How To Report SNAP Changes in New Hampshire: Step‑by‑Step Guide

If you receive SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits in New Hampshire, you are required to report certain changes to the state agency that manages your case. Reporting on time can help you avoid overpayments, benefit interruptions, or penalties.

This guide explains, in plain language, what changes to report, when to report them, and how to contact the official New Hampshire office that handles SNAP. HowToGetAssistance.org is an informational resource only—it is not a government office, and you cannot report changes or manage your benefits through this site.

SNAP in New Hampshire: Who Runs the Program?

In New Hampshire, SNAP is typically managed by the state’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) through local District Offices.

You generally must report changes directly to DHHS or your local District Office, using their official:

• Online benefits portal
• Phone numbers / call center
• Mail, fax, or in‑person visits

Names of specific systems and contact information may change over time, so it’s best to look at:

• Your SNAP approval letter or recent notice, or
• The official New Hampshire DHHS website, or
• Call 211 to ask how to reach the official SNAP office in your area.

Why Reporting SNAP Changes Matters

SNAP benefits are based on your household size, income, expenses, and living situation. When those things change, your eligibility or benefit amount can change too.

Reporting changes helps:

• Keep your benefits at the correct amount
• Prevent overpayments that you might have to pay back
• Protect you from fraud or penalties for unreported changes
• Ensure you get more help if you suddenly qualify for a higher benefit

In many cases, failing to report required changes on time can lead to:

• Reduced or stopped benefits
• Repayment of extra benefits you were not supposed to receive
• Possible sanctions or disqualification in serious cases

What Changes You Usually Must Report for SNAP in NH

New Hampshire uses different reporting rules depending on your household and how your case is set up. Still, the following types of changes are commonly required to be reported:

1. Changes in Income

You should typically report if:

• Someone starts a new job or loses a job
• Work hours increase or decrease significantly
• Overtime, tips, or bonuses change your usual income
• You start or stop self-employment
• You begin receiving unemployment, disability, pension, or Social Security
• You no longer receive a type of income you used to get

Many New Hampshire SNAP households must report if their gross monthly income goes over the limit listed on their approval notice. That notice often explains which income changes must be reported and by when.

2. Household Size Changes

You generally must report if:

• A child or adult moves in or out of your home
• There is a birth, adoption, or death in the household
• Someone who used to buy and cook food separately now shares meals and expenses with you

SNAP rules look at the household as a group of people who buy and prepare food together, so changes in who lives with you and eats with you matter.

3. Changes in Address or Housing Costs

You usually need to report:

• New address or move to a different county or state
• Changes in rent or mortgage payment
• Changes in utilities you are responsible for (heat, electricity, etc.)
• Moving into subsidized housing or public housing

These changes can affect how deductions are calculated and may change your SNAP benefit.

4. Changes in Work or Participation Requirements

If your household includes adults who must meet work requirements (such as certain Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents), you should report if:

• You start or stop working
• Your weekly hours drop below the required minimum
• You start attending an approved training or work program
• You are excused from work requirements due to disability, pregnancy, or other approved reasons (with documentation)

5. Changes in Disability or Medical Expenses

For households with members who are elderly or have a disability, you may need to report changes such as:

• New or higher out-of-pocket medical expenses (co-pays, prescriptions, transportation to medical appointments)
• No longer having certain medical expenses you previously claimed
• Being approved for disability benefits like SSI or SSDI

These medical costs can increase your SNAP deductions, which may increase your benefits.

6. Changes in Child Care or Dependent Care Costs

If you pay for child care or care for a disabled adult so someone in your household can work, look for work, or attend training, you should report if:

• You start paying for these costs
• Your care costs go up or down
• You stop paying for these services

These expenses can also reduce your countable income, possibly raising your benefit.

When You Must Report Changes in New Hampshire

New Hampshire SNAP households may be in different reporting categories (such as “simplified reporting” or other types). Your approval letter or recertification notice usually tells you:

• Which changes you must report
• How quickly you must report them

Common reporting timelines include:

• Within 10 days of the change
• By the 10th day of the month after the change

Because rules can vary, always check:

• Your Notice of Decision
• Any Change Reporting form or pamphlet included with your approval
• The official DHHS customer service line

If you are uncertain whether a change must be reported, it is often safer to contact your local office and ask.

How to Report SNAP Changes in New Hampshire

You typically have several options to report changes. The exact choices can depend on your county and the tools New Hampshire DHHS currently offers.

1. Online Through the Official Benefits Portal

Many New Hampshire residents can report changes:

• Through the state’s official online benefits account
• By logging in with the username and password used during application or recertification

Common actions you can usually do online:

• Submit a change report
• Update address or contact information
• Upload verification documents

If you are unsure of the official website, use:

• Your SNAP approval letter for the website address, or
• Call 211 or your local DHHS office and ask for the correct state benefits portal name and web address

✅ Important: Make sure the site clearly shows New Hampshire DHHS or another state government label (such as “.gov”) before entering personal information.

2. By Phone

You can often report changes by calling:

• The New Hampshire DHHS main customer service line, or
• Your local District Office number listed on your notice

When you call, be ready to provide:

• Your full name
• Your case number or client ID (from your EBT card or notices)
• Your date of birth
• Details of the change (who, what, when, and how much)

The worker may ask you to mail, fax, or upload proof (such as pay stubs or a lease) after your call.

