Granite Advantage Income Limits in New Hampshire (2026)

Granite Advantage, New Hampshire's branded Medicaid expansion program, covers roughly 50,800 Granite Staters as of mid-2026, according to NH DHHS enrollment reports. New Hampshire first expanded Medicaid on July 1, 2014, as the New Hampshire Health Protection Program (NHHPP), a unique private-option model that used Medicaid funds to purchase marketplace insurance for newly eligible adults. In January 2019, the state replaced the NHHPP with the current Granite Advantage Health Care Program, which delivers coverage directly through two contracted managed care organizations: New Hampshire Healthy Families and Well Sense Health Plan. The 2026 Federal Poverty Level, $15,960 for a single person and $33,000 for a family of four in the 48 contiguous states per ASPE at aspe.hhs.gov, anchors every income threshold on this page.

Granite Advantage eligibility splits across four population groups, each with different income thresholds. Adults ages 19 to 64 qualify under Granite Advantage at 138% FPL, meaning no asset test and no requirement to have dependent children. Children under age 19 qualify for regular New Hampshire Medicaid up to 196% FPL, then for expanded children's Medicaid (CHIP) from 196% to 318% FPL, giving them a combined ceiling of 323% FPL. Pregnant women qualify up to 201% FPL, with coverage continuing for 12 full months postpartum under a 2023 New Hampshire statute. Elderly and disabled adults qualify under separate SSI-linked rules that do include an asset test ($2,500 individual for long-term care), and Medicaid-eligible individuals who also qualify for Medicare can access dual-eligible benefits. The Medicaid for Employed Adults with Disabilities (MEAD) program extends coverage up to 250% FPL for qualifying workers with disabilities.

The household-size income table below shows the 2026 Granite Advantage and New Hampshire Medicaid income guidelines for all three covered MAGI populations. Starting July 1, 2026, a notable change takes effect: Granite Advantage members with income between 100% and 138% FPL will be required to pay monthly premiums of $60 to $100 depending on family size. This is a significant policy shift from the prior no-premium model and affects roughly 15,000 to 20,000 current enrollees. Additionally, work requirements are scheduled to take effect no later than December 31, 2026, requiring most Granite Advantage members ages 19 to 64 to work or participate in approved activities. If your household income is over the Granite Advantage limit but under 400% FPL, you likely qualify for subsidized plans through healthcare.gov. If you have a child whose income is above the 323% CHIP ceiling, check ACA marketplace subsidies for children.

Granite Advantage Health Care Program (New Hampshire Medicaid Expansion) income limits by household size (2026)

The 2026 Granite Advantage (New Hampshire Medicaid) income guidelines below are based on the 2026 Federal Poverty Level for the 48 contiguous states. Adult column = Granite Advantage expansion threshold (138% FPL, ages 19-64). Children column = combined NH Medicaid and CHIP ceiling (323% FPL, under age 19). Pregnancy column = NH Medicaid for Pregnant Women (201% FPL, including 12 months postpartum). Add $5,680 of annual income per additional household member.

Granite Advantage Health Care Program (New Hampshire Medicaid Expansion) eligibility requirements (non-income)

Granite Advantage and New Hampshire Medicaid eligibility depends on residency, age, income, and for some categories, immigration status and disability determination. The MAGI-based categories (Granite Advantage adults, children, pregnant women) have no asset test. Asset tests apply only to the aged, blind, and disabled (ABD) categories and long-term care Medicaid.

• New Hampshire residency: applicants must live in New Hampshire at the time of application. DHHS verifies residency through a utility bill, signed lease, mortgage statement, or official mail addressed to the applicant at a New Hampshire address.
• U.S. citizenship or qualifying immigration status: Granite Advantage and full-scope Medicaid require U.S. citizenship, lawful permanent resident status, or other qualifying immigration status. Lawful permanent residents are generally subject to a 5-year waiting period before qualifying. Emergency Medicaid covers non-qualifying individuals for emergency services only.
• Age: Granite Advantage covers adults ages 19 to 64 only. Children under 19 are covered under the separate children's Medicaid and CHIP programs, and adults 65 and older are covered under the ABD Medicaid category with SSI-linked income and asset rules.
• Income below the population-specific threshold: Granite Advantage adults must have Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) at or below 138% FPL ($22,025 annual for a single adult in 2026). Children must be under 323% FPL. Pregnant women must be under 201% FPL. No minimum income is required.
• Social Security Number (SSN): applicants must provide an SSN or apply for one at the time of application. Children applying for Medicaid must also have an SSN on file unless they are undocumented, in which case only emergency Medicaid is available.
• No asset test for MAGI categories: Granite Advantage, children's Medicaid, and pregnancy Medicaid use MAGI rules and do not test savings, checking accounts, vehicles, or home equity. For long-term care Medicaid, an asset limit of $2,500 for an individual applies, with a 60-month lookback period for asset transfers. The Community Spouse Resource Allowance is up to $162,660 in 2026.
• Other insurance coverage: having private health insurance does not automatically disqualify an applicant. Medicaid may pay premiums for employer-sponsored coverage if it is cost-effective. Medicare beneficiaries who also qualify for Medicaid (dual-eligibles) can receive both programs simultaneously.

