Important: We updated this article in September 2024 to make sure all info below is both current and correct. New Hampshire may be one of the smallest states, but it has a big impact. In a recent US News & World Report ranking of the best states to live in, it was #2. It also came in second for air quality statistics, averaging only 14 “unhealthy air” days each year. The national average is 104 days. And the “Granite State” plays a major role in presidential elections, hosting one of the first political primaries every four years. This “little state that could” also has two ways for residents to get New Hampshire disability benefits. But what are they and how can you qualify? Read on.
Two Federal Programs Offer New Hampshire Disability Benefits
About one in eight people in New Hampshire have a disability. Interestingly, that is the same as the national average of 12.6%. For eligible individuals, there are two federal assistance programs to which they can apply through the Social Security Administration (SSA). They include Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
While the Social Security Administration administers both programs, New Hampshire’s Bureau of Disability Determination Services (DDS) determines medical eligibility for residents. The DDS is also responsible for making payments. But how do you know if you qualify, and how much assistance can you get?
Learn about all types of disability benefits that may be available to you.
Eligibility Requirements for New Hampshire Residents Seeking Disability Benefits
As we said before, there are two programs from the federal government that offer New Hampshire disability benefits. Learn the eligibility rules and other key info about the disability application process below.
Program #1: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) supports people with disabilities who have a qualifying work history. When applying for SSDI, the SSA will look to see if you have enough work credits from prior employment. Learn how your work history impacts SSDI eligibility.
Typically, eligible applicants need to work about one-fourth of their adult lives and five in the last 10 years. Social Security disability is specifically for adults aged 18-66 with long-term health issues that force them to stop working.
To meet the base requirements to qualify for SSDI benefits, you must:
- Have worked recently and enough in jobs where you paid Social Security payroll taxes. If you’re at least 30 years old, you’ll need 40 Social Security work credits.
- Meet the SSA’s definition of disability. This means you a severe medical condition that renders you incapable of working for at least 12 months.
- Not currently getting any other Social Security benefits when you apply, including early or regular retirement.
- Have monthly income that falls below $2,590 if you are blind, or $1,550 for other disabilities. The Social Security Administration only looks at your individual earnings, not that of everyone who lives in your home. So, your spouse or roommate’s work income won’t count towards that total.
Program #2: Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is the other disability program available to New Hampshire residents. It provides monthly cash benefits to eligible children and adults, but there is no work history requirement. Most successful SSI claimants in New Hampshire are blind/disabled/aged and have very low income and limited resources. In 2024, that means you must have no more than $2,000 in total assets you can sell in exchange for cash. For couples, that amount increases to $3,000. However, you must also stay below the current maximum income limit of $1,550 if you’re sighted, or $2,590 for blind claimants.
You can apply for both SSDI and SSI at the same time in New Hampshire. Disability Determination Services will automatically screen you for both programs with one application. While it is possible to qualify for both programs, it’s more typical to receive one or the other.
How Much Are New Hampshire Disability Benefits?
The maximum SSDI monthly payment a person can get for New Hampshire disability in 2024 is $3,822. On average, however, qualifying disabled workers get around $1,537 each month. Ultimately, your monthly payment amount received reflects how you earned while working.
Applicants who qualify for SSI can receive a maximum benefit of $943 per month, which is the federal benefit rate (FBR). A qualifying couple can receive up to $1415 monthly. Just FYI, this is also the maximum amount of countable income a person can make and still receive any benefits.
Countable income includes work from employment but also things like alimony, workers’ comp, and veterans’ benefits. The formula to determine countable income is actually a tad complicated. That is one of many reasons hiring a lawyer when applying for New Hampshire disability benefits is a good idea.
There are also state supplemental payment (SSP) options potentially available for New Hampshire disability SSI recipients. Living status and other variables determine eligibility and SSP requests require extra paperwork. New Hampshire SSP checks are funded by the state, not federal tax dollars.
Another thing to keep in mind, even if you qualify for New Hampshire SSI benefits, you won’t automatically get Medicaid. This is different than most other states. Chances are high you will be able to get medical benefits, but it also requires an additional application.
How Long Does It Take to Receive Disability in New Hampshire?
Federal law requires a five-month waiting period before anyone can get SSDI payments after their claim’s approved. If you wait that long to apply after you stop working, you can skip this waiting period. However, keep in mind that it usually takes 3-5 months just to process claims.
Currently in New Hampshire there is only one Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR) hearing SSDI and SSI cases. It’s located in Manchester, NH, and the average wait time for a hearing with an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) is 11 months. The average processing time for New Hampshire disability cases is 372 days.
People with severe disabilities — like certain brain disorders or cancers — that fall under the SSA’s Compassionate Allowances (CAL) list may receive a faster review. But there is no special application process or form for CAL applicants.
The good news is that 51% of applicants for New Hampshire disability are eventually awarded benefits. This is higher than the 31% national average. However, oftentimes it doesn’t happen on your very first try (unless you have a disability lawyer).
And appeals take even more time. Upon your first denial, you must request a reconsideration, which can take another 100 days or more to process. After that, there may also be another hearing. The longer you wait and the more appeals you file, the more time you go without the money you deserve.
A better idea? Hiring a New Hampshire disability lawyer to help with your case. All disability attorneys in our network work on contingency. So until you’re approved for benefits, you pay $0. And if you are successful, then you only owe one small fee. Plus, having a lawyer file your claim greatly increases your chances of payment within 6 months.
What About Health Insurance?
If Disability Determination Services awards you SSI benefits, you also get access to Medicaid coverage. That health care coverage starts during the same month that you receive disability benefits. However, you’ll need to apply for it.
New Hampshire residents awarded SSDI can get access to Medicare coverage 24 months after you’re approved for payments.
How Do I Apply For New Hampshire Disability?
Applicants can apply for New Hampshire disability benefits in one of four ways:
- Online at SSA.gov.
- By phone through the SSA’s toll free service line. To apply call 800-772-1213 (TTY 800-325-0778) anytime between 7am to 7pm, Monday through Friday.
- In person at one of the local Social Security field offices in NH. However, you should call first and schedule an appointment to skip the usual long office wait.
- Through an experienced Social Security attorney, which costs you nothing up front.
As mentioned earlier, the Bureau of Disability Determination Services will also play a part in all New Hampshire disability claims. Their contact info is:
Social Security Disability Determination Services (DDS)
21 South Fruit Street, Suite 30
Concord, NH 03301
(603) 271-3341
(800) 266-8096
Do I Need a Lawyer to File My New Hampshire Disability Claim?
The technical answer to this question is no, you don’t need a lawyer to apply for New Hampshire disability benefits. However, if you’d like to receive benefits, you should consider it.
Statistics show that people with lawyers are 3x more likely to have a positive outcome. The disability application process is often long and confusing. Plus, attorneys know what medical information Social Security needs to see in order to award you payments. Can’t afford complete copies of your medical records to submit with your application? An attorney can front those costs without costing you anything up front. And ultimately, the fee you pay for a successful case is smaller than you might think.
Consider signing up for a free consultation today. Because the last thing you want is to lose out on money you deserve because of a technicality.
Ready to get started? Click the button below to connect with a local advocate and learn whether or not you may qualify for benefits:
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Kimberly Dawn Neumann is a multi-published NYC-based magazine and book writer whose work has appeared in a wide variety of publications ranging from Forbes to Cosmopolitan. She graduated summa cum laude from the University of Maryland, College of Journalism. For more, visit: www.KDNeumann.com or Instagram @dancerscribe.
