New Hampshire runs two very different benefit tracks for residents who have both Medicare and low income. Dual eligible status is not one single benefit; it splits into two tracks that pay for very different things. Full-benefit dual eligibles get complete New Hampshire Medicaid coverage layered on top of Medicare, including long-term care and dental benefits Medicare does not cover. Partial-benefit dual eligibles enrolled only in a Medicare Savings Program get help with Medicare premiums and cost-sharing, and nothing more.
New Hampshire's 2026 Medicare Savings Program income limits appear below by household size, along with what full duals and partial duals actually receive, how to apply through NH EASY, and what to do if New Hampshire DHHS denies an application. For the national income-limit picture, see Medicaid income limits by state, and check the 2026 federal poverty level chart to compare New Hampshire's thresholds.
Quick Answer: Dual Eligible Benefits in New Hampshire (2026)
Depends on income. New Hampshire residents with Medicare become dual eligible either as full duals, who get complete New Hampshire Medicaid coverage plus Medicare in 2026, or as partial duals enrolled in a Medicare Savings Program (QMB, SLMB, or QI) that pays only Medicare premiums and cost-sharing. Full Medicaid requires income near $1,008 a month for one person in 2026; the Medicare Savings Program QMB limit reaches $1,350 a month in 2026.
What Dual Eligible Means in New Hampshire
New Hampshire residents qualify as dual eligible when they are enrolled in Medicare (Part A, Part B, or both) and also qualify for some level of New Hampshire Medicaid assistance. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services groups dual eligibles into two broad categories. Full-benefit dual eligibles receive the complete New Hampshire Medicaid benefit package, including long-term care, dental, and transportation, on top of Medicare. Partial-benefit dual eligibles, sometimes called Medicare Savings Program only enrollees, get help paying Medicare premiums and cost-sharing but do not receive the full New Hampshire Medicaid benefit package.
New Hampshire runs three Medicare Savings Programs in 2026: Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB), Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB), and Qualifying Individual (QI, called SLMB-135 in New Hampshire). Each program pays a different slice of Medicare costs, and only QMB status also caps Medicare Part A and Part B cost-sharing. Roughly 12 million Americans are dual eligible nationwide, and New Hampshire Medicaid processes Medicare Savings Program and full-Medicaid applications through the same NH EASY portal.
New Hampshire Medicare Savings Program Income Limits by Household Size (2026)
New Hampshire uses the federal Medicare Savings Program income formula, which is based on the 2026 federal poverty level plus a $20 monthly general income disregard. The table below shows the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) monthly income limit, the most generous New Hampshire Medicare Savings Program tier, by household size. Two other tiers extend further: Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) allows up to $1,616 a month for one person in 2026, and Qualifying Individual (QI) allows up to $1,816 a month for one person in 2026. New Hampshire also applies a resource limit of $9,950 for an individual and $14,910 for a couple in 2026 to all three Medicare Savings Programs.
New Hampshire Medicare Savings Program tiers by monthly income limit (2026)| Program | Individual monthly limit (2026) | Couple monthly limit (2026) | What it pays |
|---|
| Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) | $1,350 | $1,824 | Part A and Part B premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments |
| Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) | $1,616 | $2,184 | Part B premium only |
| Qualifying Individual (QI / SLMB-135) | $1,816 | $2,455 | Part B premium only, funded through a capped annual federal grant |
All three New Hampshire Medicare Savings Programs use a $9,950 individual and $14,910 couple resource limit in 2026. QMB enrollment also automatically qualifies a New Hampshire resident for the full Extra Help subsidy that lowers Medicare Part D drug costs.
Source: Medicare.gov Medicare Savings Programs, CMS 2026 MSP Income Limits, New Hampshire DHHS
What Full Duals and Partial Duals Actually Get in New Hampshire
New Hampshire dual eligibles get different benefits depending on which category they fall into. Full-benefit dual eligibles keep Medicare as their primary coverage for doctor visits, hospital stays, and Part D drugs, then New Hampshire Medicaid pays Medicare's deductibles and coinsurance and adds benefits Medicare does not cover: long-term nursing home care, non-emergency medical transportation, dental care, and personal care services. Partial-benefit dual eligibles enrolled only in a Medicare Savings Program keep Medicare as their only real coverage; New Hampshire Medicaid's role is limited to paying the Part B premium and, for QMB enrollees, Part A and Part B deductibles and coinsurance.
New Hampshire's regular aged, blind, and disabled Medicaid category, separate from the Medicare Savings Programs, uses a lower monthly income limit of about $1,008 for one person and $1,492 for a married couple in 2026. Because that limit is well below the Medicare Savings Program limits, many New Hampshire seniors and people with disabilities qualify for a Medicare Savings Program even when their income is too high for full New Hampshire Medicaid.
