Utility Assistance for Single Mothers in New Hampshire

Where to start

Quick reference

Current income limits

The income threshold for Fuel Assistance, Electric Assistance, and Weatherization is currently 60% of New Hampshire State Median Income. The state updated these figures on May 28, 2026. The amounts may change again for a future program year.

Use the official current income limits before applying. Income is not the only rule. The program may also review household size, New Hampshire residence, energy responsibility, vulnerability, and program funding.

Fuel Assistance for heating costs

The Fuel Assistance Program is New Hampshire’s LIHEAP program. It can help eligible renters and homeowners with oil, propane, kerosene, wood, pellets, natural gas, electric heat, or heat included in rent.

The latest posted state information lists benefits from $100 to $2,177, with an average benefit of $1,045. The amount is calculated using household income, energy cost, local heating needs, and housing type. It is not a promise to pay the full balance.

Benefits usually go to the utility or fuel vendor. Fuel Assistance does not count as income when applying for other assistance programs. Households can apply for Fuel Assistance, Electric Assistance, and Weatherization through the same Community Action intake.

Current seasonal status

The 2025–2026 procedures describe the winter operating season as December 1 through on or around April 30. That season has ended. New Hampshire has started planning the 2026–2027 program year, but final application dates, benefit amounts, and crisis rules should be confirmed with the state or your Community Action Agency.

If heat is included in rent

Renters whose heat is included in rent may still qualify. Bring the lease and proof of rent. Explain whether the housing is subsidized and whether you receive a utility allowance.

Electric and natural-gas discounts

Electric Assistance Program

The Electric Assistance Program gives eligible customers a monthly discount of 5% to 86%, depending on household income and household size.

Customers of Eversource, Unitil, Liberty, and New Hampshire Electric Cooperative may apply. The program lowers ongoing bills, but a past-due balance usually needs a separate payment plan or hardship fund.

Gas Assistance Program

The Gas Assistance Program may provide a 45% discount on winter heating bills from November through April for eligible Liberty and Unitil natural-gas heating customers.

This program does not cover oil, propane, wood, pellets, or every gas account. Ask Community Action or the utility which heating program fits your bill.

Weatherization and home energy upgrades

The state Weatherization program can reduce future energy use through approved air sealing, insulation, health and safety work, and other improvements. Owners and renters may qualify.

After income eligibility is confirmed, the application goes onto a waiting list. Priority may go to households with a person with a disability, an older adult, a child under age 6, or very high energy costs.

The utility-funded Home Energy Assistance program can cover 100% of approved weatherization and inefficient-equipment work for eligible homes. A landlord may need to give permission for a rental property.

Winter and medical shutoff protections

New Hampshire’s winter period runs from November 15 through March 31. Special payment and disconnection rules apply during that period, but there is no simple rule that every customer can keep service without making arrangements.

A winter rules overview explains that special protections apply during the winter period, but they are not a total shutoff ban. Contact the utility before the notice date and ask for a payment arrangement.

If loss of electric, gas, water, or sewer service would create a health danger, ask the utility for a medical-emergency certification form. A licensed medical or mental-health professional must certify the condition. The certification gives added protection, but the household must still pay current bills or arrange payment of the balance.

When the utility does not explain the bill or follow its rules, use the state Consumer Services complaint page. Call 800-852-3793 after first trying to resolve the issue with the company.

Water, sewer, and town welfare

The temporary federal Low Income Household Water Assistance Program is no longer a dependable statewide application path. Start with the water or sewer provider and ask for a payment plan, hardship review, reconnection terms, and the exact shutoff date.

Every New Hampshire town or city administers general assistance under town welfare law. Local welfare may help with necessary expenses when income and available resources are not enough. Assistance is normally paid to the provider rather than handed to the household as cash.

Ask town or city hall for the welfare official and request a written application. In an emergency, the town should make a decision before a utility shutoff or other urgent deadline. The town welfare guide explains application and appeal rights in plain language.

Local hardship and arrearage funds

Local help changes by utility and available donations. These programs can run out of money and may require proof that the household tried Fuel Assistance or another program first.

• Neighbor Helping Neighbor: The Neighbor fund serves some households with a heat or electric emergency that do not qualify for federal energy help. Applications go through Community Action.
• Eversource New Start: The New Start program may forgive part of eligible electric arrears when the customer makes agreed monthly payments.
• NHEC Project Care: New Hampshire Electric Cooperative members can ask about Project Care assistance during a financial crisis.

ASMOM’s New Hampshire community guide lists more local starting points. The Community Action guide explains how to prepare for the agency call.

Phone and internet help

Lifeline provides a monthly discount of up to $9.25 on eligible phone, internet, or bundled service. Only one Lifeline benefit is allowed per household.

You may qualify through income or participation in SNAP, Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, federal housing assistance, Veterans Pension, or certain Tribal programs. The official Lifeline qualification page lists the current 2026 rules.

Ask the service provider about equipment, activation, taxes, plan limits, and yearly recertification. ASMOM’s phone and internet guide covers more low-cost service options.

Documents and information to gather

Do not wait for a perfect packet before calling. Ask what proof is missing and whether the office accepts uploads, mail, email, or a phone interview.

Use ASMOM’s benefits documents checklist to keep notices, bills, receipts, and call notes together.

If help is denied, delayed, or ignored

Ask for the decision in writing. Find out whether the problem is missing proof, income, household size, an incorrect utility account, an expired certification, unavailable funding, or a program rule.

Fuel Assistance applicants who question a denial, benefit amount, or processing decision may appeal through the Community Action Agency and request a fair administrative hearing. Follow the deadline and steps in the notice because appeal timing can vary by decision.

For a utility dispute, call the company first and then Consumer Services. For town welfare, insist on a written application and written decision. A town decision should explain the reason and appeal rights.

603 Legal Aid provides civil legal screening at 603-224-3333. Help depends on the legal issue, income, conflicts, and staff availability.

ASMOM’s benefits problem guide can help you organize the case. The New Hampshire legal guide lists more legal-help paths.