Start here: ServiceLink Aging & Disability Resource Center — (603) 334-6594 or 1-866-634-9412
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A single free call connects Portsmouth-area seniors and family caregivers to benefits counseling, in-home care, nutrition programs, transportation, and referrals across every category in this guide.
Federal Nutrition: How to apply for SNAP and CSFP in state
Two federal programs put food and grocery dollars directly in seniors' hands: SNAP (food benefits you can spend at grocery stores) and CSFP (a free monthly box of shelf-stable foods for adults 60+). Both are administered by the State of New Hampshire and both are worth applying for even if you're unsure you'll qualify — income limits are higher than most people expect, and New Hampshire has one of the lowest SNAP participation rates among eligible seniors in the country.
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)
SNAP provides a monthly EBT card seniors use like a debit card for groceries. New Hampshire residents 60 and older, including those on a fixed income or Social Security, can qualify — households with an elderly (60+) or disabled member get a higher gross-income limit and can deduct medical expenses over $35/month, which often increases the benefit amount.
- Apply online: Create an account and apply through the NH EASY Gateway to Services portal NHEasy.nh.gov ↗
- Apply by phone or ask questions: NH DHHS Central Customer Service Center — 1-844-ASK-DHHS (1-844-275-3447) dhhs.nh.gov ↗
- Apply by mail or in person: Print an application from NH Easy or pick one up at the Portsmouth-area DHHS District Office; a paper application can also be requested by phone
- What you'll need: Photo ID, Social Security numbers for household members, proof of income (Social Security/pension award letters), proof of residency, and housing/utility costs
- Interview: A DHHS caseworker reviews the application and conducts an interview (often by phone) before approving benefits
- Timeline: Standard applications are decided within 30 calendar days; households meeting immediate-need criteria can qualify for expedited service within 7 calendar days
- Help applying: ServiceLink and the NH Food Bank both offer free, no-obligation help completing a SNAP application nhfoodbank.org ↗
SNAP income and asset limits are adjusted annually — a benefits counselor at ServiceLink can give you the current figures and estimate what you'd receive before you apply.
CSFP (Commodity Supplemental Food Program)
CSFP is a separate USDA program specifically for adults 60 and older (no SNAP application required, though you can receive both). Once a month, participants pick up a free box of foods such as canned fruit and vegetables, cereal, pasta, canned meat or fish, cheese, and juice, plus fresh produce coupons in summer.
- Eligibility: Age 60+ and income at or below 150% of the federal poverty level (roughly $1,883/month for a single person, adjusted each spring)
- State contact to find your local site: New Hampshire DHHS Bureau of Elderly & Adult Services — 1-800-942-4321 dhhs.nh.gov ↗
- Seacoast-area agency: Community Action Partnership of Strafford & Rockingham Counties (CAPHR) — ask which local pantry or senior meal site serves as the Portsmouth-area CSFP pickup point caphr.org ↗
- Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program: A related summer benefit — coupons for fresh, local produce at farmers markets — distributed alongside CSFP each July and August
CSFP has limited funding and can have a waiting list in some areas — ServiceLink (866-634-9412) can also help confirm current availability and the nearest distribution site.
State and Local Nutrition: Local meals on wheels, food pantries, community meals, etc.
Meals on Wheels & Senior Dining
Rockingham Nutrition & Meals on Wheels Program (RNMOW) runs both congregate dining and home-delivered meals for the Portsmouth area, based right out of the Portsmouth Senior Activity Center.
- Rockingham Nutrition & Meals on Wheels — Portsmouth site: Portsmouth Senior Activity Center, 125 Cottage St., Portsmouth, NH 03801 — (603) 766-4448 — portsmouthareamealsonwheels@rnmow.org rockinghammealsonwheels.org ↗
- Congregate dining: weekday luncheons at the Senior Activity Center for adults 60+ and a spouse of any age — call ahead to reserve your seat
- Home-delivered meals: for homebound seniors unable to prepare their own meals — a coordinator will do a short intake to set up delivery
- Also serves Greenland, New Castle, Newington, and Rye
There is no required fee for either program, though a suggested voluntary donation helps sustain it — no senior is turned away for inability to contribute.
Food Pantries in Portsmouth
Free groceries and pantry staples — no SNAP enrollment required. Hours can change seasonally, so call before visiting.
