New Hampshire Veterans Home Admission Requirements: Complete Eligibility Guide
The New Hampshire Veterans Home (NHVH) in Tilton provides nursing care, assisted living, dementia care, and other services for veterans who meet specific eligibility criteria. To qualify for admission, you must have served on active duty or in reserve components, received an honorable discharge, and been a New Hampshire resident for at least one year immediately preceding application—unless you qualify for a waiver if your DD214 shows a New Hampshire home of record . Financial eligibility requires total assets under $275,000, with a 12-month lookback period for asset transfers .
Quick Facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Benefit | Long-term care services including nursing, assisted living, dementia care, and domiciliary care at the New Hampshire Veterans Home in Tilton |
| Eligibility | Active duty or reserve/National Guard service, honorable discharge, 1+ year NH residency (waivers available) |
| Application | Complete admission packet with financial affidavit, medical certification, and supporting documents |
| Processing Time | Varies; requires medical eligibility determination and financial review |
| Official Agency | New Hampshire Veterans Home (NHVH), Board of Managers |
| Required Forms | NHVH Admission Application (pages 1-9), VA Form 10-10SH, financial affidavit, release forms |
| Updated For | Current through 2025-2026 |
Eligibility Requirements for NH Veterans Home Admission
The New Hampshire Veterans Home has specific eligibility criteria established by state law and administrative rules. All applicants must meet every requirement to be considered for admission .
Military Service Requirements
To qualify for admission to the NHVH, you must meet one of these service requirements:
Active duty service in the U.S. Armed Forces as defined by 38 U.S.C. section 101
Reserve unit service
New Hampshire Army or Air National Guard service
The home provides care for veterans who have served in any branch of the U.S. military, including those who served in reserve components or the National Guard.
Discharge Status
You must have received an honorable discharge from military service . Veterans with other discharge characterizations are not eligible for admission to the NHVH.
New Hampshire Residency Requirement
The standard residency requirement is:
Legal residency in New Hampshire for at least one year immediately preceding the date of application
Residency Waivers
The one-year residency requirement is automatically waived for two categories of veterans :
Home of record waiver: Veterans whose DD214 certificate or other admission document shows a New Hampshire address as their home of record upon discharge from active duty
Medical discharge waiver: Active duty veterans who have a New Hampshire address as their home of record and are being discharged directly from a medical facility
Medical Eligibility
Veterans May Qualify for Extra Benefits
Check available financial assistance, healthcare programs and other opportunities that may apply to you.
Check EligibilityApplicants must meet medical eligibility standards that include:
A demonstrated need for care or supervision that does not exceed the capabilities of the home’s services and residential accommodations
Satisfaction of the medical eligibility standard set forth in NH Code of Administrative Rules Ve-H 303
The NHVH provides multiple levels of care including nursing care, assisted living, domiciliary care, day care, dementia care, chemical dependency services, and psychiatric services .
Financial Eligibility: Income and Asset Limits
Financial eligibility is a critical component of the NHVH admission process. The home has specific asset limits and income requirements that applicants must meet.
Asset Limit
The New Hampshire Veterans Home has a strict asset cap for admission:
Total assets must be less than $275,000 to be eligible for admission
This asset cap is set by the State of New Hampshire and applies to all applicants. The home requires a 12-month lookback period for all assets, meaning financial records for the year preceding application are reviewed .
Asset Exclusions
Not all assets count toward the $275,000 limit:
The applicant’s home is not counted as an accountable asset if the spouse or civil union partner resides in the home, or if legal documents demonstrate other ownership
Income Calculation for Room and Board
Once admitted, your monthly cost is calculated based on your asset level:
| Asset Level | Payment Structure |
|---|---|
| Assets $30,000 – $275,000 | Self-pay at $180 per day (subject to annual change) until assets spend down to under $30,000 |
| Assets under $30,000 | Monthly cost = (Total monthly income – $100 exemption) × 90% |
The 10% difference from income is for personal needs and expenses not covered by the home .
What Counts as Income
Monthly income includes all income received from federal, state, or private sources, including but not limited to :
Retirement income
Interest income
Annuities
VA pension payments
Other income sources
Spend-Down Provisions
Before calculating assets for eligibility, applicants are permitted to “spend down” assets on :
Anticipated funeral expenses
One-time clothing purchase needed by the applicant
Outstanding medical bills
Costs of stay in another long-term care facility pending NHVH admission
Major repairs to the applicant’s home if the spouse will continue to occupy it
Spousal Protections
The NHVH includes protections to ensure the resident’s spouse does not suffer financial hardship as a result of the resident’s payment obligations .
