New Hampshire SSDI and SSI Benefits

If you live in New Hampshire and you're disabled according to Social Security's definition, you may be eligible for either Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Even though SSDI and SSI are federal programs, individual states are responsible for helping Social Security administer some portions of the programs. Many states—including New Hampshire—add to the federal SSI payment with a small state supplement.

How to Apply for Social Security Disability in New Hampshire

Your options for applying for disability depend on whether you're eligible for SSI or SSDI. SSI is needs-based, and available to disabled people who have income and assets below a certain threshold ($2,000 for an individual, $3,000 for a couple). SSDI is based on your employment history and how much you've paid to Social Security in FICA taxes over the years.

Apply for SSDI Disability Benefits Online

If you're eligible for SSDI, you have the option of applying using Social Security's web portal. When you start your application, you will be assigned an application number. Keep it, since you need this number to return to your application or to track the status of your application.

Apply for SSDI or SSI In Person

You can apply in person at your local field office for either SSI or SSDI. This is a good option if you need help filling out or understanding the paperwork. However, you should call before you go in because some field offices require an appointment.

New Hampshire has six Social Security offices in the following locations:

Concord

70 Commercial St.
Suite 100
Concord, NH 03301

Telephone: 888-397-9798
Fax: 833-950-3587

Keene

9 Elm St.
Keene, NH 03431

Telephone: 877-405-3651
Fax: 833-515-0449

Littleton

177 Main St.
Littleton, NH 03561

Telephone: 877-405-7658
Fax: 833-515-0445

Manchester

1100 Elm St.
Suite 201
Manchester, NH 03101

Telephone: 866-814-5408
Fax: 833-950-3591

Nashua

175 Amherst St.
Nashua, NH 03064

Telephone: 877-444-0134
Fax: 833-515-0447

Portsmouth

215 Commerce Way
Suite 200
Portsmouth, NH 03801

Telephone: 888-397-9798
Fax: 833-950-3587

You can also use the zip code locator tool to find the hearing office closest to you. Be sure to bring your Social Security number, names and dates of your medical providers, and work history when you go for your appointment.

Apply for SSI or SSDI Over the Phone

Social Security's national hotline is 800-772-1213. You can call the number between 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, to speak with a representative. If you're deaf or hard of hearing, you can use the TTY number at 800-325-0778.

New Hampshire Disability Determination Services (DDS)

New Hampshire has a Bureau of Disability Determination Services (DDS) that makes the initial decisions for Social Security disability applications. While DDS is completely funded by Social Security, it is administered at the state level by the New Hampshire Department of Education. Here is the agency's contact information:

Social Security DDS
21 South Fruit St., Suite 30
Concord, NH 03301

Phone: 603-271-3341
Fax: 800-266-8096

DDS prefers phone calls for initial contact. You can also visit the DDS webpage for more information.

New Hampshire has one of highest rates of approval on initial disability claims, with 51% of applications awarded at this level in fiscal year 2023.

Disability Appeals in New Hampshire

If you receive a denial of benefits after you file your initial application, you can request reconsideration within 60 days after receiving your denial letter. Reconsideration is the first level of appeal for denied disability claims. When you appeal at this stage, you're asking another claims examiner at DDS to review your application and determine whether the first examiner's decision was incorrect.

In 2023, New Hampshire DDS approved 25% of disability claims at reconsideration, well above the national average of 15%. People who receive a second denial will need to request a hearing with an administrative law judge if they want to appeal again. You have 60 days after a denial to submit a hearing request, which will then be processed by the Social Security hearing office serving your local DDS.

For claims originating in the Concord, Keene, Littleton, Manchester, and Nashua offices, the hearing office handling your appeal is in Manchester. Your judge will likely be based out of this office, and if you have an in-person hearing, you'll likely have to travel to the address below:

Suite 303
1750 Elm Street
Manchester, NH 03104

Contact information for the Manchester hearing office is as follows:

Telephone: 888-318-7973
Fax: 833-563-0487
eFile Fax: 877-787-5233

If your disability claim was reviewed by the Portsmouth DDS, your case will be handled by the hearing office in Lawrence, MA. Here is the contact information for that office:

Suite 301
439 South Union Street
Lawrence, MA 01843

Telephone: 877-405-9189
Fax: 833-775-0565
eFile Fax: 877-312-6172

If you have a video conference or phone hearing, don't be too surprised if your judge isn't working from the hearing office closest to you. Social Security has National Hearing Centers with judges holding hearings for disability cases nationwide.

In fiscal year 2023, judges in the Lawrence office awarded benefits in about 50% of hearings held, while judges in the Manchester office awarded benefits about 54% of the time.

State Disability Benefit Amounts in New Hampshire

The federal government pays up to $943 per month in SSI benefits in 2024. This is called the "federal benefit rate." Each state can opt to provide more in SSI benefits, known as the "state supplement." Depending on your living arrangements, you may also be eligible for a state supplement in New Hampshire.

The state supplement is modest, ranging from around $40 for a single person living independently to about $220 for somebody living in a residential care facility. To apply for the supplement, or for more information, visit your local Bureau of Family Assistance, a division of New Hampshire's Department of Health and Human Services.

Am I Eligible for Medicaid In New Hampshire?

In New Hampshire, you don't automatically become eligible for Medicaid when you are approved for SSI. New Hampshire makes its own determination of whether your income and assets are low enough to qualify for Medicaid. You may be eligible for Medicaid in New Hampshire if:

• you are a resident of the state (and don't receive medical assistance in another state)
• you are a citizen or qualified alien
• you have proof of a valid Social Security number, and
• you meet the asset and income requirements.

The income and asset limit to be eligible for Medicaid depends on the size of your household. SSI is not counted as income. The asset limit is similar to the resource limit in the SSI program, but allows you to have more assets if you have a larger family.

If your income exceeds these amounts, you may still be eligible for partial coverage under the "In and Out" program. "In and Out" helps people whose income isn't enough to pay their medical bills, but is too much to qualify for Medicaid. Severely disabled children and adults may also be eligible for Medicaid without needing to meet the income and asset requirements. You can learn more about the program on the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services Medicaid webpage or go to nheasy.nh.gov to see if you are eligible.

Do I Need an Attorney to Apply for Social Security Disability?

You don't need to hire an attorney at any stage of the disability determination process, but it can be a good idea. A disability attorney can give you an idea of how strong your case is and the likelihood that you'll win benefits, and can also represent you on appeal if you are denied. For more information, see our article on when you should talk to a Social Security disability attorney.