According to the NH Fiscal Policy Institute:” The total amount of property tax charged to residents totaled about $2,800 for every person in the state.” With tax rates climbing at an alarming rate, individuals may not know where to turn if behind in their property taxes. If  suffering from financial distress, according to the Department of Revenue Administration (DRA) website, taxpayers may be eligible to make installment payments under the Taxpayer Assistance program at Granite Tax Connect or contact the Taxpayer Services Division at (603) 230-5920.

Under RSA 198:57, and though having relatively limited financial benefit, taxpayers may qualify for “Moderate to Low-Income Homeowners Property Tax Relief.” To learn more about the program, read frequently asked questions on the Department’s website.
Recipients of SNAP or Medicaid or income at or below 135% of the 2024 Federal Poverty Guidelines may qualify for a free phone and a generous amount of free minutes per month through a federally funded program called Lifeline Support at 1-800-234-9473. Internet access is not required to receive a phone or minutes, and applications can be received by mail.

Having compassion means passing this information along to those possibly in need, and lending assistance with filling out and returning applications, if necessary. Income guidelines are found at Council on Aging: medicaidplanningassistance.org/federal-poverty-guidelines/

In addition, all persons in NH are ‘mandated reporters’ regarding vulnerable adults. According to DHHS’s website “The Adult Protection Law requires any person who has a reason to believe that a vulnerable adult has been subjected to abuse, neglect, exploitation, or self-neglect to make a report immediately to the Bureau of Elderly & Adult Services (BEAS) at 603 271-7014.” Reports are confidential and can be anonymous.