New Hampshire SNAP benefits load onto an EBT card on the 5th of every month and can be spent on groceries at any store, farm stand, or farmers market that accepts SNAP. For federal fiscal year 2027, which runs October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027, the maximum monthly amount is $306 for one person, $808 for a household of three, $1,023 for a household of four, and $1,841 for a household of eight, with $225 added for each additional person. Most New Hampshire households receive less than the maximum, because the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) subtracts 30% of your net monthly income from that figure. This guide covers what the benefit actually buys, how DHHS runs the math, how the New Hampshire EBT card works, and the state programs that stretch the benefit further.
If you have not checked whether you qualify yet, start with our New Hampshire SNAP eligibility guide. This page is about what happens after you are approved.
What New Hampshire SNAP Benefits Cover
SNAP dollars in New Hampshire buy food meant to be prepared and eaten at home. That includes:
- Fruits and vegetables, fresh, frozen, canned, or dried
- Meat, poultry, and fish
- Dairy products, including milk, cheese, and yogurt
- Breads, cereals, rice, and pasta
- Snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages
- Baby formula and baby food
- Seeds and plants that produce food for the household to eat
Benefits work at supermarkets, convenience stores, country stores, co-ops, and many farmers markets across the state, from Berlin down to Nashua. New Hampshire EBT cards also work for online grocery orders at authorized retailers, though delivery fees and tips cannot be paid with SNAP.
Granite State Market Match Doubles Produce Dollars
New Hampshire runs a produce incentive called Granite State Market Match, coordinated through the New Hampshire Nutrition Incentive Network and led by the New Hampshire Food Bank. At participating farmers markets, a SNAP purchase is matched dollar for dollar with tokens or coupons you spend on additional fruits and vegetables. Spend $10 in SNAP at a participating market and you generally walk out with $20 in produce buying power. At participating farm stands and CSA farm shares, the structure is different: the discount is typically 50% off, so your SNAP dollars go roughly twice as far on the same food.
Participating sites span most counties, including the Farmers' Market of Keene, the Portsmouth Farmers' Market, and the Tilton Farmers Market, plus farm stands and mobile markets. Match caps and seasons vary by site, so ask at the market manager's table before you shop.
What You Cannot Buy With a New Hampshire EBT Card
Federal rules set the exclusion list, and New Hampshire follows it. SNAP benefits cannot pay for:
- Alcohol, beer, wine, or tobacco products, including vaping products
- Hot prepared foods meant to be eaten right away, such as a hot rotisserie chicken or a hot deli sandwich
- Vitamins, supplements, and medicines, including over-the-counter drugs
- Pet food
- Paper products, cleaning supplies, diapers, and hygiene items
- Restaurant meals
- Non-food items of any kind, including delivery fees on online orders
The hot food rule trips people up most often. A cold rotisserie chicken from the refrigerated case is SNAP eligible. The same chicken, hot, under the warming lamp, is not. A cold sandwich made in the deli is eligible. A hot one is not.
FY2027 Maximum Monthly SNAP Allotments
These are the federal maximums for the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia, in effect in New Hampshire from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
| Household Size | Maximum Monthly Allotment |
|---|
| 1 | $306 |
| 2 | $562 |
| 3 | $808 |
| 4 | $1,023 |
| 5 | $1,217 |
| 6 | $1,463 |
| 7 | $1,616 |
| 8 | $1,841 |
| Each additional person | add $225 |
The minimum monthly benefit is $25, and it applies only to eligible one and two person households. A household of three or more whose benefit calculates to nothing simply receives nothing.
How DHHS Calculates Your Monthly Amount
The formula is the same everywhere: your maximum allotment minus 30% of your net monthly income. Net income is what is left after DHHS subtracts the deductions you qualify for.
| Deduction | FY2027 Amount |
|---|
| Standard deduction, household of 1 to 3 | $217 |
| Standard deduction, household of 4 | $229 |
| Standard deduction, household of 5 | $268 |
| Standard deduction, household of 6 or more | $308 |
| Earned income deduction | 20% of wages and self-employment income |
| Dependent care | Actual cost of care needed for work, training, or school |
| Medical expenses, elderly or disabled members only | Actual costs above $35 a month |
| Excess shelter deduction cap | $769 for households without an elderly or disabled member |
| Excess shelter deduction cap, elderly or disabled households | No cap |
The excess shelter deduction is the part that matters most in New Hampshire, because heating costs here are high and the state's standard utility allowance reflects that. Rather than adding up your actual bills, DHHS applies a flat standard utility allowance when you pay heating or cooling separately from rent. Under DHHS State Release SR 26-26, effective October 1, 2026, the heating and cooling allowance is $1,054 a month, with smaller standards of roughly $386 for utilities without heat, $225 for electricity only, and $40 for telephone only. A household can only use one standard, and DHHS applies the highest one it qualifies for.
