Written & Reviewed by
Last updated: May 7, 2026
Bottom line: Disabled seniors in New Hampshire should usually start with ADRC/ServiceLink, NH EASY, or 211. Call ADRC/ServiceLink for home care, Medicare, Medicaid, caregiver help, and local support. Use NH EASY for state applications. Call 211 for urgent food, heat, shelter, or rides. For abuse, unsafe care, or denied accommodations, ask for legal help early.
Contents
Urgent help first
Call 911 if someone is in danger, cannot breathe, may have a stroke, or is being harmed now. Call or text 988 for a mental health crisis.
| Need | Best first step | What to say |
|---|---|---|
| Abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or exploitation | Adult Protective Services: 603-271-7014 or 1-800-949-0470 | “I want to report possible harm to a vulnerable adult.” |
| Food, heat, shelter, or urgent local help | Call 211 or use 211 NH | “I am helping a disabled senior and need the closest open help today.” |
| Unsafe care in a nursing home or assisted living | Long-Term Care Ombudsman: 1-800-442-5640 | “A resident may not be safe or may not be getting needed care.” |
New Hampshire’s Adult Abuse page says proof is not required to report a concern.
How to start without wasting time
Use the first call that matches the problem. Do not wait for every paper.
| Problem | Start here | Ask for this | Watch for this |
|---|---|---|---|
| Need help bathing, dressing, meals, or staying home | ADRC/ServiceLink at 1-866-634-9412 | Options counseling and CFI screening | Assessments and worker supply can slow care. |
| Need Medicaid, SNAP, cash aid, or Medicare cost help | NH EASY portal | Application, renewal, and upload help | Keep proof of every upload. |
| Not sure which program fits | ADRC page | Benefits check and local referrals | The toll-free number may route by location. |
| Need legal disability advocacy | Disability Rights Center | Rights advice or referral | Not every case can be accepted. |
Home care and Medicaid help
Choices for Independence for care at home
Choices for Independence, often called CFI, is New Hampshire’s main Medicaid home and community care program for adults who meet financial and care-need rules. The official CFI waiver factsheet lists personal care, homemaker help, adult day services, respite, home access changes, equipment, transportation, and supportive housing.
Where to start: Call ADRC/ServiceLink at 1-866-634-9412. Say the person needs daily care and may need Medicaid long-term services. If the person is in a hospital or rehab center, ask the discharge planner to help.
Reality check: CFI is not same-day home care. The person may need a Medicaid review, care review, service plan, and available workers.
Medicaid disability and older adult paths
New Hampshire DHHS decides Medicaid financial and non-financial eligibility. The state Medicaid eligibility page covers seniors, people with disabilities, blindness, and long-term care. Do not guess that income is too high. Ask for a screening.
Some disabled adults who work may need MEAD and MOAD, which helps working adults with disabilities keep Medicaid. MOAD is the age 65 or older path. Aid to Needy Blind is for legally blind people of any age. APTD cash aid is for disabled adults ages 18 through 64.
Where to apply: Use NH EASY, a DHHS District Office, or DHHS Customer Service at 1-844-275-3447. Relay access is 1-800-735-2964.
Medicare cost help
Medicare Savings Programs may lower premiums or other costs for people with Medicare. Our NH MSP guide can help you prepare questions, but the application goes through DHHS.
Accessible housing and home safety
Ask for disability accommodations in writing
A reasonable accommodation is a disability-related rule or service change. The state disability housing page gives examples such as a live-in aide, accessible parking, interpreter services, or a rent due date tied to benefit timing.
What to do: Write a short request. Name the disability-related need. Ask for a written answer. Keep a copy.
Reality check: A landlord may ask for medical support if the need is not clear, but not a full medical history.
Vouchers, waitlists, and disability requests
New Hampshire Housing runs the statewide voucher program. The voucher application page says most applicants may wait 7 to 9 years, and says it responds to reasonable accommodation requests within 30 days. Call 1-800-439-7247 if online applying is hard. Relay NH is 711.
Apply anyway if the list is open, but do not rely on one list. Check local housing authorities, project-based housing, and the NH housing guide for more housing steps.
Home changes, heat, and safe living
If stairs, a bathroom, or a doorway is unsafe, ask if CFI can review home access services or equipment. Also ask ATinNH about equipment. For heat help, the state Fuel Assistance page explains that local Community Action Agencies handle Fuel Assistance intake.
Homeowners should ask the town assessor about blind, disabled, elderly, and veteran exemptions. The state DRA exemptions page lists municipal reports, but the town controls applications.
Rides, equipment, and daily access
Rides to medical care
If the person has Medicaid, ask about medical rides. The state Medicaid rides page says emergency medical transportation is covered without prior approval in an emergency. For routine appointments, contact the Medicaid plan, broker, or DHHS before the visit date.
For non-Medicaid rides, use Keep NH Moving. It lists buses, volunteer drivers, shuttles, paratransit, and local ride options.
Parking placards and local transit
The New Hampshire DMV has walking disability placards for temporary and permanent walking disabilities. Temporary placards can last up to six months. Permanent placards can last up to five years, but expire with the license or non-driver ID date.
