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Last updated: 27 September 2026
New Hampshire does not use a simple county-by-county Area Agency on Aging setup like many states. Its Aging and Disability Resource Center network is commonly known as ServiceLink and works within the broader NHCarePath “no wrong door” system. This guide shows older adults and caregivers where to start, what to ask for, and what to do if the first referral does not solve the problem.
Bottom Line
For most aging, disability, caregiver, Medicare, Medicaid long-term care, meal, transportation, and local-service questions, call New Hampshire’s Aging and Disability Resource Center at 1-866-634-9412. The state’s ADRC program is designed to help people find the right local or state path. A referral is not an approval, and each benefit can have its own rules.
Urgent Help
Immediate danger: Call 911.
Food, shelter, heat, utility, or other urgent local needs: Call 2-1-1 or use 211 New Hampshire. For a broader backup plan, see the GFS New Hampshire emergency guide.
Possible adult abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or exploitation: New Hampshire Adult Protective Services lists 603-271-7014 and 1-800-949-0470 for reports. Use the state adult abuse page for current instructions. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.
Long-term care facility concern: The Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman can help residents and families with complaints and resident-rights concerns. The state lists 603-271-4375 and 1-800-442-5640. See the ombudsman program.
Mental health crisis: Call or text 988 for the 988 Lifeline.
Start Here
- Call 1-866-634-9412. Give your town and ZIP code first. Say the problem in one sentence.
- Ask for the right pathway. This may be Medicare counseling, caregiver support, meals, transportation, person-centered counseling, Medicaid long-term care, or a local senior resource.
- Ask for a backup. If the first program has a wait, funding limit, or eligibility rule that does not fit, ask what can help while you wait.
Quick-Reference Table
| Need | Best first route | Reality check |
|---|---|---|
| Not sure where to begin | ADRC at 1-866-634-9412 | The ADRC can guide you, but another program may make the final eligibility decision. |
| Medicare questions | ADRC / SHIP counselor | Bring your Medicare card, drug list, doctors, pharmacy, and current plan details. |
| Care at home | ADRC and Medicaid | Medicaid long-term care uses both financial and clinical eligibility rules. |
| Food or meals | ADRC, meal provider, or NH EASY | Meal services and SNAP use different rules and application steps. |
| Transportation | ADRC or regional provider | Service areas, trip purposes, schedules, and rider rules vary. |
| State benefit application | NH EASY or DHHS | Save confirmation numbers and copies of anything you submit. |
What Has Changed
- Choices for Independence remains active. The federal Medicaid record shows the current New Hampshire Choices for Independence waiver was approved July 1, 2026 and runs through June 30, 2027. A July 2026 BAAS update says the amended waiver also changed parts of the medical eligibility and reassessment process. Applicants should use current DHHS forms and instructions. See the current CFI waiver record.
- ServiceLink is still the practical ADRC name. Current state materials describe the Aging and Disability Resource Center program as ServiceLink and place it within the statewide NHCarePath system.
- Current abuse-reporting contacts remain the same. New Hampshire’s 2026 Bureau of Adult and Aging Services material continues to list 603-271-7014 and 1-800-949-0470 for Adult Protective Services central intake.
How New Hampshire’s Aging System Works
In many states, a person looks up a county Area Agency on Aging. New Hampshire is different. The state uses a network of Aging and Disability Resource Centers, commonly called ServiceLink, as local access points. These centers are part of NHCarePath, New Hampshire’s broader “no wrong door” system for long-term services and supports.
The practical lesson is simple: you usually do not need to know the name of the perfect agency before you call. Start with the ADRC. Give your town, age, disability or caregiving situation when relevant, and the problem you are trying to solve. Staff can help sort out which office, program, or local provider should come next.
State planning materials describe ServiceLink locations across New Hampshire and say ADRCs help people with information, referral, options counseling, caregiver support, Medicare and Medicaid questions, and connections to long-term services. The network is available to people who need guidance even when they do not yet know whether they qualify for a specific benefit.
If you want a wider view of food, housing, utilities, health, and cash-assistance paths, use the GFS New Hampshire benefits guide.
What the ADRC Can Help With
Information, referral, and options counseling
What it helps with: You explain what is happening, and the ADRC helps identify realistic next steps. That can include aging services, disability supports, caregiver help, Medicaid long-term care, meals, transportation, housing resources, or Medicare counseling.
Who can ask: Current state contracting materials describe ADRCs as a statewide resource for older adults, adults with disabilities, families, and people who need help finding services. The person-centered counseling route is especially useful when a family is comparing care options.
Reality check: Counseling helps you choose a path. It does not guarantee a home-care worker, housing unit, benefit approval, or immediate opening.
Family caregiver support
What it helps with: New Hampshire’s Family Caregiver Support Program can provide information, counseling, training, support, and in some cases limited respite or supplemental services. Official program materials say respite funding is limited and is meant to give eligible unpaid caregivers a temporary break.
Where to start: Call 1-866-634-9412 and ask for caregiver support. The state’s caregiver program guide explains the program framework. Families asking whether a relative can be paid should also review the GFS family caregiver pay guide.
