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Social Security disability

Disability benefits in New Hampshire

Social Security rules are the same in every state. This page covers what is different in New Hampshire: who decides your claim, state money added to SSI, Medicaid, hearings and free help.

You have 60 days to appeal each decision, plus 5 days for mail.

How to appeal a denialAppeal deadline calculator

Who decides your claim in New Hampshire?

Bureau of Disability Determination Services

After Social Security checks your work credits (SSDI) or income and savings (SSI), it sends your file to DDS. DDS gathers your medical records and decides if you are disabled under Social Security law. Social Security makes the final decision on your benefits.

Part of
New Hampshire Department of Education
Phone
(603) 271-3341 (toll-free 1-877-424-7985 ext. 75620)
Mail
Disability Determination Services, 21 South Fruit Street, Suite 30, Concord, NH 03301

Find a Social Security office

Does New Hampshire add money to SSI?

Aid to the Permanently and Totally Disabled (APTD)

APTD is state cash help for people ages 18 to 64 with a physical or mental disability that stops them from working and is expected to last at least 48 months or result in death. The state decides if you are disabled. Your countable savings and other assets must be $1,500 or less. Your home, vehicles and burial plots do not count. You must also apply for other income you may get, including SSI. If you get APTD cash, you also get medical assistance. APTD pays the difference between the standard of need and your countable income, including SSI.

Paid by: the state

WhoStandard of needEffective
standard of need, 1 person, independent living$1,008January 1, 2026
standard of need, 2 people, independent living$1,492January 1, 2026
standard of need, residential care facility$1,188January 1, 2026
standard of need, community residence (subsidized)$1,070January 1, 2026
How to apply
Visit a New Hampshire DHHS District Office. A worker will help you through the application interview. Tell DHHS about changes in your income, savings or address within 10 days.
Contact
New Hampshire DHHS - Division of Family Assistance
1-844-275-3447 (1-844-ASK-DHHS)
https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/programs-services/disability-care/aid-permanently-totally-disabled

Medicaid in New Hampshire

New Hampshire uses its own, stricter Medicaid rules for people who are aged, blind or disabled. Getting SSI does not sign you up for Medicaid. You must apply for Medicaid with the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. If your income is too high, a 'spend-down' lets you subtract medical bills from your income to reach the Medicaid limit.

Program
New Hampshire Medicaid
Medicaid agency
New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/
1-844-275-3447 (1-844-ASK-DHHS), TDD Relay 1-800-735-2964, Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Medicaid for working people with disabilities: Medicaid for Employed Adults with Disabilities (MEAD)

MEAD gives Medicaid to adults ages 18 to 64 with disabilities who work and have higher income. It has higher income and asset limits. Earnings you keep in a separate Protected Earned Income Account are treated differently. If you lose your job, you may keep MEAD for a 6-month grace period. People 65 and older can use MOAD. Apply through NH EASY, your local DHHS District Office, or call 1-844-275-3447.

https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/programs-services/medicaid/nh-medicaid-medical-assistance-eligibility/mead-and-moad-eligibility

State disability and paid leave in New Hampshire

New Hampshire Paid Family and Medical Leave (NH PFML) - voluntary

Run by
State of New Hampshire
Who it covers
This is a voluntary insurance plan, not a required state program. You are covered only if your employer bought the plan or you bought it yourself.
Benefit
60% of your average weekly wage (up to the Social Security wage cap), for up to 6 weeks a year.
How to file
Ask your employer if it offers the plan. If not, you can buy the Individual Plan yourself, but only during open enrollment, December 1 to January 29.
Filing deadline
Individual Plan open enrollment: December 1 - January 29 each year
Phone
1-866-595-7365 (1-866-595-PFML, MetLife Customer Solution Center)

Hearing offices and federal court in New Hampshire

1 hearing office serves New Hampshire. Hearing office locator (Social Security)

Manchester, NH Hearing Office

Hearing office

Address
Suite 303, 1750 Elm Street, Manchester, NH 03104
Fax
(833) 563-0487

Federal district court

If you appeal to federal court, you file in the district court that covers your county.

U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire

Court help for people without a lawyer

Counties covered (10)
  • Belknap
  • Carroll
  • Cheshire
  • Coos
  • Grafton
  • Hillsborough
  • Merrimack
  • Rockingham
  • Strafford
  • Sullivan

Free help in New Hampshire

Protection & Advocacy agency (P&A)

Disability Rights Center - NH

Phone
603-228-0432 (toll-free voice/TTY 800-834-1721)

Legal aid

Benefits counseling and work (WIPA)

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)

Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation, New Hampshire Department of Education

ABLE savings account

The NH ABLE Plan

More free help across the country →

Good to know in New Hampshire

  • New Hampshire is a 209(b) state: SSI does not bring Medicaid automatically. You apply for Medicaid with the state. (POMS SI 01715.010)

More RobinClaim guides for New Hampshire → · All states

Sources

Last checked: November 2026