What income counts for Granite Advantage Health Care Program (New Hampshire Medicaid Expansion)

Granite Advantage and the other MAGI-based New Hampshire Medicaid categories use Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI), the same income definition as ACA marketplace plans. MAGI income is based on the federal tax return concept, not a strict cash-accounting test. New Hampshire applies the federal 5% income disregard on top of the posted 138% FPL threshold, effectively raising the Granite Advantage ceiling to approximately 143% FPL before the disregard is applied. The income figures shown in the table above already reflect this disregard. Asset-tested categories (ABD Medicaid, long-term care) use a different calculation and are not covered by MAGI rules.

Income sources included

• Wages, salaries, and tips: all W-2 employment income for every member of the household, including part-time and seasonal work.
• Self-employment net income: gross receipts from a business or 1099 work minus allowable business expenses, as reported on Schedule C or Schedule F.
• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Social Security retirement benefits: the taxable portion is counted as MAGI income. Note that SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is excluded and handled separately.
• Unemployment compensation: all state and federal unemployment benefits are counted in full as MAGI income.
• Interest, dividends, and capital gains: taxable investment income from bank accounts, stock sales, mutual funds, and bonds is included in MAGI.
• Pension, annuity, and retirement plan distributions: taxable distributions from 401(k), 403(b), IRA, and defined-benefit pension plans count as MAGI income.
• Rental and royalty income: net income from rental properties (gross rents minus allowable expenses) and royalty payments is included in MAGI.
• Alimony received under pre-2019 divorce decrees: alimony paid under divorce agreements executed before January 1, 2019, continues to count as MAGI income for the recipient. Agreements finalized on or after January 1, 2019, are excluded under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

Income sources excluded

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI): SSI payments from the Social Security Administration are not counted as MAGI income. SSI recipients are usually categorically eligible for Medicaid under separate rules.
• Child support received: court-ordered child support payments received by a household member are excluded from MAGI income.
• Veterans' benefits: VA disability compensation, VA pension, and GI Bill education benefits are excluded from MAGI income.
• Workers' compensation: lump-sum and ongoing workers' compensation payments for work-related injuries are excluded from MAGI.
• Gifts and inheritances: money or property received as a gift or inheritance is not counted as income under MAGI rules.
• Tax refunds and TANF cash assistance: federal and state income tax refunds and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cash payments are excluded from MAGI.

How to apply for Granite Advantage Health Care Program (New Hampshire Medicaid Expansion) in New Hampshire

Granite Advantage and New Hampshire Medicaid applications go through NH EASY (New Hampshire Electronic Assistance System) at nheasy.nh.gov, the statewide online benefits portal run by the NH Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The same application covers Medicaid, CHIP, SNAP, and other assistance programs. You can apply online, by mail (BFA Form 800MA for Medicaid only), by phone at 1-844-ASK-DHHS (1-844-275-3447), or in person at any local DHHS District Office. Granite Advantage has year-round open enrollment with no deadline, so you can apply any time.

1. 1. Gather documents: photo ID, Social Security cards for all household members applying, proof of New Hampshire residency (utility bill, lease, or signed statement), proof of income (last 30 days of pay stubs or most recent 1099 and tax return for self-employed), and proof of citizenship or immigration status.
2. 2. Create an account at nheasy.nh.gov or call 1-844-ASK-DHHS (1-844-275-3447). Online applications are fastest. You can also download BFA Form 800MA from the DHHS website if you prefer to apply by paper.
3. 3. Complete the application: list every household member, report all MAGI income sources, and answer the citizenship and residency questions. The system will prompt you to upload supporting documents or mail them to your local district office.
4. 4. Sign the application electronically through NH EASY (or physically sign the paper form). DHHS will send a confirmation number; save it for tracking your case status online.
5. 5. Respond promptly to any DHHS requests for additional information. DHHS may send a letter or call requesting clarification within 10 to 15 days of receiving your application. Failing to respond within the given window is one of the top reasons applications are denied.
6. 6. Wait for the eligibility determination notice. Most standard Medicaid applications are decided within 45 days. Pregnancy and newborn applications are decided within 10 days under federal expedited rules. Disability-based applications can take 60 to 90 days because they require a medical determination by the NH Disability Determination Unit.