- Gather — Food Pantry & Mobile Markets: 124 Heritage Ave., Unit 3, Portsmouth, NH 03801 — (603) 436-0641 — Mon–Thu, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; Fri, 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. — pantry market plus mobile markets and a Fresh Foods Bus that reach seniors and families across the Seacoast gathernh.org ↗
- Operation Blessing Food Pantry: 600A Lafayette Rd., Portsmouth, NH 03801 — (603) 430-8561 — Wed–Fri, 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and 1:00–4:00 p.m.; Sat, 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. — fresh produce, pantry staples, and household essentials
- Salvation Army Food Pantry & Soup Kitchen: 272 Rockland St., Portsmouth, NH 03801 — (603) 436-2606 — call ahead for an appointment
- City of Portsmouth Welfare Department: 1 Junkins Ave., Portsmouth, NH 03801 — (603) 610-7267 — Welfare@portsmouthnh.gov — food vouchers for eligible residents facing a short-term crisis portsmouthnh.gov ↗
Community Meal Programs
- Seacoast Community Lunch: Middle Street Baptist Church, 18 Court St., Portsmouth — Wednesdays, 12:00–1:00 p.m. — free lunch open to all
- Common Table at St. John's Episcopal Church: 100 Chapel St., Portsmouth, NH 03801 — (603) 436-8283 — free breakfast Mondays 6:30–8:30 a.m.; free lunch Thursdays 12:00–1:00 p.m.
- Recovery Church Meal Program: First United Methodist Church, 129 Miller Ave., Portsmouth — (603) 498-3348 — Wednesdays, 6:00–7:00 p.m.
2-1-1 NH (dial 2-1-1) can confirm same-day food pantry and community-meal hours near you and connect you to SNAP and other benefits.
Elder Care: Caregiver assistance, local area on aging, etc.
New Hampshire's aging-services system runs through ServiceLink, the state's Aging and Disability Resource Center network. The Rockingham County ServiceLink office — based in Portsmouth — is the single entry point for benefits counseling, in-home care referrals, and caregiver support across the Seacoast.
ServiceLink Aging & Disability Resource Center — Rockingham County
- Address: 270 West Rd., Unit 1A, Portsmouth, NH 03801
- Phone: (603) 334-6594, or the statewide line 1-866-634-9412
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; other meetings available by appointment
- What it does: Free, unbiased information and options counseling on long-term care, Medicare, Medicaid, in-home services, adult day programs, and more for seniors and adults with disabilities servicelink.nh.gov ↗
Programs coordinated through ServiceLink and the Bureau of Elderly & Adult Services include:
- Options counseling and long-term care planning
- Family Caregiver Support Program — counseling, support groups, training, respite care, and supplemental services (chore help, assistive equipment, home modifications, transportation) for unpaid family caregivers
- Medicare counseling (State Health Insurance Assistance Program)
- Choices for Independence — the state's Medicaid home- and community-based care waiver for eligible seniors who would otherwise need nursing-home care
- Long-Term Care Ombudsman referrals — advocacy for residents of nursing and assisted-living facilities
Family Caregiver Support Program
- Access: Call ServiceLink at (603) 334-6594 or 1-866-634-9412 to be connected to a caregiver specialist dhhs.nh.gov ↗
- Services: Individual counseling, support groups, caregiver skills training, temporary respite care, and help accessing chore assistance, assistive equipment, and home modifications
Other Elder Care Contacts
- 2-1-1 NH: Statewide referral line for benefits, housing, and general assistance — dial 2-1-1 or 1-866-444-4211 211nh.org ↗
- NH Long-Term Care Ombudsman (OLTC): Advocacy for residents of nursing homes, residential care, and assisted-living facilities — reachable through ServiceLink or DHHS dhhs.nh.gov ↗
- NH Adult Protection (elder abuse/neglect concerns): (603) 271-7014, or toll-free within NH 1-800-949-0470 (business hours); call 911 for emergencies dhhs.nh.gov ↗
Transportation: Senior transportation
COAST (Cooperative Alliance for Seacoast Transportation) runs Portsmouth's fixed-route buses at a discounted senior fare, ADA paratransit for riders who can't use the regular bus, and — together with the City of Portsmouth — a dedicated Portsmouth Senior Transportation program.
Portsmouth Senior Transportation
A door-to-door van service specifically for Portsmouth seniors, coordinated by the Senior Activity Center and operated with COAST.
