NH Medicaid Eligibility for Seniors 2026: Income and Asset Limits
Two Different Programs, Two Different Sets of Rules
When people search for "Medicaid for seniors" in New Hampshire, they're usually looking for one of two things — and mixing them up leads to false conclusions about eligibility.
Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) help low-income seniors pay their Medicare premiums, deductibles, and copays. The asset limit is relatively generous at $9,950 for an individual.
Full Medicaid for long-term care (nursing home coverage or the Choices for Independence home-based waiver) has much stricter financial requirements — a $2,500 asset limit and a $2,982/month income cap for 2026.
A senior who owns $8,000 in savings would be disqualified from long-term care Medicaid but would pass the MSP asset test with room to spare. This distinction matters because many families assume the $2,500 figure applies to everything and never apply for MSP help they'd actually qualify for.
Medicare Savings Program Limits (2026)
| Program | Monthly Income (Single) | Monthly Income (Couple) | Assets (Single/Couple) |
|---|---|---|---|
| QMB | $1,350 | $1,824 | $9,950 / $14,910 |
| SLMB | $1,616 | $2,184 | $9,950 / $14,910 |
| SLMB135 | $1,816 | $2,455 | $9,950 / $14,910 |
Income figures include the standard $20 general disregard. A person with $1,370 gross monthly Social Security has $1,350 in countable income — right at the QMB ceiling.
What Counts as an Asset — and What Doesn't
The $9,950 asset limit applies to liquid assets and property that can be converted to cash. Several major categories are excluded:
Excluded:
- Primary home (no equity limit for MSPs — the equity cap applies only to long-term care Medicaid)
- One vehicle used for transportation
- Burial plots and headstones
- Designated burial funds up to $1,500 per person
- Term life insurance
- Whole life insurance with face value at or below $1,500
Counted:
- Bank accounts (checking, savings)
- CDs, stocks, bonds, mutual funds
- Cash surrender value of whole life policies over $1,500 face value
- Equity in additional vehicles
Retirement accounts get conditional treatment. If an IRA or 401(k) is in periodic payment status — meaning the person takes regular distributions — the account balance is excluded and only the monthly payment counts as income. If the account is sitting untouched, the full balance counts as a resource.
Free Download
Get the New Hampshire — Medicare Savings Program Eligibility Checklist
Everything in this article as a printable checklist — plus action plans and reference guides you can start using today.
SSI Recipients Are Already Covered
New Hampshire is a Section 1634 state, which means SSI recipients are automatically enrolled in Medicaid. If your parent receives Supplemental Security Income and has both Medicare Part A and Part B, they already have Medicaid covering Medicare cost-sharing — no separate MSP application needed.
The MSP application matters for low-income seniors who don't receive SSI but still have limited income and assets. That's a large group: someone getting $1,300 a month from Social Security alone doesn't qualify for SSI but would easily qualify for QMB.
How to Apply
All Medicaid-related applications in New Hampshire go through DHHS:
- Online: nheasy.nh.gov
- Paper: Form 800 at any DHHS District Office
- Phone: 1-844-275-3447
DHHS processes MSP applications within 45 days. The same Form 800 is used for both MSPs and full Medicaid — the caseworker determines which programs the applicant qualifies for based on the financial information provided.
Our New Hampshire Medicare Savings Programs & Extra Help Guide explains the difference between MSPs and full Medicaid in detail, with asset calculation worksheets and worked examples for common scenarios.
Get Your Free New Hampshire — Medicare Savings Program Eligibility Checklist
Download the New Hampshire — Medicare Savings Program Eligibility Checklist — a printable guide with checklists, scripts, and action plans you can start using today.