New Hampshire Medicaid pays for long-term care two ways: in a nursing home, or at home through the Choices for Independence waiver. The financial rules are the same for both, and the real decision for most families is the setting, not the money. This guide covers the 2026 income and asset limits, how the home-care waiver works, and what to do if your income is a little too high.
In This Guide
- How the Financial Limits Work
- Nursing-Facility Medicaid
- Choices for Independence: Care at Home
- If Your Income Is Too High
- Choosing Between a Nursing Home and Home
- Where to Start
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Learn More
How the Financial Limits Work
Long-term-care Medicaid in New Hampshire applies the same financial test whether the care is in a nursing home or at home.
Income. For 2026, the monthly income cap is $2,982 for a single applicant. New Hampshire calls this the Nursing Facility CAP, and it equals the federal special income level of 300% of the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefit rate.New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. (2026). New Hampshire DHHS (dhhs.nh.gov) - State Release SR 26-01, January 2026 Mass Change 2.8% COLA, effective January 1, 2026. dhhs.nh.gov. Retrieved Jul 13, 2026, from https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/sr_htm/html/sr_26-01_dated_01_26.htm It is used to determine eligibility for nursing-facility care and for home and community-based services alike.New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. (2026). New Hampshire DHHS (dhhs.nh.gov) - State Release SR 26-01, January 2026 Mass Change 2.8% COLA, effective January 1, 2026. dhhs.nh.gov. Retrieved Jul 13, 2026, from https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/sr_htm/html/sr_26-01_dated_01_26.htm
Assets. The countable-resource limit for most programs is $2,500 for one individual and $4,000 for two, rising by $100 for each additional family member.New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). New Hampshire DHHS (dhhs.nh.gov) - Medicaid for Long Term Care (consumer booklet). dhhs.nh.gov. Retrieved Jul 13, 2026, from https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt476/files/documents2/longterm-care-booklet.pdf Not everything counts: the home you live in, your household furniture, and some vehicles are excluded.New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). New Hampshire DHHS (dhhs.nh.gov) - Medicaid for Long Term Care (consumer booklet). dhhs.nh.gov. Retrieved Jul 13, 2026, from https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt476/files/documents2/longterm-care-booklet.pdf
When one spouse needs long-term care and the other stays home, federal spousal-impoverishment rules protect a share of the couple's income and assets for the community spouse, so the at-home spouse is not left with nothing.
Nursing-Facility Medicaid
If you meet the financial limits above and need nursing-home-level care, New Hampshire Medicaid covers care in a licensed nursing facility. There is also a medical side to eligibility: the state assesses whether you need the level of care provided in nursing facilities before Medicaid will pay for a nursing home or the home-care waiver.New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). New Hampshire DHHS (dhhs.nh.gov) - Home and Community Based Services (Choices for Independence Waiver Program). dhhs.nh.gov. Retrieved Jul 13, 2026, from https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/programs-services/adult-aging-care/home-and-community-based-care Unlike the home-care waiver, nursing-facility Medicaid is not capped by a limited number of slots, so qualifying applicants are not put on a waitlist for the benefit itself.New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). New Hampshire DHHS (dhhs.nh.gov) - Home and Community Based Services (Choices for Independence Waiver Program). dhhs.nh.gov. Retrieved Jul 13, 2026, from https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/programs-services/adult-aging-care/home-and-community-based-care
Choices for Independence: Care at Home
Many people who qualify for a nursing home would rather stay in their own home or community. That is what the Choices for Independence (CFI) waiver is for. CFI serves seniors and adults with chronic illnesses who are financially eligible for Medicaid and who medically qualify for the level of care provided in nursing facilities, and it pays for care at home instead.New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). New Hampshire DHHS (dhhs.nh.gov) - Home and Community Based Services (Choices for Independence Waiver Program). dhhs.nh.gov. Retrieved Jul 13, 2026, from https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/programs-services/adult-aging-care/home-and-community-based-care
Two things to keep in mind. First, the money rules are the same as for a nursing home, the $2,982 income cap and the $2,500 resource limit.New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. (2026). New Hampshire DHHS (dhhs.nh.gov) - State Release SR 26-01, January 2026 Mass Change 2.8% COLA, effective January 1, 2026. dhhs.nh.gov. Retrieved Jul 13, 2026, from https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/sr_htm/html/sr_26-01_dated_01_26.htm Second, because CFI is a federal waiver rather than an entitlement, it has a limited number of enrollment slots, and when they are full a waitlist can form.New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). New Hampshire DHHS (dhhs.nh.gov) - Home and Community Based Services (Choices for Independence Waiver Program). dhhs.nh.gov. Retrieved Jul 13, 2026, from https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/programs-services/adult-aging-care/home-and-community-based-care Ask the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) about current availability when you apply.
