| Help type | Have ready | Ask first |
|---|---|---|
| Medicaid ride | Member ID, plan name, provider, date, time, addresses | “Do I need advance approval?” |
| Mileage repayment | Driver details, trip number, mileage, signed log | “What is the filing deadline?” |
| Work travel | Work schedule, training plan, child care route, receipts | “Can this go in my plan?” |
| Car repair | Estimate, registration, insurance, work or health proof | “Must you approve the shop?” |
| Local welfare | Income, bank balance, bills, trip need, deadline | “May I file today?” |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Waiting until the morning of a routine appointment to request a ride.
- Paying for travel or repairs before asking about prior approval.
- Calling an old plan number instead of checking the current member card.
- Forgetting the trip number, provider signature, receipt, or filing deadline.
- Not telling the driver program about children, car seats, mobility devices, or language needs.
- Assuming a volunteer ride is confirmed before the program calls back.
If transportation is denied, delayed, or does not arrive
For Medicaid, ask the broker why the ride or reimbursement was denied. Request the reason in writing and ask how to file a complaint. Contact your health plan’s member services when the broker cannot solve the problem.
If DHHS makes a decision you disagree with, the administrative appeals page says most appeals must be filed within 30 days of the notice. Follow the deadline on your own notice because the rule can differ by program or action.
For NHEP, SNAP E&T, or WIOA, ask the worker to identify the policy, the missing proof, and whether another support can meet the need. Ask for a supervisor or written decision when needed.
For town welfare, ask for a written decision and appeal instructions. If the town will not let you apply or you believe the decision is wrong, contact 603 Legal Aid. The ASMOM benefits problem guide can help you organize calls, records, and deadlines.
Backup options
- Ask the clinic: A social worker may help rebook, document a failed ride, or find a local medical driver.
- Ask the school: A family liaison may know local bus passes, gas cards, or child transportation services.
- Ask the child care program: Head Start and some centers know local family transportation options.
- Call 211 again: Funding and volunteer availability can change from week to week.
- Use several programs: Medical, work, and local errands may each need a different ride source.
Phone scripts
Request a Medicaid ride
“I need transportation to a Medicaid-covered appointment on [date] at [time]. I have no other safe ride. Can you schedule transportation or approve family-and-friends mileage reimbursement?”
Ask for work travel help
“Transportation is blocking my approved work or training activity. Can mileage, a bus pass, child care travel, or another ride cost be added to my plan before I spend money?”
Call a volunteer program
“I live in [town] and need a ride for [reason] on [date]. Do you serve my town and trip type? When will I know whether a driver is available?”
Apply through town welfare
“I cannot pay for transportation needed for [medical care, work, food, or another basic need]. I want to file a written welfare application today. What proof should I bring?”
Resumen en español
New Hampshire no tiene un solo programa que pague todos los viajes. Para una cita cubierta por Medicaid, llame al número de transporte de su plan antes de la cita. Pregunte por un viaje, transporte público o reembolso de millas.
Para trabajo o capacitación, pregunte a WorkNowNH, NHWorks, FANF/NHEP, SNAP E&T o WIOA. No pague gasolina, autobús o reparación antes de preguntar si necesita aprobación.
Para transporte local, use Keep NH Moving, llame al 211 o pregunte en su oficina de bienestar municipal. Los viajes voluntarios dependen del pueblo, el motivo del viaje y la disponibilidad del conductor.
Guarde su número de caso, recibos, millas, fecha de la cita y nombres de las personas con quienes habló. Si le niegan ayuda, pida la razón por escrito y las instrucciones para apelar.
FAQs
Can New Hampshire Medicaid pay for a ride?
Yes. Medicaid may provide a ride, public transit help, or mileage reimbursement for a covered medical, dental, behavioral health, or pharmacy service when you have no other way to travel.
How early should I request a Medicaid ride?
Routine rides usually require at least 48 hours or two business days of notice, depending on the plan. Call sooner when possible and follow the instructions on your current member card.
Can a work program pay for gas?
Sometimes. NHEP, WorkNowNH, SNAP E&T, or WIOA may cover approved travel tied to work or training. Ask before spending money because the trip must fit the program plan.
Can NHEP help repair my car?
NHEP may reimburse up to $1,000 per state fiscal year for an approved repair needed for an authorized employment activity. The repair must be approved before the work is done.
Does New Hampshire give free cars?
There is no guaranteed statewide free-car program for single mothers. Local charities or work programs may offer limited repair or travel help when funding and program rules allow.
Can my child ride with me?
Rules depend on the broker, transit agency, vehicle, and trip. Tell the program when you book that your child must travel and ask about car seats, escorts, and passenger limits.
What if my Medicaid ride never arrives?
Call the broker at once, tell the clinic, and keep notes. Ask the broker how to file a complaint and contact your health plan member services if the problem is not fixed.
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.