Help paying your electric bill in New Hampshire
New Hampshire got $33.3 million in the HHS table, about $61 for each of its 551,186 households. Income limit 60% of state median income; public line 603-271-3670. Heating help reached 28,356 households in FY2024.
Who to call in New Hampshire
- New Hampshire LIHEAP public line603-271-3670
- New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission603-271-2431 · 800-852-3793 · puc.nh.gov (links checked 2026-10-02)
Shutoff rules and moratoria in New Hampshire
New Hampshire: cold weather by dates; hot weather by none listed; health or age needs yes.
| Protection | New Hampshire |
|---|---|
| Colder months, by date | November 15 - March 31 During this time period PUC approval is needed to shut off elderly age 65 or older and customers with known financial hardship. |
| Health or age needs | Written certification from a doctor prevents shutoff as long as customer enters into a payment plan, applies for 60 days and can be renewed indefinitely. |
Clearinghouse, April 2026; cites Winter Disconnection Rules; N.H. Code 432.14 - Disconnection of Service.
Rule text read, 2 October 2026: N.H. Code Admin. R. Puc 1201.02, 1202 (definitions), 1203.07, 1203.11, 1204.01-1204.06, 1205.01-1205.02 (Chapter Puc 1200). In New Hampshire a disconnection notice must be postmarked 14 days ahead. From Nov 15 to Mar 31 the utility needs Public Utilities Commission approval to cut off customers 65 or older, and must also reach an adult by phone or in person. A medical certificate with a payment arrangement protects a household for 90 days to a year, renewable. Quote: “utilities shall seek commission approval before disconnecting the service of residential customers known to be 65 years or older”. Source: text of the rule (Wayback of state official (NH General Court administrative rules page); sections also read on Cornell LII).
| Point | New Hampshire: N.H. Code Admin. R. Puc 1201.02, 1202 (definitions), 1203.07, 1203.11, 1204.01-1204.06, 1205.01-1205.02 (Chapter Puc 1200) |
|---|---|
| Winter / cold | Winter period Nov 15 through Mar 31 (Puc 1202). Disconnection notice only after arrears exceed $225 (electric non-heating) or $450 (electric and gas heating) (1204.03(a)); utility must seek commission approval to disconnect residential customers known to be 65+; no disconnection for unpaid deposit; commission will not approve disconnection of financial-hardship customers who made good-faith payments (1204.05(d)). No temperature trigger. |
| Who is protected | Puc 1205.02: medical emergency certification (physician, APRN, PA or mental health practitioner) plus a payment arrangement protects the account; valid 90 days to 1 year, unlimited renewals; oral notice protects if written certification follows within 15 calendar days. |
| Notice | Puc 1203.11(b): written notice postmarked 14 calendar days before disconnection, with medical emergency statement. Winter (1204.05): also in-person or phone notice to an adult 2-8 business days before, otherwise commission approval needed. Exceptions for fraud, abandonment and danger (1203.11(c)). |
| Payment plan | Puc 1203.07: utility shall keep serving a residential customer who cannot pay in full if they pay a reasonable portion, then reasonable installments, and current bills. Winter (1204.04): hardship customers 12 months, or winter period at 10% of balance; non-hardship equal installments over winter plus 6 months. |
| Who the rule covers | Puc 1201.02: any public utility providing electric, gas, sewer or water service in NH, excluding limited electrical energy producers; rural electric cooperatives with a certificate of deregulation are subject only to Puc 1203.07, 1203.11, 1203.12, 1203.16, 1204.01-1204.05 and 1205. |
| Complaints | Commission consumer division; disconnection notices must give its toll-free number (1203.11(b)(2)j). Number itself not printed in the text read. |
Not found in the text we read: heat; verify with the commission. Puc 1203.12, 1203.16, 1205.03-1205.06, RSA statutes and tariffs not read; rule text dated through source note eff 6-9-20, later amendments not checked.
Paraphrase, not legal advice. Rules change; see the shutoff rules guide.
