Portsmouth
Ask about Portsmouth
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Portsmouth and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Portsmouth
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Local office · City office
Portsmouth City Hall
1 Junkins Avenue, Portsmouth, NH 03801
Help here
- City services and department informationContact City Hall to find a city department or get help with city services.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on portsmouthnh.gov
Human services · City office
Portsmouth Welfare Department
1 Junkins Avenue, Portsmouth, NH 03801
Help here
- Emergency assistanceThe department may help eligible residents with urgent needs such as food, shelter, medicine, or utilities.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on portsmouthnh.gov
Utilities · City office
Water and Sewer Billing Office
City Hall, 1 Junkins Avenue, Room 304, Portsmouth, NH 03801
Help here
- Water and sewer billsAsk about a water or sewer bill, make a payment, or request help with eligible bills.Apply online
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on portsmouthnh.gov
Library · City office
Portsmouth Public Library
175 Parrott Avenue, Portsmouth, NH 03801
Help here
- Library servicesBorrow books and other materials, use computers and research tools, and attend library programs.Read more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on portsmouthnh.gov
Older adults · City office
Portsmouth Senior Activity Center
125 Cottage Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801
Help here
- Senior programs and servicesOlder residents can visit for activities, programs, and information about senior services.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on portsmouthnh.gov
Housing authority · Regional office
Portsmouth Housing Authority
245 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH 03833
Help here
- Affordable housingContact the authority to ask about affordable housing and rental assistance options.Apply online
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on porthousing.org
Jobs and training · State office
NH Employment Security Portsmouth Office
2000 Lafayette Road, Portsmouth, NH 03801
Help here
- Employment and unemployment servicesVisit for help with job search services or questions about unemployment benefits.Apply online
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on nhes.nh.gov
Checked on October 8, 2026
Offices for all of Rockingham County
Portsmouth is in Rockingham County. These county and state offices serve people there too.
Older adults · County office
Rockingham County Rehabilitation and Nursing Center and Assisted Living
117 North Road, Brentwood, NH 03833
Help here
- Rehabilitation, nursing, and assisted livingThe center offers short-term rehabilitation, skilled nursing, and assisted living for older adults.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on rockinghamcountyseniorliving.com
Human services · State office
NH DHHS Seacoast District Office
19 Rye Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801
Help here
- Public benefits and family servicesResidents can get help with benefits and services such as food, child care, Medicaid, and child support.Apply online
- WICEligible pregnant people, new parents, infants, and children can get nutrition support through WIC.Read more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on dhhs.nh.gov
Older adults · Regional office
ServiceLink Resource Center of Rockingham County
72 Portsmouth Avenue, Suite 113, Stratham, NH 03885
Help here
- Aging and disability resource helpStaff help people find long-term care, caregiver support, Medicare counseling, and local services.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on servicelink.nh.gov
Community action · Nonprofit
Community Action Partnership Hillsborough and Rockingham Counties
4 Cutts Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801
Help here
- Community action servicesThe agency connects eligible residents with help for housing, energy costs, food, child care, and work.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on caphr.org
Jobs and training · State office
NH Works Portsmouth
2000 Lafayette Road, Portsmouth, NH 03801
Help here
- Job search and unemployment supportResidents can get help with job searches, career services, and unemployment questions.Read more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on nhes.nh.gov
Jobs and training · State office
NH Works Salem
29 South Broadway, Salem, NH 03079
Help here
- Job search and unemployment supportResidents can get help with job searches, career services, and unemployment questions.Read more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on nhes.nh.gov
New Hampshire programs by kind of help
These are run by New Hampshire and work the same everywhere in the state. Each page lists the programs and how to apply.
- FoodFood benefits, WIC, school meals and food banks.
- HousingRent help, shelter, and help with heat and power bills.
- GoodsClothing, diapers, furniture, a phone and other things for home.
- TransitBus fares, rides and getting to appointments.
- HealthHealth coverage, Medicare, mental health care and help with drug costs.
- MoneyCash help, disability, retirement and veterans payments, and tax help.
- CareChild care, help for older adults and disability support.
- EducationHelp paying for college and training, and free preschool.
- WorkJobs, unemployment, and the IDs and papers you need for work.
- LegalFree legal help, and help staying safe.
Checked on October 8, 2026
Federal help anyone can use
These come from the federal government, so they work the same in every state.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people with little income and few resources who are 65 or older, blind, or have a disability, including children.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes and now cannot work because of a disability that will last a long time.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - Social Security retirement benefits
Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes, starting as early as 62. Spouses and widows may also get benefits.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - Medicare
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Health insurance for people 65 or older and for some younger people with a disability or kidney failure.
Call 1-800-633-4227 - Extra Help with Medicare drug costs
Social Security Administration. Help paying for Medicare prescription drug plans for people with limited income and resources.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - VA health care
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Health care at VA clinics and hospitals for veterans who served in the active military and did not get a dishonorable discharge.
Call 1-877-222-8387 - VA disability compensation and benefits
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Monthly payments for veterans with an illness or injury caused or made worse by military service, plus education, home loan and other benefits.
Call 1-800-827-1000 - FAFSA, the federal student aid form
U.S. Department of Education. One free form that opens federal grants, work-study and loans for college or trade school. Many states and schools use it for their own aid too.
Call 1-800-433-3243 - Federal Pell Grant
U.S. Department of Education. Money for college or trade school that usually does not have to be paid back, for students with financial need.
Call 1-800-433-3243 - HealthCare.gov
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The federal marketplace for health insurance plans. Many people can get lower monthly costs based on their income.
Call 1-800-318-2596 - Lifeline phone and internet discount
Federal Communications Commission. A monthly discount on phone or internet service for households with low income or who get benefits like SNAP, Medicaid or SSI.
Call 1-800-234-9473 - Head Start and Early Head Start
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Free preschool, child care and family support for young children from birth to age 5 in families with low income, run by local programs.
Call 1-866-763-6481 - IRS Free File
Internal Revenue Service. File your federal tax return online for free with tax software offered through the IRS, if your income is under the year's limit.
- VITA and TCE free tax help
Internal Revenue Service. IRS-certified volunteers prepare and file your taxes for free, in person, for people with low or moderate income, older adults and people with disabilities.
Call 1-800-906-9887 - Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
Internal Revenue Service. A federal tax credit for people who work and earn low to moderate income. It can mean a bigger refund, even if you owe no tax.
Call 1-800-829-1040 - Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Help paying rent in a home you choose, for families with very low income, older adults and people with disabilities. Local housing authorities run it, and many have waiting lists.
- Replace a Social Security card
Social Security Administration. Get a free replacement Social Security card if yours was lost, stolen or damaged. Many people can ask online.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - FEMA disaster assistance
Federal Emergency Management Agency. Help with a place to stay, repairs and other needs after a disaster the President has declared in your area.
Call 1-800-621-3362
Checked on October 9, 2026
Talk to a person
- 211 NH
Free help finding food, housing, bills and more near you.
Call 211 - 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 if you are in crisis or worried about someone. Any time.
Call 988Text 988