Two changes from the 2025 federal law are worth knowing. Internet and broadband costs no longer count toward the shelter or utility deduction, a change effective July 4, 2025. And SSI counts as income for SNAP purposes, while veterans' educational benefits do not.
Worked Example: A Family of Three in Manchester
A parent with two children earns $2,400 a month, pays $1,200 in rent, and pays for heat separately.
- Gross monthly income of $2,400 is under New Hampshire's gross limit for a household of three, so the household is categorically eligible and the net income test does not apply.
- Earned income deduction of 20% removes $480, leaving $1,920.
- Standard deduction for a household of three removes $217, leaving $1,703.
- Shelter costs are $1,200 in rent plus the $1,054 heating standard, or $2,254. Half of adjusted income is $851.50, so excess shelter is $1,402.50, capped at $769.
- Net income is $1,703 minus $769, or $934.
- 30% of $934 is $281, rounded up to the whole dollar as federal rules require.
- Benefit is $808 minus $281, or roughly $527 a month.
Worked Example: A Senior Living Alone in Laconia
A 71 year old receives $1,500 a month in Social Security, pays $900 in rent, pays for heat separately, and has $150 a month in out of pocket medical costs.
- Gross income of $1,500 is under the limit for a household of one.
- There is no earned income deduction, because Social Security is unearned. The standard deduction removes $217, leaving $1,283.
- Medical costs above $35 are deductible for an elderly household, so $115 comes off, leaving $1,168.
- Shelter costs are $900 plus the $1,054 heating standard, or $1,954. Half of adjusted income is $584, so excess shelter is $1,370. Households with an elderly or disabled member face no shelter cap, so the full amount applies.
- Net income calculates to zero.
- Benefit is the full $306 a month.
That uncapped shelter deduction is why New Hampshire seniors with high rent and high heating bills often receive the maximum allotment even on an income that looks too high at first glance. Both figures above are estimates. DHHS makes the determination based on verified documents.
How the New Hampshire EBT Card Works
New Hampshire issues all SNAP benefits on the 5th of every month, the same day for every household, with no staggered schedule based on case number or Social Security number. Our New Hampshire EBT deposit schedule guide covers what happens when the 5th falls on a weekend.
Checking your balance. Call EBT customer service at 1-888-997-9777, available 24 hours a day. You can also log in at ebtedge.com or use the ebtEDGE mobile app, check your case in NH EASY, or read the balance printed at the bottom of your last store receipt.
Lost or stolen card. Call 1-888-997-9777 immediately to deactivate the card and request a replacement, which generally arrives by mail in about 7 to 10 business days. Same day replacement is sometimes available at a DHHS district office. Benefits already spent from a card someone else used are not automatically restored, so the call matters more than the paperwork.
Protecting your benefits. DHHS has warned New Hampshire participants about text and phone scams asking for card numbers and PINs. DHHS does not ask for your full card number or PIN by text. Change your PIN before each monthly deposit if you have had trouble, and check your balance soon after the 5th.
Unused benefits. Benefits roll over month to month, so an unspent balance stays on the card. However, SNAP accounts that go unused for an extended period can be closed and the remaining balance expunged, so do not treat the card as a savings account.
Using SNAP for Online Grocery Orders
New Hampshire EBT cards work for online SNAP purchases at Amazon, Walmart, Target, Costco, BJ's Wholesale Club, ALDI, Whole Foods, Hannaford, Shaw's, Price Chopper, Price Rite, and McKinnon's, among others. Delivery coverage varies by address, which matters in the North Country. SNAP pays only for eligible food, so delivery fees, service fees, and tips need a second payment method on file.
Summer EBT for Children
New Hampshire participates in Summer EBT, also called S-EBT, which gives families extra grocery money while school meals are out of session. The benefit is a one time issuance of $120 per eligible child. Children qualify if they attend a school in the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program and are income eligible for free or reduced price meals. Households already receiving SNAP, TANF, or income eligible Medicaid generally get it automatically. In 2026 DHHS made benefits available by July 17.
