FAQs for the Office of the Commissioner

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. If I suspect or know of Child Abuse or Neglect, what should I do?
2. How do I find out if my application for Food Stamps, Medicaid, Cash Assistance, Emergency Assistance or Child Care Assistance has been approved?
3. I need help with a rental security deposit for housing, what do I do, who do I call or where do I go?
4. I'm expecting a Child Care payment and haven't received it. How do I find out where my check is?
5. I haven't received my Child Support check, what do I do?
6. Who do I contact if I have a complaint regarding getting my child support money or the delays in other services related to my child support order?

Questions & Answers:
1. If I suspect or know of Child Abuse or Neglect, what should I do?	Back to top
NH Statutes require anyone who suspects child abuse or neglect to report it immediately. Call the Child Abuse Report Line at 1-800-894-5533 or (603) 271-6556 during DHHS business hours (Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM). Call the police after hours, weekends or holidays to make urgent reports of child abuse or neglect. For more information regarding Child Abuse and Neglect please see information on the Bureau of Child Protection pages.

2. How do I find out if my application for Food Stamps, Medicaid, Cash Assistance, Emergency Assistance or Child Care Assistance has been approved?	Back to top
You will always receive a Notice of Decision by mail letting you know the status of your case, that is, was it approved or denied, is it still under review, or is more information needed to make a decision. If you think you should have heard something by now but have not received a notice, you should contact the Case Technician in your local DHHS District Office who is assigned to your case. In many DHHS District Offices administrative staff may also be able to help you. If you are unable to reach anyone in a District Office after several attempts you may call the Division of Family Assistance Customer Service Representative. It is a standard procedure at DHHS District Offices that all phone calls be returned within 24 business hours, so you may not receive a phone call immediately if you leave a message, but you should receive a return call within 24 business hours.

3. I need help with a rental security deposit for housing, what do I do, who do I call or where do I go?	Back to top
The Division of Family Assistance administers the Emergency Assistance Program that provides assistance for utility bill arrears, utility bill security deposits, mortgage arrears and fuel for heating or cooking as well as help with security deposits. Please see the Emergency Assistance Program guidelines to determine if you are eligible for assistance from this program.

4. I'm expecting a Child Care payment and haven't received it. How do I find out where my check is?	Back to top
The first thing you should do is call the Claims Payment Voice Response System at 1-888-294-4353 anytime (24 hours a day, 7 days a week).This system can tell you if your check is in process, if it was processed and is ready to mail to you, and the last five checks mailed to you.

5. I haven't received my Child Support check, what do I do?	Back to top
Child support checks are issued with in two business days of receipt of a child support payment. You may check the status of issued checks anytime by calling: Child Support Voice Response System 1-800-371-8844

6. Who do I contact if I have a complaint regarding getting my child support money or the delays in other services related to my child support order?	Back to top
If you have a specific complaint regarding a Child Support Worker you may contact a Child Support Customer Service Representative.