If Your Income Is Too High
If your income is above the $2,982 cap, you may still have a path. New Hampshire's medically-needy option, which the state calls "In and Out" Medical Assistance, lets people whose income is too high for regular Medicaid qualify by spending the excess down toward their medical bills.New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). New Hampshire DHHS (dhhs.nh.gov) - NH Medicaid (Medical Assistance) Eligibility (In and Out Medical Assistance). dhhs.nh.gov. Retrieved Jul 13, 2026, from https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/programs-services/medicaid/nh-medicaid-medical-assistance-eligibility The specific dollar standard changes, so ask DHHS what the current figure is for your household and how the spend-down works.
Choosing Between a Nursing Home and Home
Because the financial rules ($2,982 income and $2,500 resources) and the nursing-facility level-of-care requirement are the same either way, the choice comes down to what a person needs and prefers.New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. (2026). New Hampshire DHHS (dhhs.nh.gov) - State Release SR 26-01, January 2026 Mass Change 2.8% COLA, effective January 1, 2026. dhhs.nh.gov. Retrieved Jul 13, 2026, from https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/sr_htm/html/sr_26-01_dated_01_26.htm,New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). New Hampshire DHHS (dhhs.nh.gov) - Home and Community Based Services (Choices for Independence Waiver Program). dhhs.nh.gov. Retrieved Jul 13, 2026, from https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/programs-services/adult-aging-care/home-and-community-based-care If you can be safely supported at home with services, the Choices for Independence waiver keeps you in the community. If home care isn't enough, nursing-facility Medicaid covers a licensed facility. Either way, the first steps are the same: confirm the financial eligibility above and complete the medical level-of-care assessment.
Where to Start
Apply for long-term-care Medicaid through New Hampshire DHHS, online at NH EASY (nheasy.nh.gov), by paper Form 800 at a local District Office, or by phone at 1-844-ASK-DHHS (1-844-275-3447).New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). New Hampshire DHHS (dhhs.nh.gov) - NH Medicaid Eligibility (how to apply: NH EASY + DHHS Customer Service Center). dhhs.nh.gov. Retrieved Jul 13, 2026, from https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/programs-services/medicaid/nh-medicaid-medical-assistance-eligibility The long-term-care application is a two-step process, financial and medical, so expect both an income-and-resource review and a level-of-care assessment.New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). New Hampshire DHHS (dhhs.nh.gov) - NH Medicaid Eligibility (how to apply: NH EASY + DHHS Customer Service Center). dhhs.nh.gov. Retrieved Jul 13, 2026, from https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/programs-services/medicaid/nh-medicaid-medical-assistance-eligibility
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the income and asset limits for NH nursing-home Medicaid?
For 2026, the monthly income cap is $2,982 for a single applicant,New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. (2026). New Hampshire DHHS (dhhs.nh.gov) - State Release SR 26-01, January 2026 Mass Change 2.8% COLA, effective January 1, 2026. dhhs.nh.gov. Retrieved Jul 13, 2026, from https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/sr_htm/html/sr_26-01_dated_01_26.htm and the countable-resource limit is $2,500 for one individual (or $4,000 for two).New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). New Hampshire DHHS (dhhs.nh.gov) - Medicaid for Long Term Care (consumer booklet). dhhs.nh.gov. Retrieved Jul 13, 2026, from https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt476/files/documents2/longterm-care-booklet.pdf Your home, furniture, and some vehicles don't count.
Does New Hampshire Medicaid pay for home care instead of a nursing home?
Yes, through the Choices for Independence waiver, for people who are financially eligible and medically qualify for nursing-facility level of care.New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). New Hampshire DHHS (dhhs.nh.gov) - Home and Community Based Services (Choices for Independence Waiver Program). dhhs.nh.gov. Retrieved Jul 13, 2026, from https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/programs-services/adult-aging-care/home-and-community-based-care It has limited enrollment slots, so ask DHHS about availability.
What is Choices for Independence?
It's New Hampshire's Medicaid home- and community-based services waiver. It pays for the same level of care a nursing home provides, but at home or in the community, for people who qualify financially and clinically.New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). New Hampshire DHHS (dhhs.nh.gov) - Home and Community Based Services (Choices for Independence Waiver Program). dhhs.nh.gov. Retrieved Jul 13, 2026, from https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/programs-services/adult-aging-care/home-and-community-based-care
What if my income is too high for long-term-care Medicaid?
New Hampshire's medically-needy "In and Out" option may let you qualify by spending your excess income down toward medical bills.New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). New Hampshire DHHS (dhhs.nh.gov) - NH Medicaid (Medical Assistance) Eligibility (In and Out Medical Assistance). dhhs.nh.gov. Retrieved Jul 13, 2026, from https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/programs-services/medicaid/nh-medicaid-medical-assistance-eligibility Ask DHHS for the current income standard and how it applies to you.
How do I apply for long-term-care Medicaid in NH?
Apply through NH DHHS: online at NH EASY, by paper Form 800 at a District Office, or by phone at 1-844-ASK-DHHS (1-844-275-3447).New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). New Hampshire DHHS (dhhs.nh.gov) - NH Medicaid Eligibility (how to apply: NH EASY + DHHS Customer Service Center). dhhs.nh.gov. Retrieved Jul 13, 2026, from https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/programs-services/medicaid/nh-medicaid-medical-assistance-eligibility Expect a two-step financial and medical review.
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