Can a Single Person Be a Foster Parent in New Hampshire?

Single adults are explicitly permitted to become licensed foster parents in New Hampshire. He-C 6446.04 lists marital status among the factors that cannot be used to disqualify an applicant, and DCYF actively recruits single caregivers. The question isn't whether you can apply — you can. The more useful question is what the experience of fostering as a single person in New Hampshire actually looks like.

What the Rules Say

Under He-C 6446.04, New Hampshire does not require applicants to be married, partnered, or in any particular household configuration. Sexual orientation, marital status, race, religion, and ethnicity are all explicitly non-factors in eligibility. A single adult who is 21 or older, is a legal NH resident, and meets the financial sufficiency and home safety requirements can be licensed as a foster parent.

The agencies that work alongside DCYF — Waypoint, NFI North, Easterseals, Ascentria, and others — apply the same nondiscrimination standard. You can pursue licensure through any of these agencies as a single applicant.

Financial Sufficiency as a Single-Income Household

The financial sufficiency test is the standard most relevant to single applicants. New Hampshire does not use an income threshold — you don't need to earn a specific dollar amount. Instead, you need to demonstrate that your current household expenses (housing, food, utilities, clothing) are being met before a foster child is added to your home.

For a single-income household, this means your existing budget needs to be stable and manageable without relying on the foster care stipend to cover your baseline expenses. The stipend is designed for the child's costs — food, clothing, activities, and their portion of household expenses — not to subsidize your mortgage or rent.

This is a real consideration, particularly in southern New Hampshire where housing costs in Manchester, Nashua, and the Seacoast area are among the highest in the state. If your current housing situation is stretched, adding a foster child (and all the associated appointments, activities, and childcare) may create financial stress even with the stipend.

The Childcare Question

This is where single foster parents most often encounter practical friction. If you work full-time — which most single adults do — you'll need a childcare plan for school-age children before and after school and for younger children during the day. The foster care stipend for a young child runs roughly $34-43 per day depending on care type, which does not cover full-time commercial daycare rates in most of New Hampshire. The gap between the stipend and actual daycare costs is the most common financial pressure point for working single foster parents.

What helps:

• School-age children are generally less costly in childcare terms — after-school programs are cheaper than full-time daycare
• Flexible work arrangements (remote work, adjusted hours, compressed schedules) significantly reduce childcare costs
• Foster children may qualify for subsidized childcare through NH programs — ask your Resource Worker about childcare assistance options available to foster families
• DCYF's support network can sometimes connect families with community resources, though this varies by district

Being clear with DCYF about the age range and placement type you can realistically manage as a single working parent helps them match you with appropriate placements. A school-age child who is in school during the day requires very different logistics than an infant who needs full-time care.

The Home Requirement for Single Applicants

Single applicants must meet the same home requirements as any other applicant under He-C 6446.09. You don't need a large home, but you do need:

• A home that passes fire and health inspections
• A separate bed for each foster child
• A bedroom separate from adults for any foster child over age 1
• Gender separation for opposite-gender children over age 5

For a single person fostering one child, this typically means having one available bedroom in addition to your own. A one-bedroom apartment does not work if the only available sleeping space is the living room.

The Home Study for Single Applicants

The home study process for single applicants covers the same ground as for couples or families, with some differences in focus:

Support network assessment: For single applicants, DCYF places particular emphasis on the strength and reliability of your support network. Who helps you when you're sick? Who can take over if a work emergency comes up? Who is your backup for a crisis at 11 PM? The absence of a partner doesn't disqualify you, but you need to demonstrate that you have people in your life who can help you parent effectively.

Emergency planning: You'll need a written emergency plan — who cares for the foster child if you're incapacitated, if there's a family emergency, or if you need to be away unexpectedly. Having a pre-identified backup caregiver (ideally someone who is also background-checked or willing to be) strengthens your application.

Work schedule: Your Resource Worker will want to understand your work situation — not to penalize you for working full-time, but to understand how you'll manage the demands of fostering alongside your employment. A realistic, concrete plan for managing appointments, transportation, and childcare is more persuasive than vague assurances.

What Single Foster Parents in New Hampshire Typically Say

Single foster parents who've gone through the process in New Hampshire consistently note:

• The system does not treat you as a lesser applicant for being single — the bias that existed in previous generations of child welfare has largely been eliminated in NH's licensing framework
• The practical challenges are real and relate to time, not skepticism from DCYF
• Foster care as a single person tends to work best with children who are school-age (reducing childcare demands), older (more self-sufficient), or who match your capacity for one-on-one attention — many children who have been let down repeatedly by adults do particularly well with a focused single caregiver
• The NHFAPA support community and local district office support networks matter more for single parents than for couples, who have a built-in support partner

The New Hampshire Foster Care Licensing Guide covers the financial planning elements specific to single-income households, including the childcare cost gap, the subsidized childcare programs foster families can access, and how to structure your home study presentation as a single applicant.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does New Hampshire have a preference for married couples over single adults for foster placement?

No. New Hampshire law explicitly prohibits discrimination based on marital status in foster care licensing. DCYF actively recruits single caregivers, particularly for teenagers and older children who often do well with a focused single caregiver.

Can I foster as a single person if I live in an apartment?

Yes, if the apartment meets the physical requirements — separate bedroom for a foster child over age 1, passing fire and health inspections, and appropriate space for the household. Many single foster parents in New Hampshire's urban areas (Manchester, Nashua, Concord) live in apartments.

What happens if I need to travel for work?

Your emergency plan needs to address work travel. You'll need a pre-identified backup caregiver who can step in. For frequent travelers, DCYF may consider the logistics carefully when deciding on placement types — an emergency placement that requires 24-hour intensive supervision may not be appropriate for a single parent who travels regularly.

Will DCYF ask about my dating life during the home study?

The home study focuses on your stability, your support network, and your readiness to parent. If you have a significant other who spends time in the home, they will need to complete a background check as a household member or frequent presence. Otherwise, your personal relationships are not the focus of the assessment.

Is respite care a good entry point for single adults considering fostering?

Yes. Applying for a respite care license first allows you to experience foster care — with children staying in your home for overnight or weekend stays — before committing to longer-term placements. It's a genuine way to test the practical reality of fostering as a single person with your specific housing and work situation.

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