How to Apply for Dual Eligible Benefits in New Hampshire
New Hampshire residents apply for both full Medicaid and the Medicare Savings Programs through the same application. Applying online at NH EASY (nheasy.nh.gov) is the fastest route in 2026, and the same portal also manages SNAP, cash assistance, and energy assistance benefits. New Hampshire DHHS aims to issue a decision within 30 days of a complete application.
- Online at NH EASY (nheasy.nh.gov)
- By phone at 1-844-275-3447 (DHHS Customer Service Center)
- By phone at 1-800-852-3345, extension 9700
- By mail or in person at 129 Pleasant Street, Concord, NH 03301, or a local DHHS District Office
Is New Hampshire a Medicaid Expansion State?
New Hampshire expanded Medicaid in 2014 and now runs the expansion population through the Granite Advantage Health Care Program, reauthorized by the state legislature through December 31, 2030. Granite Advantage covers adults ages 19 to 64 with income up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level, which is $22,025 a year for one person in 2026. Most New Hampshire dual eligibles do not qualify through Granite Advantage, however, because Granite Advantage generally excludes people who are already eligible for Medicare; dual eligibles instead qualify through the aged, blind, and disabled Medicaid category or a Medicare Savings Program. Because New Hampshire has expanded Medicaid, there is no ACA coverage gap here for adults under 65.
Common Reasons New Hampshire Dual Eligible Applications Get Denied
New Hampshire DHHS denies a meaningful share of dual eligible applications each year for a handful of recurring reasons.
- Countable income above the Medicare Savings Program or full Medicaid limit for the household size
- Countable resources above the $9,950 individual or $14,910 couple limit in 2026
- Missing or incomplete income and asset documentation
- Applying before enrolling in Medicare Part A or Part B, since dual eligible status requires active Medicare enrollment
- Failure to verify current New Hampshire residency
How to Appeal a Dual Eligible Denial in New Hampshire
New Hampshire residents who are denied Medicaid or Medicare Savings Program benefits can request a state fair hearing through the DHHS Administrative Appeals Unit. The denial notice lists the deadline, typically within 30 days of the notice date, and benefits can sometimes continue during the appeal if the request is filed before the effective date of the denial.
Filing an appeal costs nothing, and applicants can represent themselves or bring a family member, attorney, or advocate from New Hampshire Legal Assistance. Reapplying immediately is also an option if the denial was based on a specific missing document rather than income eligibility, since a new application with corrected paperwork can sometimes resolve the issue faster than a hearing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income limit for dual eligible in New Hampshire in 2026?
New Hampshire's Medicare Savings Program income limits in 2026 range from $1,350 a month for one person under the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) tier up to $1,816 a month under the Qualifying Individual (QI) tier. Full New Hampshire Medicaid for aged, blind, and disabled applicants uses a lower limit of about $1,008 a month for one person.
What counts as income for New Hampshire Medicaid and the Medicare Savings Programs?
New Hampshire counts Social Security, pensions, wages, and most other regular payments as income for Medicare Savings Program and Medicaid eligibility. A $20 monthly general income disregard is subtracted before comparing income to the limit. Medicare Savings Program income counting follows older Supplemental Security Income rules rather than the Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) rules used for younger adults.
What documents do I need to apply for dual eligible benefits in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire applicants need a Social Security number, Medicare card, proof of income such as a Social Security award letter or pay stubs, bank and investment statements showing resources, proof of New Hampshire residency, and proof of age or a disability determination.
What happens if I'm denied dual eligible benefits in New Hampshire?
A denied New Hampshire applicant can request a state fair hearing through the DHHS Administrative Appeals Unit, usually within 30 days of the denial notice. Reapplying with corrected income or asset documentation is often faster than waiting for a hearing when the denial was based on missing paperwork rather than income.
Can I work and still be dual eligible in New Hampshire?
Yes, within limits. New Hampshire counts wages toward the Medicare Savings Program and Medicaid income limits, so a person can work as long as countable income after the $20 disregard stays under the applicable 2026 threshold, from $1,350 a month for QMB up to $1,816 a month for QI.
Is New Hampshire a Medicaid expansion state?
Yes. New Hampshire expanded Medicaid in 2014 and now covers adults up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level through the Granite Advantage Health Care Program, reauthorized through December 31, 2030. Most dual eligibles qualify through the aged, blind, and disabled Medicaid category instead, because Granite Advantage generally excludes people already eligible for Medicare.
How long does the dual eligible application process take in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire DHHS aims to process complete Medicaid and Medicare Savings Program applications within 30 days. Applications missing income or resource documentation take longer because DHHS must request the missing items before finishing the eligibility determination. Applying online through NH EASY generally moves faster than a mailed paper application, since caseworkers can request missing documents electronically instead of by mail.
What is the difference between QMB, SLMB, and QI in New Hampshire?
Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) pays Medicare Part A and Part B premiums plus deductibles and coinsurance, up to $1,350 a month for one person in 2026. Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) and Qualifying Individual (QI) pay only the Part B premium, at higher income limits of $1,616 and $1,816 a month respectively.
