Where to File Your Claim in New Hampshire

You file for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) through the Social Security Administration, not through the state of New Hampshire. The state does not run the disability program itself. You have three ways to file: online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at a Social Security field office in your area.

New Hampshire has Social Security field offices in Manchester, Nashua, Concord, and Keene. You can find the exact address and hours for the office nearest you on the Social Security Administration website by entering your ZIP code. Walk-in hours vary by location, and some offices require you to call ahead for an appointment. Calling ahead is usually faster than walking in.

Filing online through ssa.gov is often the quickest route if you have a my Social Security account. You can start an process, save your work, and come back to it. The online form asks the same questions as the paper version but lets you move at your own pace and review your answers before you submit.

Key Takeaways

  • You file directly with the Social Security Administration, not with New Hampshire state government, using ssa.gov, 1-800-772-1213, or a local field office.
  • New Hampshire has field offices in Manchester, Nashua, Concord, and Keene; calling ahead for an appointment is faster than walking in.
  • You must have worked long enough and recently enough to have earned enough Social Security credits, or you must meet SSI income and asset limits if you have little work history.
  • The Social Security Administration will order medical records on your behalf once you file, so you do not need to collect them first.
  • Processing takes three to six months on average, and you will receive a decision letter by mail explaining whether you were approved or denied.

What You Need Before You File

Gather these documents before you start your process: your Social Security number, birth certificate, proof of citizenship or legal residency (passport, green card, or naturalization papers), and a list of all jobs you have held in the past 15 years with the dates you worked. You do not need to have the actual documents in hand when you file online or call — you can describe them and provide them later if the Social Security Administration asks — but having them ready speeds things up.

You will also need the names and addresses of doctors, hospitals, or clinics that have treated you for your condition. You do not need to collect medical records yourself. Once you file, the Social Security Administration will request them directly from your providers. However, if you have seen a provider outside New Hampshire or if you have records from many years ago, writing down those names and locations helps the agency find the right files.

If you are filing for SSI (because you have little or no work history), you will also need to know your current income and the value of things you own — bank accounts, vehicles, property — because SSI has strict income and asset limits. New Hampshire residents can own a home and one vehicle without it counting against the asset limit, but cash and savings above $2,000 (or $3,000 if you are married) will disqualify you.

SSDI Versus SSI: Which One You Might Get

SSDI is based on your own work history. You earn Social Security credits by working and paying payroll taxes. To may have access to, you generally need 40 credits (roughly 10 years of work), and at least 20 of those credits must have been earned in the 10 years before you became disabled. If you meet those requirements and the Social Security Administration determines you cannot work because of a medical condition expected to last at least 12 months or result in death, you will be approved for SSDI. The amount you receive is based on your earnings record.

SSI is a needs-based program for people with little or no work history, or for people whose SSDI payment is very low. You do not need work credits. Instead, you must have income below a certain level (in 2024, the federal limit is $943 per month for an individual, though New Hampshire may add a small state supplement) and assets below $2,000. If you are disabled and meet those income and asset limits, you may receive SSI. The payment is the same for everyone who qualifies, unless New Hampshire adds a state supplement.

You can receive both SSDI and SSI at the same time if your SSDI payment is very low. When you file, the Social Security Administration will determine which program you may have access to for based on your work history and current income. You do not choose between them; the agency decides based on your circumstances.

The Medical Evidence the Social Security Administration Needs

The Social Security Administration does not require you to have a specific diagnosis to be approved. Instead, it looks at what your condition prevents you from doing. The agency will review medical records from your doctors, test results, hospital visits, and mental health treatment to understand how your condition affects your ability to work.

If you have been treated by a doctor or mental health provider in New Hampshire, the Social Security Administration will contact them directly. If you have not seen a provider in several months or if your condition has changed, consider scheduling an appointment before you file. A recent medical record — from the past month or two — carries more weight than old records. You do not need to pay for this appointment out of pocket; if you cannot afford it, many community health centers in New Hampshire offer sliding-scale fees based on income.

If you do not have a regular doctor, the Social Security Administration may schedule you for a consultative examination (CE) with a doctor it pays to evaluate you. This is free to you. The doctor will perform a basic exam and write a report for the Social Security Administration. You will receive notice of the appointment by mail, and you must attend or your case may be denied.