Reality check: Caregiver support is not a general paycheck for every family caregiver. Payment, respite, and service options depend on the program and the person’s situation.
Medicare counseling and fraud help
What it helps with: New Hampshire’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) offers Medicare counseling, and Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) helps with possible Medicare fraud, errors, and abuse. The national SHIP locator lists New Hampshire’s ServiceLink Resource Center number as 1-866-634-9412. The SMP locator lists the same service number.
What to bring: Medicare card, current plan information, medication list, doctors, preferred pharmacy, and any bill or notice you do not understand.
Reality check: A counselor can explain and compare choices, but you still choose the plan. If Medicare costs are the problem, the GFS Medicare Savings guide can help you prepare before applying.
Food and nutrition
What it helps with: Older adults may have more than one food path: community dining, home-delivered meals, food boxes, pantries, and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. New Hampshire DHHS describes older-adult nutrition services as part of the aging-services network.
Where to start: Ask the ADRC about meal providers. Use Meals on Wheels providers to locate the agency serving your area. For grocery benefits, the GFS New Hampshire SNAP guide can help you prepare your application questions.
Reality check: Meal delivery routes, assessments, meal-site schedules, and availability differ by provider and town.
Care at Home and Choices for Independence
Choices for Independence (CFI) is New Hampshire’s Medicaid home- and community-based waiver for people who would otherwise meet a nursing-facility level of care and who meet Medicaid eligibility rules. The current federal waiver record says it serves people age 65 or older and adults ages 18 to 64 with physical or other disabilities who meet the required level of care.
The state’s CFI information sheet explains that a person must be found both financially and clinically eligible. It also directs applicants to Medicaid, DHHS, or a local ADRC for help with the application and supporting documents.
Reality Check
CFI is not general housekeeping for anyone who wants help at home. It is a Medicaid long-term care pathway with financial rules, a clinical assessment, an approved care plan, and provider availability. If you are not eligible or services cannot start quickly, ask the ADRC what other home-care, caregiver, meal, transportation, or community supports may fit.
People with a disability may also need disability-specific programs or advocacy. The GFS New Hampshire disability guide covers additional starting points.
Senior Centers, Meals, and Transportation
A senior center is usually a local community resource, not a nursing facility. Depending on the town or provider, it may offer meals, exercise, social activities, classes, benefits referrals, wellness programs, or transportation information. The safest way to find a current center is to call the ADRC and give your town and ZIP code.
For home-delivered meals, use the statewide Meals on Wheels NH network or ask the ADRC for the local nutrition provider. For transportation, Keep NH Moving is the New Hampshire State Coordinating Council for Community Transportation’s resource directory. It includes public transit, volunteer-driver programs, paratransit, senior transportation, and other regional options.
Housing problems often need a separate pathway. The GFS New Hampshire housing guide explains rent, affordable housing, emergency shelter, and waiting-list issues.
| Situation | Ask for | Useful question |
|---|---|---|
| You cannot cook or shop safely | Home-delivered meals | “Who serves my town, and is an assessment required?” |
| You need social activities | Nearest senior center | “Are there age, resident, membership, or meal rules?” |
| You no longer drive | Local transportation | “Which rides cover medical visits, groceries, and senior centers?” |
| A caregiver needs relief | Caregiver support | “Is respite available, and what assessment or proof is required?” |
| A hospital discharge is coming | Options counseling | “What can be arranged before discharge, and what may take longer?” |
How to Start Without Wasting Time
- Lead with your town. Local providers and service areas matter.
- State the deadline. Mention a hospital discharge, shutoff notice, eviction date, empty refrigerator, or caregiver breakdown at the start of the call.
- Describe the real daily problem. Say what the person cannot safely do, such as bathing, dressing, walking, shopping, cooking, driving, or managing medicine.
- Ask for screening. Do not assume one program is the only answer.
- Write down the referral. Record the worker’s name, office, number, date, and next step.
- Ask what happens next. Find out whether you should expect a call, form, assessment, or written notice.
If you need to apply for state benefits, the GFS NH EASY guide explains the state portal and common application steps. The official NH EASY portal is used for several DHHS benefits.
Documents and Details to Gather
| Bring or know | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Name, date of birth, town, ZIP, phone | Helps staff identify the correct local service area. |
| Medicare, Medicaid, insurance cards | Useful for Medicare counseling and health-related referrals. |
| Income and asset records | Needed for many Medicaid and means-tested benefit applications. |
| Medication and doctor list | Useful for Medicare comparisons and long-term care discussions. |
| Notices and deadlines | Denials, closures, hearings, and missing-proof letters can be time-sensitive. |
| Daily tasks that are difficult | Helps explain the level of support needed at home. |
Reality Checks
ADRC guidance is not benefit approval. The ADRC can connect you with the right path, but Medicaid, SNAP, housing, and other programs apply their own rules.
Local capacity changes. Meal routes, transportation, senior-center schedules, respite, and home-care workers can vary by town and provider.
Long-term care can take several steps. Financial review, clinical assessment, care planning, and provider availability may all affect timing.
