New Hampshire calls its Summer EBT program “S-EBT” — Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer — administered by the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Eligible children receive $120 per child for summer grocery purchases. New Hampshire has a critically important rule that makes it stand out in this series: even auto-enrolled families must submit their mailing address to DHHS before a card will be issued.
Without submitting your address at nheasy.nh.gov, you will not receive your S-EBT card — even if your child qualifies automatically.
New Hampshire S-EBT 2026 — Key Facts
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Program name | S-EBT (Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer) |
| Benefit amount | $120 per eligible child (one-time payment) |
| State agency | New Hampshire DHHS |
| Official page | dhhs.nh.gov/summerebt |
| Eligibility page | dhhs.nh.gov/programs-services/food-meals-assistance/summer-ebt/who-eligible-summer-ebt |
| Address portal | nheasy.nh.gov |
| Apply | dhhs.nh.gov/summerebt (for non-auto-enrolled families) |
| Card replacement | EBT Client Services: (888) 997-9777 |
| Card PIN setup | Call (888) 997-9777; follow prompts — no representative needed |
| Card issuance | Within 10–14 days of approval letter |
| Benefits expire | 122 days from issue date |
| Card type | New S-EBT card (separate from SNAP EBT card) |
| New Hampshire SNAP | Called “SNAP” — portal is NH Easy (nheasy.nh.gov) |
| SNAP income limit | 200% FPL (BBCE — more generous than most states) |
The Critical Rule: Auto-Enrolled Families Must Submit Their Address
This is the most important and unique rule in New Hampshire’s S-EBT program:
“You will automatically receive S-EBT benefits, BUT you must give DHHS your address so you can get your S-EBT card. Visit the address portal at nheasy.nh.gov to provide your contact information. You must give DHHS your address to receive S-EBT.”
Even if your child is automatically eligible through SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid, DHHS will not mail an S-EBT card without you first submitting your address through the NH Easy portal at nheasy.nh.gov.
This is different from nearly every other state in this series, where auto-enrolled families simply wait for a card to arrive. In New Hampshire, submitting your address is an active step required even for automatically eligible families.
Go to nheasy.nh.gov and submit your address as soon as possible if you believe your child qualifies.
Who Qualifies for New Hampshire S-EBT
Automatically Eligible (Must Submit Address at nheasy.nh.gov)
Your child automatically qualifies — but remember, you must still submit your address — if, during the 2025–2026 school year, your household received any of the following AND your child attended an NSLP or SBP participating school:
- SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)
- TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)
- Medicaid
Children who were approved for free or reduced-price school meals through an NSLP/SBP application during 2025–2026 are also automatically eligible. Their school certification triggers auto-enrollment.
Per the official DHHS announcement: “Families enrolled in the NSLP/SBP who received assistance through SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid during the 2024–2025 school year will automatically receive Summer EBT benefits unless they opt out of the program.”
Must Apply — Non-Auto-Enrolled Families
If your household did not receive SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid during the 2025–2026 school year AND your child did not receive free or reduced-price meals, you must apply for S-EBT at dhhs.nh.gov/summerebt. You may be eligible if:
- Household income was at or below 185% FPL
- Your child attended an NSLP-participating school
Apply through the S-EBT application at dhhs.nh.gov/summerebt.
New Hampshire S-EBT Income Limits 2026
For families applying based on income (not auto-enrolled):
| Household Size | Monthly Gross Income Limit | Annual Gross Income Limit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2,248 | $26,973 |
| 2 | $3,041 | $36,482 |
| 3 | $3,834 | $46,006 |
| 4 | $4,628 | $55,530 |
| 5 | $5,421 | $65,052 |
| 6 | $6,214 | $74,574 |
| 7 | $7,008 | $84,098 |
| 8 | $7,801 | $93,608 |
| Each additional | +$794/month | +$9,524/year |
Based on 185% FPL. Confirm thresholds at dhhs.nh.gov/summerebt.
New Hampshire SNAP note: New Hampshire SNAP uses 200% FPL through BBCE with no asset limit — more generous than the 185% S-EBT threshold. Families who qualify for SNAP auto-qualify for S-EBT, but the S-EBT income-based application still uses 185% FPL. See New Hampshire SNAP income limits for the full SNAP picture.
How to Receive Your New Hampshire S-EBT Card
For Auto-Enrolled Families
- Go to nheasy.nh.gov and submit your mailing address
- DHHS will send an approval letter
- A new S-EBT card will be issued within 10–14 days of your approval letter
- When the card arrives, call (888) 997-9777 to set your PIN
The new S-EBT card is separate from your regular SNAP EBT card — New Hampshire issues a dedicated S-EBT card rather than loading benefits onto your existing card.
