State guide
New Hampshire
Programs, dollars, and people that serve autism families in New Hampshire. Federal protections always apply on top of what you see here.
New Hampshire overview
New Hampshire's Bureau of Developmental Services within DHHS administers area agency contracts for developmental disabilities services — contact your regional area agency to begin the service planning process. NH has a strong provider network relative to its size. For early intervention, contact the Family Support Network. The Parent Information Center (PIC) is New Hampshire's PTI center. The Autism Society of New Hampshire, Crotched Mountain Rehabilitation Center, and Easter Seals NH provide family support and clinical services. NH Medicaid requires prior authorization for ABA therapy.
Verify program names, URLs, and eligibility on official .gov sites — these change.
⏰ Act now — Medicaid waiver waitlist
NH Developmental Disabilities Waiver (with the Acquired Brain Disorder waiver)
Typical wait: No waitlist reported
Call the Bureau of Developmental Services on 603-271-5034 and ask for your local Area Agency. Apply for NH Medicaid separately — an SSI approval does not enroll your child automatically here.
New Hampshire is a 209(b) state, so Medicaid must be applied for separately even after SSI approval.
Statewide resources
These four programs exist in every state and are the fastest entry points for most families.
Parent Training & Information (PTI)
Parent Information Center (PIC)(603) 224-7005
Federally funded — free help with IEPs, evaluations, and special ed rights.
Early Intervention (Birth to 3)
NH Family Support (Early Intervention)(603) 271-5122
Part C IDEA services for children under 3. Apply immediately after diagnosis.
Medicaid / HCBS Waiver
New Hampshire Medicaid HCBS Waiver (BDS)State waiver program for home and community-based services. Apply the day of diagnosis.
State Autism Organization
Autism Society of New HampshireState-level autism advocacy, family support, and community connection.
Insurance Coverage
Whether private insurance must cover autism treatment in New Hampshire.
New Hampshire requires insurance to cover autism treatment
RSA 417-E:2
- Ages:
- No age limit in the current text. New Hampshire previously capped ABA by age band; those limits were removed in September 2022 and do not appear in the statute now.
- Limits:
- None in the current text. The old $36,000 (ages 0-12) and $27,000 (ages 13-21) ABA limits are gone. If your plan documents still quote them, they are quoting a repealed provision.
Self-funded employer plans (ERISA) are typically exempt — ask your HR department which type of plan you have.
How to use it, and how to appeal a denial →Medicaid Waiver
Home and community-based services (HCBS) for autism families in New Hampshire.
NH Developmental Disabilities Waiver (with the Acquired Brain Disorder waiver)
NH Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Developmental Services, through 10 regional Area Agencies
New Hampshire residents with developmental disabilities, intellectual disabilities or autism, from birth with no upper age limit.
How autism qualifies
Autism is explicitly served, and the waiver includes specialty services for autistic people specifically rather than folding them silently into general developmental disability provision.
Age rules
From age 0 with no maximum age.
What it can pay for
- Service coordination
- Day services
- Residential habilitation and personal care
- Respite
- Supported employment
- Community support
- Crisis response
- Assistive technology support
- Environmental and vehicle modifications
- Participant-directed and managed services
- Specialty services for autistic people
How the waiting list is ordered
New Hampshire reports nobody waiting, which puts it among the best states in the country on access. The obstacle here is administrative rather than a queue, and it catches families out badly. New Hampshire is a 209(b) state: being approved for SSI does not automatically enroll your child in NH Medicaid the way it does in most states. You have to submit a separate Medicaid application to DHHS. Families who assume the SSI approval did the job can lose months believing they are covered when they are not — and Medicaid is the precondition for waiver services. Do that application first, then approach your Area Agency.
How to apply
Apply for NH Medicaid at nheasy.nh.gov or on 1-844-275-3447 — do this even if SSI has already been approved. Then call the Bureau of Developmental Services on 603-271-5034 and ask for your local Area Agency, which is the gateway to all the DD waivers.
Verified August 2026 against 3 official sources.
Medicaid Managed Care
How Medicaid pays for ABA therapy in New Hampshire.
New Hampshire Medicaid (Medicaid Care Management)
ABA covered: Under 21Plans in this state
- AmeriHealth Caritas New Hampshire
- NH Healthy Families
- WellSense Health Plan
New Hampshire covers ABA through its EPSDT children's benefit (He-W 546), and the ABA provider must submit a service authorization request. If a plan approves fewer hours than requested, it must issue a partial denial so you can appeal the hours that were cut. You can switch plans for any reason in your first 90 days and during annual open enrollment.
⚠️ Prior authorization is required before starting ABA services.
Checked against 2 official sources, September 2026. Plans change when states rebid contracts, so confirm with the state.
New Hampshire guides
Deeper guides where the facts are genuinely specific to New Hampshire.
Money & benefits
Education
Therapy & care
- NH Early Supports & Services (Part C EI)
- Institute on Disability — University of New Hampshire UCEDD
- Autism Society of New Hampshire