NH SNAP Benefits for a Grandparent Raising a Grandchild

Feeding a grandchild you didn't expect to be raising stretches a fixed income fast. New Hampshire's SNAP program (still commonly called food stamps) can help — but the household rules work differently from the FANF cash grant, and that difference trips up a lot of grandparent caregivers.

SNAP Counts Your Income Too

Unlike the FANF child-only grant, where your personal income is excluded entirely, SNAP uses federal "purchase and prepare" rules. If you and the grandchild live together and share meals, you apply as a single SNAP household. That means your income, assets, and expenses all factor into the calculation.

This catches grandparents off guard when they've just been told their Social Security retirement doesn't count for FANF. For SNAP, it does count, and allowable deductions affect the calculation. Resources are not counted for categorically eligible households; other households follow the resource limits below.

Income Limits and Resource Rules

SNAP eligibility depends on your household category:

Categorically eligible households (receiving FANF or certain other assistance): no resource limit, and broad categorical eligibility income thresholds apply.

Households with a member aged 60 or older, or disabled: $4,750 resource limit, exempt from the gross income test, but must meet the net income standard.

Standard households: $3,000 resource limit, gross income under 130% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, net income under 100% FPG.

Most grandparent-headed kinship households fall into the second category. The exemption from the gross income test is significant — it means even if your Social Security or pension pushes gross income over the standard threshold, you may still qualify based on net income after deductions.

Deductions That Lower Your SNAP Income

BFA subtracts several deductions before calculating your net SNAP income:

• Standard deduction (varies by household size)
• 20% earned income deduction on wages
• Dependent care costs necessary for work or training
• Medical expenses over $35/month for household members aged 60+ or disabled (this includes prescriptions, doctor visits, Medicare premiums, and health insurance costs)
• Excess shelter costs exceeding 50% of adjusted income (rent, mortgage, property taxes, homeowner's insurance, utilities)

The medical expense deduction is particularly valuable for grandparent caregivers. If you're paying for prescriptions, supplemental insurance, or Medicare Part B premiums, those costs reduce your countable income and increase your SNAP benefit.

What Happens If the Parent Still Claims the Child

If an absent parent is still receiving SNAP for a child who has moved into your home, BFA can remove the child from the parent's case and add them to yours. You'll need to verify that the child lives with you and that you're preparing meals together.

How to Apply

File BFA Form 800 — the same application used for FANF, Medicaid, and Child Care Scholarships. Submit online at nheasy.nh.gov, by mail, fax, phone (1-844-ASK-DHHS), or in person at a District Office.

BFA must process SNAP applications within 30 days. If your household has very low income or resources, you may qualify for expedited processing within 7 calendar days.

Keeping Benefits Active

SNAP requires periodic redetermination every 6 to 12 months. If your SNAP certification period is not 4, 5, or 6 months, report changes in eligibility factors within 10 calendar days. If your household receives only SNAP and has a 4-, 5-, or 6-month certification period, report changes that would put household income above 130% of the poverty level. If your case closes for procedural reasons, you can get it reopened without a new application by submitting the missing information within 30 days.

SNAP is one part of the financial safety net for NH kinship caregivers. The complete New Hampshire kinship financial help guide covers SNAP alongside FANF cash grants, Medicaid, childcare subsidies, and emergency funds — with a document checklist for each program.

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