For Families Applying
- Apply at dhhs.nh.gov/summerebt
- Provide income documentation as requested
- Upon approval, receive your approval letter
- Your S-EBT card is issued within 10–14 days of the approval letter
Setting Your S-EBT Card PIN
New Hampshire provides specific PIN setup instructions from the official DHHS page:
- Call (888) 997-9777
- Listen for the prompt to choose your PIN — you do not need to speak to a representative
- Enter the 16-digit S-EBT card number on the front of your card
- Enter the last 4 digits of your SSN or your date of birth
- Select a 4-digit PIN
- Keep your PIN safe — do not write it on the card
For broader activation guidance, see how to activate your Summer EBT card.
Opting Out of New Hampshire S-EBT
New Hampshire’s auto-enrolled families can opt out of S-EBT. Per the official DHHS press release, families enrolled through SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid will automatically receive benefits “unless they opt out of the program.” Contact DHHS at (800) 852-3345 or visit dhhs.nh.gov/summerebt for opt-out instructions.
“Got Lunch” — New Hampshire’s Local Program
In addition to the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), New Hampshire has a distinctive local summer food program called “Got Lunch!” — run by some cities and towns across the state. Got Lunch provides free lunch to children in communities that choose to operate it, independent of the federal SFSP system.
Got Lunch programs have operated in communities including Concord, Manchester, Nashua, Keene, and Laconia. Check with your local municipality or school district to see if your community participates.
This program is mentioned in the DHHS official announcement alongside SFSP and SNAP as part of New Hampshire’s suite of summer nutrition resources.
New Hampshire SNAP Context
New Hampshire’s SNAP program — administered by DHHS’s Division of Economic and Housing Stability — is accessed through the NH Easy portal at nheasy.nh.gov. The same portal where you submit your S-EBT address is also the SNAP management platform.
New Hampshire has one of the smallest SNAP caseloads in New England (approximately 80,000 residents), but its 200% FPL BBCE eligibility and no asset test make it one of the more accessible SNAP programs in the region. See how to apply for SNAP benefits in New Hampshire for the full process.
Where to Use New Hampshire S-EBT
New Hampshire S-EBT works at any authorized SNAP retailer statewide:
- Major grocery chains — Market Basket, Hannaford, Shaw’s, Price Chopper, Walmart, Stop & Shop
- Farmers’ markets that accept SNAP/EBT across New Hampshire
- Convenience stores with SNAP authorization
- Online grocery ordering at Walmart and Amazon Fresh where EBT is accepted
New Hampshire S-EBT follows SNAP food rules — eligible for most groceries; not for hot food, alcohol, tobacco, vitamins, or non-food items. See SNAP-approved food purchases for the full guide.
Additional Resources for New Hampshire Families
New Hampshire SNAP: Apply at nheasy.nh.gov or call DHHS at (800) 852-3345. Check New Hampshire SNAP income limits and see how to apply for SNAP benefits in New Hampshire.
WIC: For families with a pregnant woman, breastfeeding mother, or child under 5. Check New Hampshire WIC eligibility.
SUN Meals / SFSP: Free hot meals for all children 18 and under at community sites. Dial 211 (New Hampshire 211) or visit fns.usda.gov/meals/find-sites. Also check locally for Got Lunch programs in your town.
LIHEAP: New Hampshire SNAP households automatically meet LIHEAP income requirements. New Hampshire winters are harsh; heating oil costs are among the highest in the country. See LIHEAP eligibility and application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who qualifies for New Hampshire S-EBT?
Children in households that received SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid during the 2025–2026 school year — and who attended an NSLP/SBP school — are automatically eligible. Children approved for free or reduced-price school meals are also auto-eligible. Families not in those programs may apply at dhhs.nh.gov/summerebt if household income is at or below 185% FPL.
Do I need to do anything if my child is automatically eligible?
Yes — even if auto-eligible, you must submit your mailing address at nheasy.nh.gov. DHHS will not mail an S-EBT card without receiving your address. This is the most important action for New Hampshire families.
Does New Hampshire S-EBT go on my SNAP card?
No — New Hampshire issues a separate S-EBT card. Even SNAP households receive a new dedicated S-EBT card rather than having benefits added to their existing SNAP EBT card.
How do I set my S-EBT PIN?
Call (888) 997-9777 and follow the prompts — no representative needed. Have your 16-digit card number ready plus your SSN last 4 digits or date of birth.
What is “Got Lunch!” in New Hampshire?
Got Lunch! is a locally run summer meal program in some New Hampshire cities and towns that provides free lunch to children during the summer. It operates independently of the federal Summer Food Service Program. Check with your local municipality or school district.
For the complete Summer EBT national overview, see the SUN Bucks program guide. To check your New Hampshire SNAP eligibility, use the food assistance eligibility tool.