Official portal: nheasy.nh.gov

Documents needed

• Photo identification for the head of household (New Hampshire driver's license, state ID, U.S. passport, or consular ID card)
• Social Security Numbers or proof of SSN application for every household member applying for Medicaid coverage
• Proof of New Hampshire residency (current utility bill, signed lease, mortgage statement, or postmarked official mail at the NH address)
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or qualifying immigration status (U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport, Certificate of Naturalization, or Permanent Resident Card)
• Last 30 days of pay stubs for all employed household members (or 12 months of business records and the most recent federal tax return for self-employment income)
• Proof of other income sources: Social Security award letters, pension statements, unemployment benefit letters, rental income records
• Pregnancy verification letter from a licensed healthcare provider (for pregnancy Medicaid applications only)

Processing timeline: Standard New Hampshire Medicaid applications are decided within 45 calendar days of receiving a complete application. Applications for children and pregnant women are processed on an expedited basis and typically decided within 10 days. Disability-based Medicaid applications (for adults applying due to disability rather than under Granite Advantage) take 60 to 90 days because a separate medical determination is required. Long-term care applications can take up to 90 days and require a clinical level-of-care assessment.

Common reasons applications get denied

• Income above the population-specific threshold: Granite Advantage adults with MAGI income above 138% FPL are the most common denial category. Income from all household members who file taxes together is counted.
• Failure to respond to a DHHS request for information: DHHS may request additional documents or clarification within 10 to 15 days of receiving the application. Applications closed for non-response can be reopened by reapplying.
• Unable to verify citizenship or immigration status: applicants who cannot provide an acceptable document verifying U.S. citizenship or qualifying immigration status will be denied full-scope Medicaid. Emergency Medicaid may still be available.
• Residency not verifiable in New Hampshire: applicants must demonstrate current New Hampshire residency at the time of application. Out-of-state addresses on identification documents without a corresponding NH utility bill or lease are a common documentation gap.
• Age outside the Granite Advantage range: adults 65 and older or children under 19 who apply specifically for Granite Advantage will be rerouted to the correct eligibility category (ABD Medicaid or children's Medicaid), which may have different income and asset rules than Granite Advantage.

If your child's income is above the New Hampshire Medicaid limit but still below 323% FPL

New Hampshire does not operate a separate, standalone CHIP program. Instead, NH uses Medicaid expansion funding and state dollars to cover children in two tiers under the same Medicaid umbrella. Children's Medicaid covers children under 19 with family income up to 196% FPL. Expanded Children's Medicaid (the functional CHIP tier) extends coverage from 196% FPL up to 318% FPL, with the 5% MAGI disregard raising the effective ceiling to 323% FPL. At $106,590 per year for a family of four, New Hampshire's combined children's ceiling is one of the highest in New England and far above the federal minimum of 200% FPL. Children in families earning above 323% FPL may qualify for ACA marketplace plans through healthcare.gov, where premium tax credits are available between 100% and 400% FPL using the 2025 FPL for 2026 plan year subsidies.

Compare children's Medicaid and CHIP income limits across all 50 states

If you are 65 or older (or disabled under 65) with limited income: Medicare Savings Programs in New Hampshire

New Hampshire runs three Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) for low-income Medicare beneficiaries. The Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program covers Medicare Parts A and B premiums, deductibles, and copayments for individuals with monthly income at or below 100% FPL (approximately $1,350 per month for one person in 2026). The Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) program pays the Part B premium for those with income between 100% and 120% FPL. The Qualifying Individual (QI) program, called SLMB-135 in New Hampshire, covers the Part B premium for income up to 135% FPL (approximately $1,816 per month single, $2,455 per month married). New Hampshire uses federal asset limits for all three tiers: $9,950 for a single person and $14,910 for a couple. NH also disregards the first $13 of monthly unearned income when determining MSP eligibility. Roughly 12 million Americans are dual-eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid nationally. Apply for MSP through NH DHHS at nheasy.nh.gov or by calling 1-844-ASK-DHHS.

Read the Medicare eligibility guide and Medicare Savings Programs overview

Frequently Asked Questions