- Booking: Call TripLink, the regional call center, at (603) 834-6010, or email triplink@communityrides.org coastbus.org/pst ↗
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 6:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
- Eligibility: TripLink's Common Application evaluates age, residency, and disability status to match you with this and other seacoast transportation options
- More information: Portsmouth Senior Activity Center — (603) 610-4433 — 125 Cottage St., Portsmouth
COAST — Fixed-Route Bus
- Standard fare: $2.00 cash per ride
- Senior/reduced fare: $1.00 for riders 65+, Medicare cardholders, and people with disabilities — show a valid photo ID (65+) or Medicare card, COAST Half-Fare Card, or ADA Paratransit Card coastbus.org ↗
- Half-Fare Card application: Download and mail the Half Fare Application to COAST, 42 Sumner Dr., Dover, NH 03820, Attn: Half Fare
- Website & trip planning: https://coastbus.org/ Website ↗
COAST ADA Complementary Paratransit
Origin-to-destination (curb-to-curb, with assistance to the door on request) shared-ride service for riders whose disability prevents them from using the fixed-route bus, within 3/4 mile of a COAST route.
- Eligibility & application: Apply through the TripLink Common Application — (603) 834-6010 — requires a health-care professional's functional evaluation and may include an in-person interview or assessment; decisions are mailed within 21 days coastbus.org ↗
- Eligibility questions: COAST Transit Accessibility Specialist — (603) 743-5777, ext. 107
- Fares: Double the equivalent fixed-route fare; shared-ride, reservation required in advance (no same-day changes)
Other Transportation Help
- TripLink (regional mobility call center): (603) 834-6010 — triplink@communityrides.org — connects seniors across 38 seacoast towns to whichever nonprofit or public transportation option best fits their needs communityrides.org ↗
- Non-emergency medical transportation (Medicaid): If you have NH Medicaid, your managed care plan covers rides to medical appointments — call the member services number on your Medicaid card, or ask ServiceLink for a referral
- Healthcare Assistance:
- Rx Assistance:
- Medicare Rx Assistance:
- Insulin Assistance:
- EyeCare America: eligible patients can receive a free eye exam plus a one year follow up for any condition diagnosed in the initial exam.
- National Institute of Health: provides information for several organizations that can assist with eye exams, eyeglasses, and eye-related prescriptions.
- National Ramp: provides information and resources for obtaining a ramp.
- Paying for Senior Care: provides information for state assistance programs for Durable Medical Equipment.
- Veterans Crisis Hotline: 1-800-273-8255 (Veterans- press 1)
- Adult Maltreatment Hotline: 800-482-8049
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
- Hours: 24/7. Languages: English, Spanish, and 200+ through interpretation service
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration or SAMHSA's National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
- Crisis Services & Suicide Prevention: Dial 988
- Find a therapist near you: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists?_gl=1*x3iy7y*_up*MQ..*_gs*MQ..&gclid=CjwKCAjw48TUBhBREiwAK0GnQZuO0hNamNqZlvJkmJHaXgRIPKNmtZCT3jHqxT85b1kkkoj9UyDHNRoC5AkQAvD_BwE&gbraid=0AAAAAD_gfuxg6_pZY8xE_bJbsGAHGufk2
Housing: Rental assistance, home cleaning and repair assistance, utility assistance, etc.
Rental Assistance
- Portsmouth Housing Authority: 245 Middle St., Portsmouth, NH 03801 — (603) 436-4310 porthousing.org ↗
- Administers Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) and public housing throughout Portsmouth
- Connors Cottage — a 20-unit high-rise for seniors 62+ at 5 Junkins Ave.
- Feaster Apartments — another Portsmouth Housing senior/disabled community
- Waitlists open periodically rather than staying open year-round — call or check the website for current status
- New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority: Statewide Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program and affordable-housing listings — a second waitlist option beyond the local housing authority nhhfa.org ↗
- Emergency rent help: 2-1-1 NH can screen for whichever local rental-assistance fund (including NH's Emergency Housing Assistance) is currently accepting applications — dial 2-1-1 211nh.org ↗
Utility Assistance
The Fuel Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps pay heating bills, and separate electric/gas discount-rate programs lower monthly utility costs year-round for income-qualified seniors.
