Author: Stacy Bailey
Social Services
Our mission is to provide interim assistance with basic needs for those who do not have the resources to meet these needs and encourage community involvement in addressing issues to help break the circle of poverty.
We provide interim, emergency assistance with basic needs for those unable to provide for themselves. Basic needs include shelter, food, medications, rent, utilities, etc. Assistance is issued in the form of vouchers for these items paid directly to a vendor. We will also refer you to other programs that will help you to meet these basic needs.
We do not issue food stamps, Medicaid or cash assistance. NH Department of Health and Human Services administers these programs. Please see The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services Official Website for more information on these programs.
Applications are available upon request in the Selectman’s Office at the Town Hall.
Ryan Heath, Welfare Director
Stacy Bailey, Welfare Officer
Shannon Hart, Deputy Welfare Officer
Related Links
• Alton Community Services (ACS) (Food Pantry and more)
• Service Link NH (Aging and Disability Resource Center)
• Community Action Program Belknap Merrimack Counties (Fuel Assistance, Electric Assistance)
• NH Electronic Application System (NHEasy) (Food Stamps, Medicaid, Cash Assistance)
• Low & Moderate Tax Relief Program (Property taxes)
• 211 New Hampshire (Health and Human Service Providers)
Area Shelters
HOMELESS OUTREACH HOT-LINE 1-800-852-3345
• Claremont (Schs) 542-3160 Singles & Families
• Concord (Friend’s Program) 228-1462 Families Only
• Concord (McKenna House) 228-3505 Singles Only
• Dover (My Friend’s Place) 749-3017 Singles & Families
• Franconia (Bancroft House) 823-8842 Single Females & Families
• Greenland (New Generations) 436-4989 Pregnant Women & New Mothers with Babies
• Keene Singles/Families Shelters 357-1654 Singles & Families
• Laconia (Carey House) 528-8086 OR 273-0238 Singles & Families
• Lancaster (Tyler Blain House) 788-2344 Singles & Families
• Manchester (Families In Transition) 627-2636 Families Only
• Manchester (New Horizons) 668-1877 Singles Only
• Nashua (Ash Street Shelter) 889-7770 (Days) or 883-1101 (Nights) Single Males & Families
• Nashua (Kinsley Street Shelter) 598-2544 Single Females & Families
• Nashua (Maple Arms Emergency Shelter) 882-5451 Singles & Families
• Plymouth (Bridge House, Inc) 536-7631 Singles & Families
• Portsmouth (Crossroads) 436-2218 Singles & Families
Registered Sex Offenders
PINE STREET INN (617) 892-9100 Singles Only
444 Harrison Avenue
Boston, MA 02118
Cold Weather Shelter
(opens mid-December)
First Congregational Church 225-5491 Singles Only
177 North Main Street
Concord, NH
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I Apply for Town Assistance?
The best method is to call us at 603-875-2113. We can answer your questions and assess your situation and try to direct you to any other programs that will also be beneficial to you.
To apply for Town assistance, you can visit our office and get an application for assistance along with other forms that may be appropriate. (You can also print an application here) Once this application is completed, you will need to bring it into the Town Hall with the supporting documentation.
Included in your application will be a list of documentation that is required to accompany your request for assistance.
When should I apply?
If you are in need of shelter, rent, utilities, food, medical or burial expenses.
If you have received an eviction notice, apply immediately.
If you have received a shut off notice for Fuel/Electric/Gas, apply immediately.
What should I bring to my first appointment?
Proof of Identification
Photo ID, Birth Certificates, Social Security Cards for yourself and all family members
Proof of all sources of income/resources:
Employment, Social Security Income, Tax Refund or Tax return, child support, unemployment, workers compensation and any other source of income.
Proof of all resources:
Bank books, check book statements, IRAs, Certificates of Deposit, life insurance policies, etc
Proof of all expenses:
Rent (lease agreement or statement from your landlord; utility bills, phone bills, food receipts, tuition, prescriptions, insurance, auto repair and any other expense for the last four weeks.
Eviction notices or utilities disconnect notices.
State Programs Available
TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families): For custodial parents of children under age 18. Usually single parent household although cohesive family units may apply if minimal to no income and one parent either incapacitated or unemployed and receiving or eligible to receive, Unemployment Compensation Benefits. This is a cash grant program.
EAP (Emergency Assistance Program): If a client is deemed “potentially eligible” to receive TANF upon application, that person is also eligible to apply for EAP.
