Welfare and Human Services
Newmarket Town Welfare: Applicants/Clients should come to Town Hall to pick up a Town Welfare Application. Applications are available in the first floor hallway outside the Planning Office, during regular business hours. Eligibility cannot be determined without a fully completed application, with all required documentation. It is the applicant's responsibility to complete the application and include all supporting financial documentation. Incomplete applications delay the process and affect the ability of this Department to determine eligibility.
Should you have a question or need to contact the Welfare Director in an emergency, she is available on an on-call basis and can be reached at (603) 817-9536. Please allow a reasonable time for calls to be returned, within the business day. You may call (603) 817-9536 to make an appointment, for information about welfare services, or for assistance in filling out an application. Please keep in mind, in order to be considered for a determination of eligibility, EVERYONE must complete the Town Welfare application in its entirety and provide all necessary documentation.
Towns and cities are required to provide financial assistance for basic necessities that support life and health, including food, shelter, housing, utilities, etc. There are other expenses with which the Town may be able to help, such as transportation to a shelter and prescriptions for life sustaining medications. Due to the absolute confidential nature of Town Welfare, the Welfare Director may only speak to the client(s) of record and not to a third party regardless whether that person is a relative, landlord, friend or social worker. We value client confidentiality. Please respect the law regarding client confidentiality and the limitations on the ability of the Welfare Director to speak to a well-intentioned third party.
If you need additional help, please try these organizations first, as Town Welfare/General Assistance is a fund of last resort.
The Newmarket Community Church Food Pantry serves Newmarket and Newfields residents and is located at 137 Main Street (use the entrance on Water Street). The pantry is open Thursdays from 12PM – 6PM and offers multiple options to ensure you can receive the food you need. To find out more about the pantry, go to www.newmarketchurch.org or call 603-659-3892.
The Newmarket Community Church Thrift Shop at 10 North Main Street is open from 10AM to 2PM Monday through Saturday, and from 10AM - 6PM on Thursday. To find out more about the Thrift shop, go to www.newmarketchurch.org or call the Thrift Shop at 603-659-0607.
Rockingham Community Action is a private nonprofit that provides early education and health services for young children and families, as well as WIC (Women, Infants and Children), fuel and electrical assistance, employment and training services, child care information; homeless prevention, housing services and other programs to help individuals and families. RCA often works with towns and other agencies to provide assistance to Income-eligible households. For an appointment or information call (603) 431-2911 or email.
Lamprey Health Center is a private, non-profit community health center located near the high school at 207 South Main Street. You do not need insurance to receive health services. Contact them at (603) 659-3106. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday - Thursday; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays; 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays. Sunday hours are available only at the Raymond office.
Seacoast Mental Health is one of ten State-designated community mental health centers in New Hampshire. Contact the Portsmouth Office, 1145 Sagamore Avenue, at (603) 431-6703 or the Exeter office, 30 Prospect Avenue, at (603) 772-2710.
Ready Rides provides free transportation to health care and essential services for elderly and disabled residents of Barrington, Northwood, Nottingham, Strafford, Durham, Lee, Madbury, and Newmarket. Rides are provided by volunteer drivers using their own vehicles. Accessible rides available. To request information about registering as a rider, please email us or call (603) 244-8719.
Meals on Wheels provides nutritious meals and beneficial support services to older and disabled residents of Rockingham County who need assistance to help them preserve long term health, well being, and independence.
New Hampshire's Electronic Application System (NH EASY) is available to apply online for cash, medical, child care, Medicare Savings Program, and/or Food Stamp benefits. You can apply or reapply for benefits, report changes to your household, etc. at www.nheasy.nh.gov or you can contact the district office in Portsmouth at 50 International Drive, (603) 433-8300.