Rules That Can End or Reduce Your Benefits
The work rule. Since July 4, 2025, adults 18 to 64 with no child under 14 in the household can usually receive SNAP for only 3 months in a 3 year period unless they work or train at least 20 hours a week, receive unemployment benefits, or meet another exemption. Pregnant women remain exempt. Veterans, people experiencing homelessness, and former foster youth are no longer exempt under the current law. As of October 1, 2026 there are no statewide waivers of this rule, and New Hampshire has no area waivers. DHHS can connect you with SNAP Employment and Training, and participating hours generally count.
Immigration status. Since July 4, 2025, SNAP is limited to U.S. citizens and nationals, green card holders, Cuban and Haitian entrants, and citizens of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and Palau. Refugees, asylees, and parolees without a green card no longer qualify. Many green card holders must wait 5 years first, with exceptions including children under 18, 40 quarters of work history, blindness or disability, and a military connection. In a mixed status family, the members who qualify can still receive SNAP for themselves.
Reporting and renewals. New Hampshire SNAP households must report certain changes, including a household member moving in or out and income going above the limit. Most households also file an interim report partway through the certification period and a recertification at the end of it. A missed interim report is the most common reason a benefit that was working fine suddenly stops. DHHS mails notices before the deadline, and you can submit both through NH EASY.
Getting Help in New Hampshire
- NH EASY: nheasy.nh.gov to apply, check your case, upload documents, and file reports
- DHHS Customer Service Center: 1-844-275-3447, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET
- DHHS main line: 1-800-852-3345
- EBT customer service: 1-888-997-9777, 24 hours a day
- NH Food Bank: partner pantries statewide, plus Granite State Market Match information
- 2-1-1 New Hampshire: dial 211 for local food pantries and meal sites
For the other programs that commonly pair with SNAP in New Hampshire, including Medicaid, the Fuel Assistance Program, and WIC, see our New Hampshire benefits page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum SNAP benefit in New Hampshire for 2026?
For federal fiscal year 2027, which covers October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027, the maximum is $306 a month for one person, $562 for two, $808 for three, $1,023 for four, and $1,841 for eight. Most households receive less, because 30% of net income is subtracted from the maximum.
What day does New Hampshire SNAP deposit each month?
The 5th of every month, for every household. New Hampshire does not stagger deposits by case number, last name, or Social Security number.
Can I buy hot food with my New Hampshire EBT card?
No. Hot prepared foods meant to be eaten immediately are excluded everywhere in the country. The same item sold cold is usually eligible, so a cold rotisserie chicken from the refrigerated case qualifies while the hot one under the lamp does not.
Does New Hampshire double SNAP dollars at farmers markets?
Yes, through Granite State Market Match. At participating farmers markets, your SNAP spending is matched dollar for dollar for fruits and vegetables. At participating farm stands and CSA farm shares, the benefit is generally a 50% discount instead. Caps and seasons vary by site.
Can I use New Hampshire SNAP for grocery delivery?
Yes. Amazon, Walmart, Target, Costco, BJ's, ALDI, Whole Foods, Hannaford, Shaw's, Price Chopper, Price Rite, and McKinnon's accept EBT for online SNAP orders where delivery is available. Fees and tips must be paid with another method.
Do unused New Hampshire SNAP benefits expire?
Unspent benefits roll over to the next month and stay on your card. Accounts that sit unused for an extended period can be closed and the balance removed, so use the card at least occasionally.
Does New Hampshire have an asset test for SNAP?
New Hampshire uses broad-based categorical eligibility, which removes the asset test for most households. The federal countable resource limits, which still apply in the narrow cases where categorical eligibility does not, are $3,000, or $4,750 for a household with an elderly or disabled member.
How much is the heating deduction worth in New Hampshire?
Under DHHS State Release SR 26-26, effective October 1, 2026, the heating and cooling standard utility allowance is $1,054 a month for households billed separately for heat or air conditioning. That amount is added to your rent or mortgage before the shelter deduction is figured, which is why many New Hampshire households hit the $769 shelter cap, and why elderly and disabled households, which have no cap, often receive the full allotment.
What if my benefit amount seems wrong?
Read the Notice of Decision DHHS mailed you. It lists the income and expense figures used in the calculation. If a shelter cost, a medical expense, or a dependent care cost is missing, submit documentation through NH EASY or call 1-844-275-3447. You have 30 days from the notice date to request a fair hearing if you disagree with the determination.