- Fuel Assistance Program (LIHEAP) — Portsmouth area office: Community Action Partnership of Strafford & Rockingham Counties (CAPHR) — 4 Cutts St., Suite 1A, Portsmouth, NH 03801 — (603) 436-3896 or toll-free 1-800-639-3896 — Mon–Fri, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. caphr.org ↗
- What you'll need: Proof of income, Social Security cards for the household, a recent utility/heating bill, and a valid ID; benefits ($188–$2,500) do not need to be repaid
- Electric Assistance Program: A separate, ongoing discount (roughly 5%–86% off your bill depending on income and household size) for customers of Eversource, Unitil, Liberty, or NH Electric Co-op — apply through CAPHR energy.nh.gov ↗
- Eversource Discount Rate / payment assistance: Ask about Eversource's income-based discount rate and payment plans if Eversource is your electric provider eversource.com ↗
Home Repair & Weatherization
- NH Weatherization Assistance Program: Free home weatherization (insulation, air sealing, furnace safety checks) for income-eligible households — administered through CAPHR for the Portsmouth area caphr.org ↗
- Southeast NH Habitat for Humanity — Community Toolbox "Fix-It" Program: Free safety, health, and accessibility repairs — wheelchair ramps, grab bars, handrails, storm windows, air sealing — for income-eligible homeowners, including many seniors; referral required from an approved local agency such as ServiceLink or the Welfare Department — (603) 433-5555, SENHCTB@senhhabitat.org senhhabitat.org ↗
- Home cleaning / chore assistance: Ask ServiceLink (603-334-6594) about Homemaker services and the Family Caregiver Support Program's chore-assistance benefit for eligible seniors
The Seacoast Village Project — a volunteer neighbor-helping-neighbor network — also connects Portsmouth-area seniors to help with small home tasks and rides; ask ServiceLink for a current contact.
Enrichment: Senior centers, community activities, etc.
The Portsmouth Senior Activity Center, run by the City's Recreation Department, is the hub for daytime activities, classes, and social programs for Portsmouth-area seniors.
Portsmouth Senior Activity Center
- Address / phone: 125 Cottage St., Portsmouth, NH 03801 — (603) 610-4433 portsmouthnh.gov ↗
- Contact: Nicole Finitsis, Senior Services Supervisor — nmfinitsis@portsmouthnh.gov
- Weekly ongoing programs — exercise classes, cards and games, arts and crafts, and social clubs (see the center's Ongoing Weekly Programs schedule)
- Special trips, speakers, and seasonal events published in the Senior Newsletter
- Home to Rockingham Nutrition & Meals on Wheels congregate dining (Section 2) and the Portsmouth Senior Transportation program (Section 4)
Call or email to be added to the center's newsletter list and get the current month's full activity calendar.
Other Enrichment Options
- Portsmouth Public Library: 175 Parrott Ave., Portsmouth, NH 03801 — free classes, technology help sessions, and book clubs open to seniors portsmouthlibrary.org ↗
- Seacoast Village Project: A member-supported neighbor network offering social events, educational programs, and volunteer assistance that helps Portsmouth-area seniors stay active and connected seacoastvillageproject.org ↗
- Faith communities across Portsmouth (including several of the meal-program hosts in Section 2) often run their own senior fellowship groups and outings
- AARP New Hampshire may offer additional classes or health/wellness programming for older adults — ServiceLink can help with a referral
Quick-Reference Directory
Every organization in this guide, in one place — call the first number when in doubt, or tap the link to open the website.
|
Organization |
Phone |
Address / Coverage |
Website |
|
ServiceLink ADRC — Rockingham County (start here) |
(603) 334-6594 |
270 West Rd. Unit 1A, Portsmouth, NH 03801 |
|
|
2-1-1 NH |
2-1-1 |
Statewide referral line |
|
|
NH EASY (SNAP online) |
1-844-275-3447 |
Online application portal |
|
|
CSFP / Bureau of Elderly & Adult Services |
1-800-942-4321 |
Statewide — call to find local CSFP site |
|
|
Rockingham Nutrition & Meals on Wheels |
(603) 766-4448 |
125 Cottage St., Portsmouth, NH 03801 |
|
|
Gather — Food Pantry & Mobile Markets |
(603) 436-0641 |
124 Heritage Ave. Unit 3, Portsmouth, NH 03801 |
|
|
CAPHR — Fuel Assistance & Weatherization |
(603) 436-3896 |
4 Cutts St. Suite 1A, Portsmouth, NH 03801 |
|
|
COAST / TripLink (bus & paratransit) |
(603) 834-6010 |
Serves Portsmouth and the Seacoast |
|
|
Portsmouth Housing Authority |
(603) 436-4310 |
245 Middle St., Portsmouth, NH 03801 |
|
|
Portsmouth Senior Activity Center |
(603) 610-4433 |
125 Cottage St., Portsmouth, NH 03801 |
|
|
Southeast NH Habitat — Community Toolbox Fix-It |
(603) 433-5555 |
Serves Portsmouth and the Seacoast |
|
|
NH Adult Protection (elder abuse hotline) |
1-800-949-0470 |
Statewide |
This guide was compiled in September 2026 from public sources and organization websites. Programs, hours, funding, and eligibility rules change — please call ahead to confirm before a visit or application, especially for waitlisted programs like Section 8 housing and CSFP.