Transferring SNAP (Food Stamps) from Washington to New Hampshire
Plan for a close-and-reapply, not a transfer. Your Basic Food benefits end with the move; New Hampshire SNAP starts with a fresh New Hampshire application. File it right away, because the approval clock (up to 30 days) starts on your filing date.
Both states apply the same gross income limit (200% of the federal poverty level), so if you qualified in Washington, income alone should not disqualify you in New Hampshire.
Official New Hampshire SNAP agency: New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services ↗ (application page)
Your step-by-step checklist
Before you move
- 1
Tell Washington State Department of Social and Health Services you are moving out of state
Report your move via Washington Connection or DSHS at 1-877-501-2233 and ask to close your Basic Food case before applying in your new state — no SNAP in two states in the same month.
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services ↗
Moving week
- 2
Keep your EBT card — the balance still works
Benefits already on your EBT card remain yours and the card works at SNAP retailers in any state. Spend-down is not required before moving.
After you arrive
- 3
Apply with New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services right away
File the day you arrive if you can — approval can take up to 30 days. If your old state already issued SNAP for the month you move, your new benefits begin the following month; if not, the first month is prorated from your application date, not your arrival date. Stated processing: up to 30 days.
Online application ↗ - 4
Ask about expedited SNAP
If you have very low cash and resources after the move, federal rules require expedited service — benefits within 7 days.
Washington vs New Hampshire: the numbers that decide it
| Washington (old state) | New Hampshire (new state) | |
|---|---|---|
| Program name | Basic Food | New Hampshire SNAP |
| Agency | Washington State Department of Social and Health Services | New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services |
| Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility | Yes | Yes |
| Gross income limit | 200% of the federal poverty level | 200% of the federal poverty level |
Monthly income limits by household size: Washington vs New Hampshire
| Household size | Washington | New Hampshire |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $2,660 | $2,660 |
| 2 people | $3,607 | $3,607 |
| 3 people | $4,554 | $4,554 |
| 4 people | $5,500 | $5,500 |
| 5 people | $6,447 | $6,447 |
| 6 people | $7,394 | $7,394 |
SNAP gross limits for October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027, computed from each state's % of the 2026 HHS poverty guidelines the way USDA computes its tables. Each state's own chart controls. Full tables: Washington · New Hampshire · 2026 poverty guidelines.
Moving with more than one benefit?
The checklist generator merges Medicaid, SNAP, WIC, unemployment, and TANF into one ordered to-do list for this exact move.
Build the full Washington → New Hampshire checklistCommon questions
Will my EBT card from Washington work in New Hampshire?
Yes. EBT is interoperable nationwide, so any balance already issued spends normally at SNAP retailers in New Hampshire. The card keeps working until the balance is used, even after your Washington case closes.
Can I get SNAP in both states during the moving month?
No — receiving SNAP from two states in the same month is a program violation. Close the Washington case for the month you leave, then apply in New Hampshire. If Washington already issued your benefits for the month you move, New Hampshire cannot pay that month too, so your New Hampshire benefits begin the following month; if not, New Hampshire prorates your first month from the day you apply.
How fast can New Hampshire approve my new SNAP case?
Federal rules give New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services up to 30 days, or 7 days for expedited service if your household has very low cash and resources after the move. Stated timing: up to 30 days.
Where do I actually apply in New Hampshire?
Through New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (online application linked above). Official SNAP pages for both states are cited at the bottom of this page.
Related guides
- Moving back: New Hampshire to Washington SNAP
- SNAP in Washington: leaving or arriving
- SNAP in New Hampshire: leaving or arriving
- Moving with SNAP: every state
- Washington to Montana SNAP
- Washington to New Jersey SNAP
- Washington to Louisiana SNAP
- Washington to Michigan SNAP
Other benefits on the same move
- Medicaid: Washington to New Hampshire
- WIC: Washington to New Hampshire
- Unemployment: Washington to New Hampshire
- TANF: Washington to New Hampshire
Terms on this page: Federal poverty level (FPL) · Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility (BBCE) · Expedited SNAP · EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer)
Official sources
Every fact above was checked against these official pages. Last verified .
- DSHS Basic Food — accessed 2026-08-08
- USDA FNS BBCE state chart — accessed 2026-08-08
- USDA FNS SNAP State Directory — New Hampshire — accessed 2026-08-08