While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the LIHEAP program and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.

New Hampshire Food Stamps FAQ Sheets

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What Are Food Stamps?

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as Food Stamps, helps eligible low-income individuals and families buy the food they need to stay healthy in the form of monthly benefits.

SNAP uses Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards to distribute the benefits.

The New Hampshire SNAP food assistance program is administered by the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Learn more about SNAP on the New Hampshire DHHS website here.

What Can Food Stamps Buy?

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, SNAP benefits can be used to purchase approved food items. These include:

  • Fruits and vegetables;
  • Meat, poultry, and fish;
  • Dairy products;
  • Breads and cereals;
  • Other foods such as snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages; and
  • Seeds and plants, which produce food for the household to eat.

See a more comprehensive list of what you can buy with SNAP benefits here and a list of approved snacks and meal supplements here.

There are also food items that cannot be purchased with SNAP benefits, including alcoholic beverages and hot prepared food. See a comprehensive list of what you cannot buy with SNAP benefits here.

How Much Assistance Does SNAP Provide?

SNAP provides monthly benefits, known as an allotment, to eligible households. The allotment amount you can receive is based on 1) the number of people in your household and 2) your household income.

To calculate your allotment amount, multiply your household’s net income by 0.3 and then subtract that number from the federal maximum monthly benefit amount in the table below.

Household NumberFederal Maximum Allotment Per Month
1$291
2$535
3$766
4$973
5$1,155
6$1,386
7$1,532
8$1,751
Each additional household member+219

You have one year (365 days) to use your allotment or the benefits on your EBT card will be canceled.

Requirements to Qualify for SNAP in New Hampshire

To qualify for SNAP in New Hampshire, you must meet the following requirements:

  • You must be a United States citizen or legal resident
  • You must be a resident of New Hampshire
  • You must have a household income and resources that do not exceed the limits set by New Hampshire and the federal government
  • You must work or participate in an employment training program, if applicable

Learn more about New Hampshire’s income limits and other eligibility criteria here.

Steps to Apply for SNAP in New Hampshire

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the New Hampshire Food Stamps program, helps families buy the food they need to stay healthy. If you are in need of food assistance and wish to apply to SNAP, complete the following three steps:

  1. Review the application requirements.

Learn about the income limits and personal eligibility requirements to receive SNAP benefits here.

  1. Gather the documentation and information you will need for the application.

You can view a copy of the application here to see what information is required.

  1. Choose how you are going to apply, whether online, in person, or by mail.

To apply for SNAP online, create an account on New Hampshire’s NHEasy here and fill out the SNAP application.

To apply for SNAP in person, click here to find the nearest New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services office location.

To apply for SNAP by mail, fill out the Application for Assistance found here and send it with copies of your necessary documents to your local DHHS office.

If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, contact the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare at 1 (800) 852-3345 Ext 9700.

How to Check Your Application Status

Depending on your method of application, you can check your application status in the following ways:

  • If you applied online, you can check your application status using NHEasy portal here.
  • All applicants can call 1 (800) 852-3345 Ext. 9700 to check the status of your application.

What Happens After You Apply for SNAP?

It can take up to 30 days to process a SNAP application. After applying for benefits, you may need to speak to a Family Services Specialist (FSS) to complete an eligibility interview.

After your application has been processed, you will receive a notice in the mail from the Department of Health and Human Services with your determination and benefit amount. If you are approved, you will then receive your EBT card in the mail.

If documents are missing from your application, or the DHHS needs more information from you to finish processing your request, you will need to provide that information or documentation before your application can be processed.

Once you receive your EBT card, you can use it to purchase items that are approved by SNAP at groceries and retail stores that accept EBT transactions. Learn about what you can purchase with SNAP here.

SNAP benefits are replenished each month that you are a member of the program. To check the balance of your EBT card, call the number on the back of your card or 1 (888) 997-9777. You can also check your balance online here.

How to Appeal a Denial of Benefits or a Low Benefit Amount

If you do not agree with the benefit decision given to you by the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, you can appeal your decision in person, by phone or by mail within 90 days of receiving your determination letter.

To file an appeal in person, visit a local Department of Health and Human Services office. You will need to speak with a representative and tell them why you are appealing your determination. Find your nearest location here.

To file an appeal by phone, call 1 (800) 852-3345 Ext. 9700 or your local DHHS office.

To file an appeal by mail, you will need to complete the Appeal Request form found here and mail it to your local DHHS office.

How to Check the Balance on Your EBT Card

You can check the balance of your EBT card by calling the number on the back of your card or (888) 997-9777. You can also check your balance online here.