Required Documents for NHVH Application
The NHVH admission application requires extensive documentation. The application packet includes multiple pages requesting personal, military, medical, and financial information .
Application Packet Components
The admission application consists of :
| Page | Content |
|---|---|
| Page 1 | Personal, military service, and medical/insurance information |
| Page 1-A | Legal and contact information, guardianship status, spouse/contact person info |
| Page 2 | Final requests and arrangements in case of demise |
| Page 3A | Financial affidavit with assets, income, long-term care insurance |
| Page 4 | NH Veterans Home agreement form with witnessed signature |
| Page 5A | VA Form 10-10SH (State Home Program Application for Veteran Care Medical Certification) |
| Page 5B | Medical Information Form completed by physician |
| Page 6 | Release of information for medical records |
| Page 8 | Consent to treatment and use of health care information |
| Page 9 | Security form with criminal conviction information |
| Unnumbered | Criminal History Record Information Release Authorization |
Supporting Documents Required
Before admission, you must provide or arrange for submission of :
DD214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty)
One year of financial records (12-month lookback from application date)
Three years of asset transfer records
Income statements (Social Security, pension, VA benefits, etc.)
Medical records from all providers
Psychiatric records (if applicable)
Trust documents (if applicable)
Annuity documents (if applicable)
Advance directives and durable powers of attorney (medical and financial)
Marital history documentation (marriage certificate, death certificate if applicable)
Next of kin and emergency contact information
Criminal records review (local and national)
Legal Documents Recommended
The NHVH strongly recommends that applicants arrange to have durable powers of attorney for health care and financial matters completed prior to admission . Required legal documents include:
Power of Attorney for Healthcare
Power of Attorney for Finances
Living Will
Do Not Resuscitate Form (if applicable)
Anatomical Gift Form (if applicable)
How to Apply for NH Veterans Home Admission
The application process involves multiple steps and requires coordination with healthcare providers and the NHVH admissions office.
Application Submission
Applicants or their legal representatives must :
Complete the full application packet including all pages with signatures and dates
Submit or arrange for submission of all required supporting documents
Have your physician complete VA Form 10-10SH and the Medical Information Form
Authorize release of information for medical records review
Application Review Process
The NHVH reviews applications based on the decisions of the Committee, which may:
Continue the application through the full process
Deny the application at any point without completing the entire process
First Month Payment
Upon admission, residents are required to pay the first month’s room and board in advance . If a resident voluntarily discharges within the first 30 days, they forfeit the balance of the first month’s room and board .
Application Forms and Resources
The official NHVH admission application and forms are available through:
The New Hampshire Veterans Home website (veteranshome.nh.gov)
The NHVH admissions office directly
Costs and What’s Included
Understanding what the room and board charges cover—and what they don’t—is essential for financial planning.
Room and Board Charges Include
The room and board rate covers :
24-hour nursing care
All VA formulary prescription medications
Physical therapy for maintenance/restorative care
Transportation to/from medical appointments ordered by NHVH medical staff
Dietary services (three meals and snacks)
Daily housekeeping services
Laundry services
Incontinence products
Basic cable TV
Routine dental care
Resident account management
Coordination of VA/pension benefits
Social services
Chaplain services
Psychiatric provider services
Library services
Expenses NOT Covered
The following are not included in the room and board rate :
Non-VA formulary brand name prescription medications
Medicare co-pays (20%)
Supplemental health insurance premiums
Haircuts
Personal clothing
Personal toiletries
Eyeglass prescriptions
Dentures and partial plates (new or repaired)
Hearing aids (new or repaired)
Personal cell phones
Personal computers
Private travel to local banks
Legal document fees
Legal services
Personal snacks and out-of-house meals
Entertainment equipment (TVs, DVD players, radios, etc.)
Some durable medical equipment
Co-Pays for Medical Services
Some medical services may require co-pays depending on the resident’s payment status :
| Service | Basic Rate Resident | Prevailing Rate Resident |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Care | Yes | No |
| Physical/Hearing | Yes | Possibly |
| Outside Resources (podiatry, dialysis, hearing aids, etc.) | Yes | Yes |
Appeals Process
If your application is denied, you have the right to appeal the decision.
Request for Review
Applications that are denied may be appealed by the applicant or authorized representative according to NH Code of Administrative Rules Ve-H 307.01 – Request for Review of Determination of Ineligibility for Residency .
