New Hampshire Cliff Calculator — 2026 ACA Subsidy
By Severance Calculator Editorial · Updated
New Hampshire Marketplace: HealthCare.gov
New Hampshire uses a federally-facilitated marketplace (FFM) called HealthCare.gov. New Hampshire residents enroll at HealthCare.gov.
Medicaid in New Hampshire: NH Medicaid (Granite Advantage)
New Hampshire expanded Medicaid under the ACA. NH Medicaid (Granite Advantage) covers adults to 138% FPL.
2026 SLCSP Benchmark Premiums (New Hampshire)
Statewide average monthly second-lowest-cost Silver plan (SLCSP) premiums by age. Actual premiums vary by rating area.
| Age | 21 | 30 | 40 | 50 | 60 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly SLCSP | $410 | $465 | $524 | $732 | $1,113 |
2026 ACA Cliff Thresholds by Household Size (New Hampshire)
MAGI above these amounts zeros out the federal Premium Tax Credit. FPL region: contiguous48.
| Household size | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 400% FPL cliff | $62,600 | $84,600 | $106,600 | $128,600 | $150,600 |
Key Facts: New Hampshire ACA
New Hampshire is one of the more conservative Medicaid expansion states in the Northeast. Rather than a straightforward expansion, New Hampshire implemented expansion through the Granite Advantage Health Care Program — an §1115 waiver (NH RSA 126-AA) that was reauthorized in 2018 for a 10-year term through 2030. The program covers adults with incomes up to 138% FPL through commercial managed care plans, with the state receiving enhanced federal matching funds.
New Hampshire's expansion history includes a contested work-requirement provision. In 2019, HHS approved a work requirement for Granite Advantage, but federal courts blocked implementation; the Biden administration rescinded the approval in 2021. The 2018 reauthorization dropped the work requirement and secured the program's continuation.
New Hampshire uses HealthCare.gov (the federally-facilitated marketplace) for ACA enrollment and has no state-funded premium subsidy backfill for 2026. Residents earning above 400% FPL who lose the federal PTC face the hard cliff with no state cushion. MAGI-reduction strategies such as HSA contributions and deductible retirement account contributions are particularly valuable for New Hampshire households near the 400% FPL threshold.
Calculate your New Hampshire ACA cliff
Inputs default to New Hampshire; adjust to your household specifics. Cliff = $62,600 (HH=1) / $128,600 (HH=4).
Your situation
Coverage
Income
You're under the cliff
You are at 319% of the federal poverty level.
- Annual PTC
- $1,308
- $109 / month
- MAGI headroom before cliff
- $12,600
- until you hit 400% FPL
PTC dollar values use a state-level SLCSP estimate; verify your exact second-lowest-cost Silver plan on healthcare.gov for your zip.
Primary Sources
- NH DHHS — Granite Advantage Health Care Program
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- KFF — Status of State Medicaid Expansion Decisions
“41 states (including DC) have adopted the Medicaid expansion and 10 states have not adopted the expansion.”
FAQ — New Hampshire ACA Cliff
- What is the 2026 ACA subsidy cliff in New Hampshire?
- For a household of 1, MAGI above $62,600 (400% of the 2025 FPL contiguous-48 base) zeros out the federal Premium Tax Credit under IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-25. Household of 4: $128,600. New Hampshire does not have a state subsidy backfill for 2026 — residents earning above the cliff receive no premium assistance.
- How do I enroll in 2026 coverage in New Hampshire?
- New Hampshire uses HealthCare.gov for marketplace enrollment. Open enrollment runs from November 1, 2025 through January 15, 2026 for coverage starting February 1 (December 15 deadline for January 1 coverage). Outside open enrollment, you can enroll only via a Special Enrollment Period (qualifying life event).
- Does New Hampshire have a state-funded subsidy on top of the federal PTC?
- No. New Hampshire does not have a state-funded premium subsidy backfill for 2026. Residents rely entirely on the federal PTC, which phases out at 400% FPL under IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-25. Neighboring Connecticut and Massachusetts both have state backfill programs; New Hampshire does not.
- What is the Medicaid threshold in New Hampshire?
- New Hampshire expanded Medicaid under the ACA via the Granite Advantage Health Care Program (§1115 waiver, NH RSA 126-AA). Adults with MAGI up to 138% FPL qualify for Granite Advantage. The waiver was reauthorized in 2018 through 2030 and is administered through commercial managed care plans.
- How is SLCSP calculated for New Hampshire?
- The 2026 statewide SLCSP age-band averages for New Hampshire are: Age 21: $410/mo, Age 30: $465/mo, Age 40: $524/mo, Age 50: $732/mo, Age 60: $1,113/mo. These are statewide averages; your specific zip code may vary ±20–30%. The cliff distance (income vs. 400% FPL) is exact regardless of SLCSP precision.
- Can I avoid the 2026 cliff by reducing my MAGI?
- Yes — common pre-year-end MAGI reductions include maxing your HSA contribution, a deductible Traditional IRA contribution, SEP-IRA or Solo 401(k) if self-employed, deferring a Roth conversion, or harvesting capital losses. New Hampshire has no state subsidy buffer, making MAGI management especially valuable for households near the 400% FPL boundary.
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