Learn more information about EBT cards and how to use your benefits on the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services EBT card page here.

How to Replace a Lost EBT Card or Benefits

If you have not received your EBT card within 10 days of receiving your approval notice, call 1 (800) 852-3345 Ext 9700 for assistance.

If you have lost your EBT card and require a replacement, call New Hampshire’s EBT customer service number at 1 (888) 997-9777.

You cannot obtain a replacement EBT card in person at a Department of Health and Human Services office in New Hampshire.

For more answers to common questions related to EBT cards, click here.

Need More Help?

For help with obtaining SNAP benefits, or for any further questions about your application, call the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services at call 1 (800) 852-3345 Ext 9700.

You can also visit or call a local Department of Health and Human Services for further assistance. Find your nearest location here.

Offices and services are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

View or Download Our Free Guide

While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Food Stamps program and compiled a guide and these answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.

Our free Food Stamps Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, requirements for program eligibility, and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view our free guide here.

Last Updated: February 2, 2024

Table of Contents

Steps to Apply for SNAP in New Hampshire

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the New Hampshire Food Stamps program, helps families buy the food they need to stay healthy. If you are in need of food assistance and wish to apply to SNAP, complete the following three steps:

  1. Review the application requirements.

Learn about the income limits and personal eligibility requirements to receive SNAP benefits here.

  1. Gather the documentation and information you will need for the application.

You can view a copy of the application here to see what information is required.

  1. Choose how you are going to apply, whether online, in person, or by mail.

To apply for SNAP online, create an account on New Hampshire’s NHEasy here and fill out the SNAP application.

To apply for SNAP in person, click here to find the nearest New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services office location.

To apply for SNAP by mail, fill out the Application for Assistance found here and send it with copies of your necessary documents to your local DHHS office.

If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, contact the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare at 1 (800) 852-3345 Ext 9700.

How to Check Your Application Status

Depending on your method of application, you can check your application status in the following ways:

  • If you applied online, you can check your application status using NHEasy portal here.
  • All applicants can call 1 (800) 852-3345 Ext. 9700 to check the status of your application.

What Happens After You Apply for SNAP?

It can take up to 30 days to process a SNAP application. After applying for benefits, you may need to speak to a Family Services Specialist (FSS) to complete an eligibility interview.

After your application has been processed, you will receive a notice in the mail from the Department of Health and Human Services with your determination and benefit amount. If you are approved, you will then receive your EBT card in the mail.

If documents are missing from your application, or the DHHS needs more information from you to finish processing your request, you will need to provide that information or documentation before your application can be processed.

Once you receive your EBT card, you can use it to purchase items that are approved by SNAP at groceries and retail stores that accept EBT transactions. Learn about what you can purchase with SNAP here.

SNAP benefits are replenished each month that you are a member of the program. To check the balance of your EBT card, call the number on the back of your card or 1 (888) 997-9777. You can also check your balance online here.

How to Appeal a Denial of Benefits or a Low Benefit Amount

If you do not agree with the benefit decision given to you by the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, you can appeal your decision in person, by phone or by mail within 90 days of receiving your determination letter.

To file an appeal in person, visit a local Department of Health and Human Services office. You will need to speak with a representative and tell them why you are appealing your determination. Find your nearest location here.

To file an appeal by phone, call 1 (800) 852-3345 Ext. 9700 or your local DHHS office.

To file an appeal by mail, you will need to complete the Appeal Request form found here and mail it to your local DHHS office.

How to Check the Balance on Your EBT Card

You can check the balance of your EBT card by calling the number on the back of your card or (888) 997-9777. You can also check your balance online here.

Learn more information about EBT cards and how to use your benefits on the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services EBT card page here.

How to Replace a Lost EBT Card or Benefits

If you have not received your EBT card within 10 days of receiving your approval notice, call 1 (800) 852-3345 Ext 9700 for assistance.

If you have lost your EBT card and require a replacement, call New Hampshire’s EBT customer service number at 1 (888) 997-9777.

You cannot obtain a replacement EBT card in person at a Department of Health and Human Services office in New Hampshire.

For more answers to common questions related to EBT cards, click here.

Need More Help?

For help with obtaining SNAP benefits, or for any further questions about your application, call the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services at call 1 (800) 852-3345 Ext 9700.

You can also visit or call a local Department of Health and Human Services for further assistance. Find your nearest location here.

Offices and services are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

View or Download Our Free Guide

While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Food Stamps program and compiled a guide and these answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.

Our free Food Stamps Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, requirements for program eligibility, and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view our free guide here.

Last Updated: February 2, 2024