APTD (Aid to the Permanently and Totally Disabled): This is a State subsidy which sometimes supplements income from either SSDI or SSI (federal disability programs). Individuals in this program generally do not qualify for city assistance unless it is medically related.
MA (Medicaid): This is a medical insurance program. There are several different categories under which a person/household can receive Medicaid benefits.
ANB/OAA (Aid to Needy Blind & Old Age Assistance): Available to persons who are blind or legally blind with minimal income. Old Age Assistance is also available to individuals with little or no income.
FS (Food Stamps): This is a federally funded program administered by the State. Emergency Food Stamps may also be available.
Adult Protective Services
DCYF (Department of Children & Youth)
Information for our Senior Citizens
Would you or anyone you know benefit from:
• Meals on Wheels
• A Nutritious Lunch in the Company of New Friends
• A Companion
• Volunteering
• Classes and Workshops
• Trips
• Health Screenings, Clinics, Exercise and Wellness Programs
• Seasonal Events and Parties
• Card, Cribbage, Chess, Scrabble, Bingo, Poker and Mah John Games
• Painting / Drawing Classes
• A Community Garden
• Educational Guest Speakers
• Services, Information and Referral
~ No Membership Required ~
Come join in on the fun! The more, the merrier!
ALTON SENIOR CENTER
7 Pearson Rd.
875-7102
The Community Center on Pearson Road is used for a variety of Senior Programs as well as being available to other groups. The building is equipped with a kitchen, restroom facilities, and a large room for social gatherings. To make a reservation for function activities, contact 875-0109.
The Senior Community Center is the headquarters for supplying and delivering Meals-on Wheels to our homebound and disabled senior citizens. Meals are prepared Monday – Friday Noontime meals are also served at the center every day Monday – Friday. Citizens can always enjoy a nutritious lunch followed by social activities planned by the Director.
The Center produces a monthly newsletter highlighting senior programs and their luncheon menus. It includes tips with regards to health, nutrition, exercise and legal matters. The Center has clinics for blood pressure testing and flu shots. In addition there are special trips, free transportation, entertainment, volunteer services, internet access, the Visiting Nurse Association and related organizations. The Center is used for commodity food distribution.
There is Service Link Satellite Office in the building it offers referral services on matters relating to aging, chronic illness and disability. There is also a resource library providing individuals the opportunity to research information (educational articles, pamphlets/brochures, internet access.)
Alton Senior Community Center is open from 8:30 am – 2:00 pm, Monday through Friday. For information and a complete listing of scheduled programs call 875-7102.
Information for New Residents
Welcome!
The Town of Alton, NH has a total area of 82.2 square miles, of which 62.9 square miles is land and 19.3 square miles is water, comprising 23.49% of the town. Alton is located at the southern end of Lake Winnipesaukee, around the 4-mile-long inlet known as Alton Bay. The village of Alton Bay is located at the southern tip of the bay, while the main village of Alton is located 1 mile south. Mount Major, in Mount Major State Forest, has an elevation of 1,780 feet (540 m) above sea level. Popular with hikers, the summit offers unsurpassed views of Lake Winnipesaukee. The highest point in Alton is the north peak of Straightback Mountain, at 1,910 ft, just west of Mount Major. Both mountains are part of the Belknap Mountains range.
There are many things to see and do in Alton.
• Beaches
• Boat Marinas
• Public Boat Launches
• Mt. Washington ship port at Alton Bay
• Grocery Stores
• Food Pantry
• Senior/Community Center
• Gilman Library
• Many Excellent Restaurants
• Hiking and Trails on Mt. Major, Belknap Mt., and Levey Park
Depending on your location, there are three electric companies:
NH Electric Coop – 800-698-2007
Eversource – 866-554-6025
Wolfeboro Municipal – 603-569-8150
TV/Phone/Internet services are provided by:
Breezeline – 603-524-4425
TDS Telecom – 877-241-8468
Fairpoint Communications – 866-984-2001
The Solid Waste center for trash and recycling is at Hurd Hill Rd – 603-875-5801
All registrations and tax payments are done at the Town Clerks office.
The Alton Zip Code is 03809 and the Alton Bay Zip Code is 03810. There are two Post Offices in town. One is located at 9 School Street in Alton and the other is located at 5 Mount Major Hwy Unit 1 in Alton Bay.