New Hampshire Medicaid waiver guide
Learn how New Hampshire Medicaid waiver services work, which state agency to start with, how the application process usually begins, and where to search for home and community-based services.
Last reviewed July 2026. See something out of date? Use the “Suggest an edit” button to let us know.
New Hampshire's Bureau of Developmental Services (BDS) oversees supports for people with developmental disabilities and acquired brain disorders, but you do not deal with the state directly. Ten designated non-profit area agencies cover specific regions and act as the state's Organized Health Care Delivery System — your area agency is where everything starts. New Hampshire runs three relevant waivers: the DD Waiver, the Acquired Brain Disorder Waiver, and the In-Home Supports Waiver for children. Both the DD and ABD waivers are in a renewal cycle covering 2026 through 2031.
Search by state, city, or ZIP code to compare provider profiles, services, contact details, and verified status.
People with developmental disabilities across the lifespan
People with an acquired brain disorder
Children with developmental disabilities living at home with their families
New Hampshire's rules state that any person whose state of residence is New Hampshire and who has a developmental disability is eligible for services. Home and community-based waiver services additionally require meeting the standards in administrative rule He-M 517.03, which sits within the broader He-M 500 series governing developmental services. Your area agency conducts the eligibility determination and connects you with a service coordinator.
New Hampshire's rules provide that any person who resides in the state and has a developmental disability is eligible for services. Residency plus the disability determination is the foundation.
Home and community-based waiver services additionally require meeting the requirements of administrative rule He-M 517.03. Ask your area agency to walk you through how that standard applies to your situation.
BDS serves people with acquired brain disorders as well as developmental disabilities, through its own waiver. If a brain injury is the primary condition, ask about the ABD Waiver specifically.
Waiver services are Medicaid-funded, so Medicaid eligibility runs alongside the developmental services determination.
Access to services runs through the ten area agencies, each covering a defined region as the state's Organized Health Care Delivery System. Availability of specific supports depends on your area agency's capacity and on state funding. Because the agencies are regional non-profits rather than state offices, the practical experience can differ across the state.
Ten designated non-profit area agencies cover specific regions of New Hampshire. Yours is determined by where you live, and it is the entry point for eligibility, service coordination, and waiver access.
Open linkYour area agency determines whether you meet New Hampshire's developmental disability criteria, or the acquired brain disorder criteria if that is the relevant route.
The DD Waiver and Acquired Brain Disorder Waiver serve different populations, and the In-Home Supports Waiver serves children living at home. The right one depends on the condition and the living situation.
Open linkWaiver services are Medicaid-funded, so get Medicaid in place alongside the developmental services determination rather than after it.
Service coordination is itself a covered support. Your coordinator helps build the plan, arrange services, and navigate the area agency system.
Exact covered services depend on the waiver, assessed need, Medicaid rules, funding, and state program requirements. Confirm services, availability, and payment acceptance with the state, support coordinator, and provider.
New Hampshire's developmental services system is built around individuals and families experiencing as much freedom, choice, control, and responsibility over their services as they want. Participant-directed options and flexible family supports are available — ask your service coordinator how directing your own services would work through your area agency.
Approved waiver services are paid by New Hampshire Medicaid. Once enrolled, there is generally little or no direct cost for covered services.
Because ten regional non-profits deliver the system, what is readily available can vary by region. If a support you need seems unavailable, ask whether it exists elsewhere in the state and what your options are.
In residential settings the waiver pays for services, not room and board, which is typically covered by the person's own income such as SSI.
New Hampshire's Early Supports and Services provides early intervention for infants and toddlers, and it sits within the same developmental services system rather than outside it.
The In-Home Supports Waiver serves children with developmental disabilities living at home with their families. Ask your area agency whether it fits before assuming the DD Waiver is the only option.
School districts provide special education under an IEP. Area agency services are separate from and additional to what school provides.
Day and vocational services, community supports, and personal care continue through the DD Waiver into adulthood. Start planning with your service coordinator well before school services end.
If eligibility or a waiver service is denied, reduced, or ended, you have the right to appeal within the deadline printed on your notice. Separately, anyone who suspects abuse, neglect, exploitation, or other service rights violations involving someone applying for, eligible for, or receiving area agency services can call the state's toll-free line at 1-855-450-3593 under rule He-M 202. The Disability Rights Center – NH is the state's protection and advocacy agency and offers a free confidential consultation with an attorney.
Protection & Advocacy agency for New Hampshire
1-800-834-1721Visit siteState oversight of developmental services — main office in Concord
Visit siteTen regional non-profits — your entry point for eligibility and services
Visit siteReport abuse, neglect, exploitation, or service rights violations (He-M 202)
1-855-450-3593Visit siteFree confidential attorney consultation — 603-228-0432 locally, TDD 1-800-834-1721
1-800-834-1721Visit siteLocal help & referrals — dial 211
Visit siteWith your area agency. Ten designated non-profit area agencies cover specific regions and serve as the state's Organized Health Care Delivery System. You do not apply to the state directly — your region's agency handles eligibility, service coordination, and waiver access.
Yes. The Bureau of Developmental Services covers both developmental disabilities and acquired brain disorders, and there is a separate Acquired Brain Disorder Waiver. If a brain injury is the primary condition, ask about the ABD route by name.
Yes — the In-Home Supports Waiver serves children with developmental disabilities living at home with their families. Early Supports and Services covers early intervention within the same system.
Call the state's toll-free line at 1-855-450-3593. Under rule He-M 202, anyone who suspects abuse, neglect, exploitation, or other service rights violations involving someone who has applied for, is eligible for, or receives area agency services is encouraged to report it.
The DD and Acquired Brain Disorder waivers are in a renewal cycle covering 2026 through 2031, with public comment sessions held in early 2026. Renewals can change service definitions and rules, so ask your service coordinator whether anything in your plan is affected.
New Hampshire's rules state that any person whose state of residence is New Hampshire and who has a developmental disability is eligible for services. Home and community-based waiver services additionally require meeting the standards in administrative rule He-M 517.03, which sits within the broader He-M 500 series governing developmental services. Your area agency conducts the eligibility determination and connects you with a service coordinator.
find your area agency, request an eligibility determination, ask which waiver fits, establish medicaid eligibility, then enroll and choose providers. Start with New Hampshire Bureau of Developmental Services.
Covered services vary by waiver and assessed need, and commonly include in-home supports, respite, supported employment, day services, behavior support, residential supports. Confirm specifics with the state and provider.
Access to services runs through the ten area agencies, each covering a defined region as the state's Organized Health Care Delivery System. Availability of specific supports depends on your area agency's capacity and on state funding. Because the agencies are regional non-profits rather than state offices, the practical experience can differ across the state.
Approved waiver services are generally covered by Medicaid at little or no direct cost once enrolled, though some enrollees may owe a monthly patient responsibility based on income.
New Hampshire's developmental services overview, area agency structure, and supports offered.
New HampshireThe waivers New Hampshire operates and what each covers.
New HampshireThe current renewal cycle, draft documents, and public comment materials.
New HampshireFree protection and advocacy services, including appeals help.
New HampshireFind waiver providers and services in New Hampshire on Waiverly.
Looking for another state? Browse the full resource map