Meals on Wheels and Senior Transportation in New Hampshire

Meals on Wheels in New Hampshire

Meals on Wheels delivers prepared meals directly to homebound seniors — typically one hot meal per day, five days a week. In New Hampshire, the program is funded through the federal Older Americans Act and administered by regional Area Agencies on Aging and community action programs.

There is no income test. Anyone aged 60 or older can request home-delivered meals, though programs may prioritize people who are homebound, live alone, or have limited access to nutrition. Voluntary contributions are suggested but never required — no one is turned away for inability to pay.

To sign up, call your local ServiceLink office at 1-866-634-9412. ServiceLink coordinates referrals to the meal delivery program serving your parent's county. Depending on the local provider, your parent may also receive:

• Frozen meals for weekends and holidays
• Special dietary accommodations (diabetic, low-sodium, pureed)
• Brief wellness checks during delivery — the driver's daily visit doubles as a safety contact

For parents who aren't homebound and want social connection along with a meal, many Area Agencies on Aging also operate congregate dining sites at senior centers and community buildings. Same eligibility, same voluntary contribution model.

Three Layers of Senior Transportation

Getting to medical appointments, pharmacies, and grocery stores is one of the first capabilities an aging parent loses — and one of the most dangerous to ignore. A parent who can't get to the doctor skips appointments. A parent who can't get to the pharmacy runs out of medications. A parent who drives when they shouldn't puts themselves and everyone else on the road at risk.

New Hampshire has three transportation systems serving older adults, each with different eligibility rules.

Aging Network Rides (Older Americans Act)

Funded through the same Older Americans Act programs that support Meals on Wheels, aging network transportation provides rides to medical appointments, essential errands, and community activities for adults 60 and older. No income test. Voluntary contribution suggested.

Service availability varies significantly by county. Urban areas like Hillsborough and Rockingham counties typically offer more frequent scheduling and broader geographic coverage. Rural counties may only have rides available certain days of the week or within limited service areas.

Schedule rides through your local ServiceLink office or directly through the Area Agency on Aging serving your parent's county.

Medicaid Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT)

If your parent is enrolled in New Hampshire Medicaid — whether through the CFI waiver or standard Medicaid — they have a federal right to non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT). Medicaid covers rides to and from medical appointments, pharmacies, therapy sessions, and any other covered medical service.

NEMT is a Medicaid entitlement, not a discretionary benefit. The state must provide it. To arrange a ride, your parent (or you as their representative) contacts the NEMT broker or scheduling service designated by their Medicaid managed care plan. Rides typically require 48 to 72 hours advance notice, though urgent medical appointments may receive expedited scheduling.

NEMT covers:

• Rides to doctor and specialist appointments
• Transportation to dialysis, chemotherapy, and other recurring treatments
• Pharmacy trips when medications cannot be delivered
• Wheelchair-accessible vehicles when needed

This is strictly medical transportation. NEMT does not cover trips to the grocery store, social visits, or non-medical errands — those fall under the aging network rides described above.

ADA Paratransit

If your parent lives within three-quarters of a mile of a fixed-route public transit line and has a disability that prevents them from using the regular bus, they're entitled to ADA complementary paratransit under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Paratransit provides door-to-door rides within the transit system's service area. Fares cannot exceed twice the regular fixed-route fare. The service runs during the same hours as the fixed-route system it complements.

In New Hampshire, paratransit availability depends on which transit systems operate near your parent. The Manchester Transit Authority (MTA), Nashua Transit System, and Concord Area Transit (CAT) all offer ADA paratransit services within their respective service zones. Rural areas without fixed-route transit have no ADA paratransit obligation.

To become eligible, your parent must complete an ADA paratransit application through the local transit authority, which may include a functional assessment of their ability to use fixed-route service.

Coordination Across Programs

Your parent can use multiple transportation programs simultaneously. A typical arrangement might look like:

• NEMT for all medical appointments (covered by Medicaid at no cost)
• Aging network rides for grocery shopping and errands (voluntary contribution)
• ADA paratransit for trips within the transit service area

ServiceLink counselors can help map out which programs serve your parent's area and coordinate scheduling across them. The key is knowing which program to call for which trip — using the wrong one either costs money unnecessarily or delays scheduling.

When Transportation Breaks Down

If your parent is on Medicaid and NEMT rides are consistently unavailable, late, or refused, that's a program violation you can escalate. Contact the Medicaid managed care plan's member services line, document the missed rides, and request a formal grievance if the pattern continues.

For aging network transportation shortages, contact your local Area Agency on Aging or ServiceLink. Some counties have volunteer driver programs that supplement the formal transportation network, and ServiceLink can connect you with those resources.

The Aging in Place in New Hampshire guide covers transportation options as part of the broader non-Medicaid safety net, alongside home-delivered meals, caregiver respite, and Title XX social services.

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