Assistive technology and equipment
ATinNH program is New Hampshire’s assistive technology program through the University of New Hampshire Institute on Disability. It offers device loans, demonstrations, training, and reuse. Call 603-862-3399.
For local equipment closets, the NH equipment guide may help you make a nearby call list.
Legal and protection help
Disability rights help
Disability Rights Center-NH is the state protection and advocacy agency. It provides free legal advice and help with disability-related issues, with help free for most people. Call 603-228-0432 or 1-800-834-1721.
Civil legal aid
For eviction, benefits, debt, domestic violence, or other civil legal problems, start with 603 Legal Aid. Its intake phone is 603-224-3333. NH Legal Assistance handles many housing, benefits, disability, and elder law cases.
Call early if you receive a denial, eviction notice, termination notice, or letter cutting care hours. Deadlines can be short.
Facility complaints and unsafe care
The Long-Term Care Ombudsman helps residents of long-term care facilities with complaints and rights concerns. Call 1-800-442-5640 or 603-271-4375. Call 911 first for danger.
Local disability resources in New Hampshire
- Developmental disability or brain injury: The state Area Agencies list covers local agencies for developmental disabilities and acquired brain disorders.
- Blind or low vision help: New Hampshire’s blind services page explains state vision support through Vocational Rehabilitation.
- Family caregivers: Ask ServiceLink about caregiver support and respite. The NH caregiver guide explains payment paths and limits.
- Urgent local aid: For food, heat, shelter, and town-level help, use the NH emergency guide after calling 211.
Documents to gather
Do not wait to call until the folder is perfect. But these papers can speed up help.
| Bring or upload | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Photo ID and Social Security number | Most benefit offices must verify identity. |
| Proof of New Hampshire address | State and local programs need residency proof. |
| Income and benefit letters | Medicaid, SNAP, housing, and utility help check income. |
| Bank and asset information | Some disability and long-term care programs count resources. |
| Denial or cut-off notices | Legal aid and agencies need the dates and reasons. |
Phone scripts you can use
| Call | Script |
|---|---|
| ADRC/ServiceLink | “I am helping a disabled senior in New Hampshire. Can you screen us for CFI, Medicaid, caregiver support, Medicare help, rides, and local services?” |
| DHHS | “Please tell me what benefits this person may apply for, what documents are missing, and the deadline to send them.” |
| Housing office | “I need to request a reasonable accommodation for a disability. How do I send the request, and when should I expect a written answer?” |
| Legal aid or DRC-NH | “I have a denial, cut in services, housing problem, or disability access issue. The deadline on the notice is ____.” |
If help is denied, delayed, or overwhelming
Read every notice. Look for the reason, the date, and the appeal deadline. Then call the agency and ask what document, rule, or income number caused the problem.
Ask for backup options. If CFI is delayed, ask about home health, respite, meal delivery, equipment loans, and rides. If housing is delayed, ask about accommodations, local welfare, 211, and legal aid.
Use short facts when you call: “She fell twice this month,” “He cannot bathe without help,” “The ramp is unsafe,” or “The notice says services stop on June 15.”
Common mistakes to avoid
- Ignoring mail: Medicaid, SNAP, housing, and legal notices can have short deadlines.
- Not asking for accommodations: A disability-related rule change must usually be requested.
- Assuming denial means no: A missing paper can look like ineligibility.
- Paying for secret grant lists: Real public programs do not require a paid list.
Resumen en espanol
Las personas mayores con discapacidad en New Hampshire deben empezar con ADRC/ServiceLink, NH EASY y 211. Llame al 911 si hay peligro. Llame o mande texto al 988 si hay una crisis emocional. Para comida, calefaccion, vivienda o ayuda local urgente, llame al 211.
ServiceLink puede ayudar con cuidado en casa, Medicaid, Medicare, apoyo para cuidadores, transporte y servicios locales. NH EASY sirve para solicitar Medicaid, SNAP y otros beneficios estatales. Si recibe una negacion, pida ayuda pronto.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best first call for a disabled senior in New Hampshire?
Call ADRC/ServiceLink at 1-866-634-9412. Ask for CFI screening, Medicaid, Medicare, caregiver support, rides, and local services.
Can New Hampshire help a disabled senior stay at home?
Possibly. Choices for Independence may help if the person meets Medicaid financial and care-need rules. Start with ADRC/ServiceLink.
Where do I apply for Medicaid disability help?
Use NH EASY, call DHHS at 1-844-275-3447, or ask ServiceLink for help. Keep copies of uploads, forms, and notices.
Who helps with disability housing accommodations?
Make a written request to the landlord or housing office. For denial or discrimination concerns, contact legal aid, DRC-NH, or the Human Rights Commission.
Where can I find equipment or assistive technology?
Contact ATinNH at 603-862-3399 for device loans, demonstrations, training, and reuse. Also ask CFI, Medicare, Medicaid, or equipment closets.
Who should I call about abuse or exploitation?
Call 911 if there is immediate danger. For suspected abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or exploitation, call Adult Protective Services at 603-271-7014 or 1-800-949-0470.
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.
Verification: Last verified May 7, 2026, next review August 7, 2026.
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, and availability can change. Readers should confirm current details directly with the official program before acting.
Last updated: May 7, 2026
Next review: August 7, 2026
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