The appeal process is established by the Board of Managers and follows the procedures outlined in RSA 541-A .
Common Questions
1. Do I have to be a New Hampshire resident to apply to the NH Veterans Home?
Yes, generally you must have been a legal resident of New Hampshire for at least one year immediately preceding your application . However, this requirement is waived for veterans whose DD214 shows a New Hampshire home of record, and for active duty veterans with a NH home of record being discharged from a medical facility .
2. What types of care does the NH Veterans Home provide?
The NHVH provides nursing care, assisted living, domiciliary care, day care, dementia care, chemical dependency services, psychiatric services, and other related services . These services are provided at the home in Tilton or contracted through other organizations.
3. What is the asset limit for admission to the NH Veterans Home?
Your total assets must be less than $275,000 to be eligible for admission . There is a 12-month lookback period for all assets . The applicant’s home is not counted as an asset if the spouse resides there or legal documents demonstrate other ownership .
4. How much does it cost to live at the NH Veterans Home?
If you have assets between $30,000 and $275,000, you pay a self-pay rate of $180 per day (subject to change) until your assets drop below $30,000 . If your assets are under $30,000, you pay 90% of your monthly income after a $100 exemption .
5. Can a surviving spouse live at the NH Veterans Home?
The NHVH is established for veterans. Surviving spouses may qualify for certain tax credits but the home’s admission requirements are specifically for veterans who meet military service and discharge requirements .
6. What documents do I need to apply?
You need your DD214, one year of financial records, three years of asset transfer records, income statements, complete medical records, trust or annuity documents if applicable, advance directives, durable powers of attorney, and completed application forms including VA Form 10-10SH .
7. Can I keep my home if I enter the NH Veterans Home?
Yes, your home is not counted as an accountable asset if your spouse or civil union partner will continue to reside in it, or if legal documents demonstrate other ownership . You may also spend down assets for major home repairs if your spouse intends to continue occupying the home .
8. What happens if I run out of money while at the NHVH?
If your assets drop below $30,000 after admission, your payment structure changes to the income-based formula: 90% of monthly income after a $100 exemption . The home has provisions to ensure your spouse does not suffer financial hardship .
9. What is the VA Form 10-10SH?
VA Form 10-10SH is the State Home Program Application for Veteran Care Medical Certification . It must be completed by the applicant’s physician as part of the NHVH admission application packet and documents the medical need for care.
10. Can I appeal if my application is denied?
Yes, denied applications may be appealed by the applicant or authorized representative according to NH Code of Administrative Rules Ve-H 307.01 . The Board of Managers has established an appeal process under RSA 541-A .
11. Do National Guard or Reserve members qualify for admission?
Yes, veterans who served in reserve units or in the New Hampshire Army or Air National Guard are eligible, provided they meet all other requirements including honorable discharge and residency .
12. Is there a veterans tax credit available for property owners?
Yes, New Hampshire offers a Veterans Tax Credit for qualifying veterans and surviving spouses. The credit amount varies by municipality and can be up to $5,000 for veterans with a service-connected total disability . Applications are typically due by April 15 .
Key Takeaways
Eligibility requires active duty or reserve/National Guard service, an honorable discharge, and one year of NH residency—waivers available for veterans with NH home of record on DD214
Financial eligibility requires assets under $275,000 with a 12-month lookback period; the applicant’s home is excluded if spouse resides there
Cost structure depends on asset level: $180/day self-pay for assets $30,000-$275,000, or 90% of income (minus $100 exemption) for assets under $30,000
Application requires extensive documentation including DD214, financial records, medical records, legal documents, and multiple forms
Services provided include nursing, assisted living, dementia care, domiciliary, and psychiatric care—all at the Tilton facility
Room and board covers 24-hour nursing, medications, meals, laundry, transportation, and activities—but not haircuts, personal items, eyeglasses, dentures, or hearing aids
Appeals are available for denied applications under NH Code of Administrative Rules Ve-H 307.01
First month’s payment is due in advance upon admission
Official Resources
For the most current information and official application forms, contact:
New Hampshire Veterans Home (Tilton, NH) – veteranshome.nh.gov
NH Department of Veterans Services – nh.gov/veterans
VA Form 10-10SH – Available through the VA website or NHVH admissions office
NH Code of Administrative Rules Ve-H 300 – Regulations governing residency and admission
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📌 Information provided as of June 2026. Always verify current eligibility and rules with official .gov sources.
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