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The Division of Family Assistance provides financial assistance to needy individuals who meet the definition of one of the following State Supplement Program groups:
Old Age Assistance (OAA) You must be 65 years of age or older.
Aid to the Permanently and Totally Disabled (APTD) You must be physically or mentally disabled and between the ages of 18 and 64.
Aid to the Needy Blind (ANB) You must meet the legal definition of blindness (there is no age requirement).
Eligibility depends upon income, resources, and living arrangement. Individuals eligible for State Supplemental are also automatically eligible for Medicaid. A separate medical determination by the Office of Medicaid Business and Policy is required for ANB and APTD.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
Citizenship Status/Immigration: You must be either a U.S. citizen or an eligible qualified alien.
Residency: You must be a current resident of NH, but you do not need to live in NH for a specified length of time.
Social Security Number: The law requires that you furnish a Social Security Number or verification of an application for a Social Security Number if one has never been issued or you cannot provide the number.
Living Arrangement: You must be prepared to describe your living situation to us. We need to know if you are living on your own or living with others in a group home type situation, such as a smaller family care or assisted living facility. The income limits vary by your living arrangement.
Potential Income: You must be prepared to explore and develop all potential sources of income to which you may be entitled. For example, if you are potentially eligible for any of the following (or additional benefits not listed), you must apply for them (we can help you do this):
- Social Security Benefits (including SSI)
- Retirement Benefits or Pensions
- Unemployment or Worker's Compensation
- Third Party Medical Coverage
- VA Benefits (including Aid and Attendance)
- Disability Benefits or Pensions
- Contributions from any Liable Third Party
FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS
Financial requirements are broken into two components; income and resources. You are considered financially eligible for the OAA, APTD or ANB programs if both income and resource requirements are met.
Income: All available income for you and your spouse, when living together, is counted when we determine your eligibility for the OAA, APTD and ANB Programs. However, we subtract certain expenses from that total. If, after subtracting your expenses, your total net income equals or falls below the monthly net income limits for your living arrangement and the program for which you are applying, you are considered income eligible.
Resources: All resources which you and, if applicable, your spouse own are considered to determine eligibility. Examples of resources are cash, bank accounts, stocks, bonds, some life insurance, permanently unoccupied real estate and some trusts. We do not count certain resources, such as the home you are living in, vehicles or burial plots for yourself. If, after counting or excluding your household's resources, your total countable resources equal or fall below $1,500, you are considered resource eligible.
What Happens Now? If you meet the requirements above and think your income and resources are close to the figures provided and you would like to apply for OAA, APTD or ANB, you should:
- Visit a DHHS District Office and speak with a DHHS worker who will assist you through the application interview process; and
- Provide copies of any information that we may need.
Please Note: NH Statutes require OAA and APTD cash applicants to agree to a lien on all real estate owned by the applicant or spouse so that NH can recover all cash assistance provided.
Right to an Administrative Appeal Hearing
If you disagree with any decision the Division of Family Assistance makes on your case, you may request an Administrative Appeals hearing.
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