What Happens After You File

Once you submit your process, the Social Security Administration sends it to the Disability information Services (DDS) office in New Hampshire. This office, run by the state under contract with the federal government, reviews your medical evidence and decides whether you meet the Social Security Administration's definition of disability. The process usually takes 60 to 90 days, though complex cases can take longer.

You will receive a decision letter by mail. If you are approved, the letter will tell you when your benefits begin and how much you will receive each month. If you are denied, the letter will explain why and tell you how to appeal. Most people are denied on their first process, and many are approved on appeal. You have 60 days from the date on the denial letter to file an appeal.

If you are approved for SSDI, you will become may be able to access for Medicare after you have been receiving benefits for 24 months. If you are approved for SSI, you may be may be able to access for Medicaid right away; New Hampshire's Medicaid program (called New Hampshire Health Plan) covers people receiving SSI. You do not need to explore separately for Medicaid — the Social Security Administration will refer you, and New Hampshire will contact you.

If Your Claim Is Denied

A denial does not mean you cannot appeal. You have the right to request reconsideration, which means a different examiner at the Disability information Services office will review your case. You have 60 days from the date on your denial letter to request reconsideration. Include any new medical evidence you have gathered since you first filed.

If reconsideration is also denied, you can request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). This is a formal hearing where you can present evidence and testify about how your condition affects your ability to work. You can bring a representative — a lawyer, a non-lawyer advocate, or a family member — to the hearing. Many people are approved at the hearing stage. The hearing usually takes place within 12 to 18 months of your request, though wait times vary.

If you need help with an appeal, you can contact a disability advocate or lawyer. Many work on contingency, meaning they take a percentage of your back pay (usually 25 percent) only if you win. New Hampshire has several organizations that offer free or low-cost representation; the Social Security Administration's website lists representatives in your area.

Work Incentives and What Happens If You Earn Money

If you are approved for SSDI, you can work and still receive benefits, up to a limit. The Social Security Administration has a program called the Trial Work Period that lets you test your ability to work without losing benefits. During the Trial Work Period, you can earn any amount and keep your full SSDI payment. The Trial Work Period lasts nine months (not necessarily consecutive) within a rolling 60-month window.

After the Trial Work Period ends, you enter the Extended Period of may be able to access. During this period, you can work and earn up to a certain amount ($1,550 per month in 2024, though this amount changes yearly) without losing your benefits. If you earn more than that amount in any month, your benefits stop for that month, but you do not lose your may be able to access. Once your earnings drop back below the limit, your benefits resume.

If you are receiving SSI, the rules are stricter. SSI counts your earnings against your income limit. You can earn $65 per month plus half of anything above that without losing benefits, but earnings above that threshold reduce your SSI payment dollar for dollar. Work incentives exist for SSI recipients too — such as the Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) — but they require advance planning with the Social Security Administration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file for disability in New Hampshire if I just moved here?

Yes. You file with the Social Security Administration, which is federal, not state-based. Where you live does not matter. You can file online, by phone, or at any Social Security field office in the country. If you recently moved to New Hampshire, you can use a field office here or the one you used before — it makes no difference to your claim.

How long does it take to get a decision?

The Disability information Services office in New Hampshire typically makes a decision within 60 to 90 days of receiving your process. Complex cases with extensive medical history or multiple conditions can take longer. You will receive your decision by mail, not by phone or email.

What if I am still working but cannot work full-time?

You can file for SSDI even if you are currently working, as long as your earnings are below the substantial gainful activity limit (in 2024, $1,550 per month for non-blind individuals). If you are earning more than that, you may still file, but the Social Security Administration will likely deny your claim unless your condition is very severe.

Do I need a lawyer to file?

No. You can file on your own without paying anyone. However, if your claim is denied and you appeal to a hearing, many people find representation helpful. You only pay a representative if you win, and the fee is capped at 25 percent of your back pay.

Will filing for disability affect my other benefits?

Filing for SSDI does not affect other benefits you may receive. Filing for SSI may affect means-tested programs like SNAP or housing information because SSI counts as income. Contact your local DHHS office or 211 to understand how SSI might affect your specific situation.