3. In Person at a Local District Office

You can usually visit a local DHHS District Office to:

• Ask questions about which changes to report
• Fill out a Change Report Form
• Drop off or show documents

Check office hours by calling ahead or checking official state sources, as hours and in-person rules can change.

4. By Mail or Fax

Many people in New Hampshire also report changes by:

• Mailing a completed Change Report Form or a written statement, or
• Faxing the form and documents to the number listed on their notice

If you mail or fax:

• Include your full name and case number on every page
• Keep copies of what you send
• If possible, use a method where you get a receipt or confirmation

Information and Documents Commonly Needed

When reporting a change, be as clear and specific as you can. Typical information includes:

• Your full name
• Your case number or client ID
• Your address and phone number
• The date the change happened or will happen
• Detailed description of the change

You may be asked to provide proof such as:

• For income changes

  • Recent pay stubs (usually last 4 weeks, if available)
  • A letter from your employer stating start date, end date, hours, and pay rate
  • Unemployment or benefit award letters

• For household size changes

  • Birth certificate or hospital record for a new baby
  • Lease or signed statement showing who lives in the home
  • Proof of someone moving out (new lease, mail, or written statement)

• For housing or utility changes

  • New lease or mortgage statement
  • Rent receipt
  • Utility bills in your name

• For medical expenses (if you are elderly or disabled and claiming them)

  • Pharmacy printouts
  • Medical bills and receipts
  • Insurance premium statements

• For child or dependent care

  • Invoices or receipts from the care provider
  • Written statement of regular monthly cost

Your local DHHS office can explain exactly which documents are acceptable in your situation.

Summary: Ways to Report SNAP Changes in New Hampshire

Below is a simple overview of common reporting options and what they are often used for.

Always confirm the correct address, fax number, and portal through the official New Hampshire DHHS contact information on your notices or through state resources.

What Happens After You Report a Change

Once you report a change, the state agency typically:

1. Reviews your information

   • A caseworker checks how the change affects your eligibility and benefit amount.

2. Requests more proof (if needed)

   • If something is missing or unclear, you may get a notice asking for additional documents by a certain deadline.

3. Issues a new notice

   • You should receive a written notice explaining:
     • Whether your SNAP amount is going up, down, or staying the same
     • The effective date of the change
     • Your rights to appeal if you disagree

4. Adjusts your benefits

   • Your EBT card may receive a different amount starting in a specific month.

If you do not receive any response after a reasonable time, you can call your local DHHS office or check your online account (if available) to confirm that your change was received and processed.

Common Problems and How to Avoid Them

1. Missing Deadlines

If you miss the reporting deadline shown on your notice, you may:

• Get overpaid and owe money back
• Risk benefits being reduced or stopped

To avoid this:

• Report required changes as soon as possible, even if you’re not sure they matter
• Ask your local office how quickly you are required to report for your specific case type

2. Incomplete Information or Missing Documents

If the state does not get enough information, your benefits may be:

• Delayed
• Incorrectly calculated

To minimize this:

• Provide full details: dates, amounts, names, and reasons
• Send clear copies of requested documents
• Respond quickly to any notice asking for more information

3. Not Reading or Opening Mail

Important letters may explain:

• Changes in your benefits
• Requests for more proof
• Deadlines to respond

Always:

• Open every letter from New Hampshire DHHS or your local office
• Keep all notices in a folder for future reference

4. Confusing SNAP With Other Programs

If you also receive TANF, Medicaid, or other benefits, you may need to report changes separately for each program, even though they are often handled by the same agency.

Ask the caseworker:

• “Do I also need to report this change for my other benefits?”

If You Disagree With a Change to Your SNAP

If, after you report a change, you receive a notice that you do not agree with (for example, a cut or termination of benefits), you usually have the right to:

• Request a fair hearing or appeal within a certain time limit stated on the notice

To move forward, you typically can:

• Mail or fax an appeal request using the instructions on the notice
• Call your local DHHS office or the hearing unit listed on the letter
• Ask about your right to continue benefits while the appeal is being reviewed (which may have repayment risk if you lose your appeal)

Community organizations, legal aid groups, or advocacy services in New Hampshire may be able to help you understand your options.

If You No Longer Qualify or Your Benefits End

If your income goes up or your household changes so that you no longer qualify for SNAP, the official agency will normally send a notice of closure or reduction.

If that happens, you may still be able to look for:

• Food pantries and community food banks
• Free or low-cost community meal programs
• Help from 211 to find local food resources and social services

These options are separate from SNAP and may have their own eligibility rules.

How to Make Sure You’re Using an Official Channel

Because SNAP deals with personal data and benefits, it is important to protect yourself from scams. You can:

• Use only websites that clearly belong to New Hampshire state government
• Verify phone numbers and addresses through:
  • Your SNAP notices
  • The official New Hampshire DHHS site
  • 211, which can direct you to government offices
• Be cautious of:
  • Sites or people requesting fees to “speed up” your SNAP changes
  • Messages asking for your PIN or full EBT card number unexpectedly

HowToGetAssistance.org does not manage cases, accept applications, or process changes. To report changes to SNAP in New Hampshire, you must go through New Hampshire DHHS or your local District Office using their official channels.