Do not wait for a crisis. If a caregiver is struggling or a hospital discharge is coming, start the referral before the situation becomes unsafe.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Calling only one program. If it does not fit, ask the ADRC for another category of help.
- Using old local schedules. Call before traveling to a senior center, meal site, or transportation pickup.
- Assuming Medicare covers ongoing daily care. Ask about Medicaid long-term care and other community supports when the need is ongoing.
- Ignoring letters. A benefits notice may ask for proof or give an appeal deadline.
- Waiting until discharge day. Start care planning while the person is still in the hospital or rehabilitation setting.
- Paying a private “benefits finder” too quickly. Start with the public ADRC, official agencies, and established nonprofits.
Denied, Delayed, or Overwhelmed
If a public benefit is denied, ask for the reason in writing and read the notice for appeal or fair-hearing instructions. If the problem is missing proof, ask exactly what document is needed and where to send it. If the problem is program eligibility, ask whether another service category fits.
For civil legal issues involving benefits, housing, debt, or other basic needs, 603 Legal Aid has information for older adults and an intake route for eligible New Hampshire residents.
If the problem is a full waitlist or lack of local providers, ask the ADRC for temporary alternatives. These may include meals, transportation, caregiver support, town welfare, community action, or another home-support program while the longer process continues.
Veteran households may also have separate support routes. The GFS New Hampshire veteran guide explains state and federal starting points for older veterans and surviving spouses.
Useful Official and High-Trust Resources
- ADRC contact information for local aging and disability help.
- Medicare.gov for federal Medicare coverage and plan information.
- Transportation provider search for regional ride options.
- Meals provider search for the agency serving your town.
- 603 Legal Aid for civil legal help and referrals.
Phone Scripts
Calling the ADRC
“Hello. I live in ____ and I am calling for myself / my relative. The main problem is ____. Can you tell me which aging, disability, caregiver, Medicare, Medicaid, meal, transportation, or local service should be our first step?”
Calling about care at home
“The person needs help with ____. Can you explain which home-care programs may fit, whether a Medicaid application is needed, and what assessment or documents come next?”
Calling about caregiver help
“I am an unpaid caregiver for ____. I need help with respite, training, or other support. What caregiver program serves our town, and what rules or assessment should I expect?”
Calling after a denial
“I received a denial or closure notice for ____. Please tell me the exact reason, the deadline to respond or appeal, what proof is missing, and whether another program may fit while I challenge the decision.”
Resumen en español
En New Hampshire, la puerta principal para ayuda de envejecimiento y discapacidad es la red Aging and Disability Resource Center, conocida comúnmente como ServiceLink y conectada con NHCarePath. Llame al 1-866-634-9412 para preguntar sobre Medicare, Medicaid, cuidado en el hogar, apoyo para cuidadores, comidas, transporte y recursos locales. Para una emergencia inmediata, llame al 911. Para comida, vivienda, calefacción u otra necesidad urgente local, llame al 2-1-1. Para reportar posible abuso, negligencia, auto-negligencia o explotación de un adulto vulnerable, New Hampshire indica 603-271-7014 o 1-800-949-0470. Tenga a mano su ciudad, código postal, avisos, tarjetas de seguro, lista de medicamentos y documentos financieros si va a solicitar beneficios.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Area Agency on Aging in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire uses Aging and Disability Resource Centers as the main local access network for aging and disability help. The ADRC program is commonly known as ServiceLink and is part of the broader NHCarePath system.
What number should an older adult call first?
Call 1-866-634-9412 for the Aging and Disability Resource Center when you need aging, disability, caregiver, Medicare, Medicaid long-term care, meal, transportation, or local-service guidance.
Can ServiceLink help with Medicare?
Yes. New Hampshire’s SHIP Medicare counseling is available through the ServiceLink Resource Center network. Call 1-866-634-9412 and ask for Medicare counseling.
Can the ADRC help with care at home?
Yes. The ADRC can explain home-care options and help with the application path for programs such as Choices for Independence. CFI requires Medicaid financial eligibility and clinical eligibility for nursing-facility level of care.
How do I find a senior center or meal program?
Call the ADRC with your town and ZIP code and ask for the nearest senior center, meal site, or home-delivered meal provider. Confirm current schedules, service areas, age rules, and any reservation requirements before visiting.
Where do I report adult abuse in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire Adult Protective Services lists 603-271-7014 and 1-800-949-0470 for reports of suspected abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or exploitation of a vulnerable adult. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.
About This Guide
This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.
Editorial note
This guide is produced based on our Editorial Standards using official and other high-trust sources, regularly updated and monitored, but not affiliated with any government agency and not a substitute for official agency guidance. Individual eligibility outcomes cannot be guaranteed.
Corrections
Please note that despite our careful verification process, errors may still occur. Email info@grantsforseniors.org with corrections and we will respond within 72 hours.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and is not legal, financial, medical, tax, disability-rights, immigration, or government-agency advice. Program rules, policies, funding, and availability can change. Readers should confirm current details directly with the responsible official program before acting.
Last updated: 27 September 2026 · Next review: 27 January 2027
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