LIHEAP in New Hampshire: money, limits, people helped
| Measure | New Hampshire | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Funds FY2026 | $33,348,323 = $28,770,312 + $1,117,380 IIJA + $3,460,631 | FY26 table |
| Income limit | 60% State Median Income | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
| Benefits FY2026 | Heating: $100 minimum, $2,177 maximum Winter Crisis: $2,177 Winter maximum Weatherization: $20,000 maximum | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
| Helped FY2024 | Heating: 28,356 Winter Crisis: 1,068 Weatherization: 335 | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
| Program dates | Heating: Year-round Winter Crisis: December 1 - April 30 Weatherization: Year-round | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
CSV
CSVNew Hampshire in numbers
- New Hampshire ranks 6th of 51 on FY26 LIHEAP dollars per household ($61), 51st on households below the poverty line (7.8%) and 17th on low-income energy burden (9.8%).
- Per household below the poverty line (42,771 of them) the FY26 funds come to $780, rank 2nd of 51: 41% of a typical year's electricity ($1,883). (even split, not a payment amount)
- 24,425 households got help in FY2022 against 143,726 at or below 60% of state median income in the 2022 LEAD file: about 17% (mixed years).
- Average heating benefit FY2022: $1,342, 71% of that year.
- Heating season: Year-round. Counted FY2024: heating, winter crisis, weatherization.
- Neighbours: FY26 dollars per household run from $59 (Massachusetts) to $86 (Vermont); low-income burden from 8.5% (Massachusetts) to 13.1% (Vermont). New Hampshire: $61 and 9.8%.
Where New Hampshire's low-income bills bite hardest
- Highest burden: Carroll County 11.3% (7,182 households); Grafton County 11.2% (11,570 households); Rockingham County 10.9% (24,062 households); Sullivan County 10.7% (6,064 households).
- Most low-income households: Hillsborough County 39,880 (8.3%); Rockingham County 24,062 (10.9%); Merrimack County 16,417 (9.4%).
10 counties.
Am I likely eligible in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire sets its limit at 60% of state median income; no estimate here. Median household income is $95,628.
How heavy is the energy bill in New Hampshire?
9.8% of income in low-income households, 3.3% overall. Ranking, New Hampshire prices.
| Group | Count | New Hampshire detail | Standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 60% of median income | 143,726 households | 9.8% of income; $2,419 a year on $24,759 | rank 17 of 51 |
| All households | 545,116 households | 3.3%; $3,604 on $108,713 | rank 3 of 51 |
| Below poverty line | 42,771 households | 7.8% of 551,186 | U.S. 12.5%; rank 51 of 51 |
| Home price 2025 | 24.56 ¢/kWh | bill $157 a month at 639 kWh | U.S. 17.30 ¢, $152 |
CSV
CSVUtility and state bill programs in New Hampshire
- Electrical Assistance Program(EAP) EAP is a program for customers of Eversource, Liberty Utilities, New Hampshire Electric Cooperative, and Unitil Energy Systems. If you qualify, discounts ranging from 5% to 86% on the first 750 kWh of residential electric service...
Excerpts, section of 20 Apr 2026. Utilities: Eversource, Liberty Utilities, New Hampshire Electric Co-op, Unitil.
New Hampshire on the map
Next to New Hampshire
Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont. Most FY26 funds per household: Vermont, $86. New Hampshire: $61. All 51.
5 steps if you get a shutoff notice in New Hampshire
- Note the notice date.
- Call the utility (New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission sets rules).
- Call 603-271-3670 or 211.
- Ask about dates-based or health protection.
- Unresolved: New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission, 603-271-2431.
Sources
Linked above; list on the hub.
Last verified: 2 October 2026. Not legal advice.
Questions
What income limit does New Hampshire use for LIHEAP?
60% of state median income; median household income $95,628; FY2022 heating standard 283% for four.
How do I apply for LIHEAP in New Hampshire?
Call 603-271-3670.
Can New Hampshire utilities cut power in winter or summer?
dates for cold; none listed for heat.
How big is the energy burden in New Hampshire?
9.8% of income for low-income households, 3.3% for all; $2,419 a year for the first group.
How many New Hampshire households got energy help?
24,425 in FY2022, 28,356 heating in FY2024, average heating benefit $1,342.
Is LIHEAP money enough for a New Hampshire bill?
$780 per poor household, 41% of $1,883.
How much LIHEAP money does New Hampshire get?
$33.3 million in FY2026, $61 per household, rank 6 of 51.