dovercares

The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic is an unprecedented health crisis that has disrupted our local, national and worldwide economy. This disruption is creating significant financial hardships and potentially lasting economic impacts that affect Dover residents, businesses and nonprofits. To assist in overcoming the financial and emotional challenges many are experiencing now and in the weeks and months ahead, a number of programs and services are offered by the City of Dover. These measures are being coordinated with federal, state and private efforts, and provide economic support and financial relief to all residents, businesses and nonprofits affected by the COVID-19 crisis and in need of assistance.

Dover CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) is a comprehensive and continually updated list of programs, services and assistance available to the community during these difficult times.

How Do I Find Help For:

PROPERTY TAX RELIEF

Financial Hardship

All property owners with demonstrated financial hardship are eligible to apply for reductions on their tax bills. This also includes waivers of past due interest charges accrued during the COVID-19 emergency. For more information, contact the Assessor's Office at 603-516-6014.
The New Hampshire Homeowner Assistance Fund provides up to $20,000 to eligible New Hampshire homeowners for delinquent property taxes, funded through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Eligibility requirements include New Hampshire property ownership that is the owner’s primary residence, coronavirus pandemic-related income reduction or expense increase since Jan. 21, 2020, and income equal to or less than 125% of area median income. To apply and view a complete list of available assistance and eligibility requirements, go to homehelpnh.org.

Low and Moderate Income Homeowners

Homeowners with income less than $20,000 per year ($40,000 married or head of household) are eligible to apply for a rebate on their taxes. Through this program, the State of New Hampshire's Department of Revenue Administration allows residents of low to moderate income to apply for a reduction to the state portion of the education property tax, which is provided as a property tax rebate. For more information, or to apply, visit https://www.revenue.nh.gov/forms/low-moderate.htm.

Extended Property Tax Payment Plans

All property owners with demonstrated financial hardship are eligible to establish pay plans for tax bills to be completed over an extended period. For more information, contact the Tax Collector's Office at 516-6018.

Existing Exemptions and Credits

All homeowners meeting certain criteria are eligible to receive partial exemptions and/or credits on their tax bills. Exemptions and credits are available for the elderly, blind, deaf, disabled and all veterans. For more information, contact the Tax Assessment Office at 516-6014 or visit https://www.dover.nh.gov/government/city-operations/finance/tax-assessment/index.html.

HOUSING AND FOOD ASSISTANCE

Housing Assistance

Rental assistance: A federally funded New Hampshire Emergency Rental Assistance Program (NHERAP) provides assistance to eligible residents of New Hampshire who cannot pay their rent and utilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. NHERAP is administered by New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority (NHHFA), in collaboration with the Governor’s Office for Emergency Relief and Recovery (GOFERR) and the Community Action Partnership agencies. To be eligible for rental or utility assistance, at least one person in the household must have qualified for unemployment benefits, had their income reduced, had significant costs, OR had other financial hardship due to COVID 19. The household must be at risk for homelessness or housing instability, and meet certain income requirements. Details about the program are available at https://www.capnh.org/.
Mortgage assistance: The New Hampshire Homeowner Assistance Fund provides up to $20,000 to eligible New Hampshire homeowners for mortgage loan reinstatement for delinquent mortgage payments, funded through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Eligibility requirements include New Hampshire property ownership that is the owner’s primary residence, coronavirus pandemic-related income reduction or expense increase since Jan. 21, 2020, and income equal to or less than 125% of area median income.
To apply and view a complete list of available assistance and eligibility requirements, go to homehelpnh.org.
All residents in Dover at immediate risk of losing housing, including those requiring help with rent and/or mortgage payments, are eligible to apply for public assistance. To find out what assistance is available, contact the Public Welfare Department at 603-516-6500, by email at d.balian@dover.nh.gov or by visiting bit.ly/doverwelfare.
Additional assistance for residential tenants unable to pay rent is available by contacting Community Action Partnership of Strafford County at cap@straffordcap.org or visiting straffordcap.org.

Food & Household Commodities

All residents in Dover in need of food or other household essentials and otherwise financially unable to adequately sustain themselves will be eligible to apply for access vouchers and/or local food bank supplies which may include referrals to private charitable organizations. To find out what assistance is available, contact the Public Welfare Department at 603-516-6500.
The University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension's Food Access Map shows where in Dover free or low-cost food is offered, volunteers are needed and donations are accepted. The map can be found at https://extension.unh.edu/resource/new-hampshire-food-access-map.
Community Action Partnership of Strafford County helps provide food to all families and individuals in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. For a list of food plans, food pantries and meals to go, visit https://straffordcap.org/our-services/food-nutrition/.

Homeless Services

Local homeless are able to receive shelter, food and medical care through existing public assistance programs and services provided by religious and private charitable organizations. Shower and laundry facilities are also available and can be accessed by referrals provided through Public Welfare and Community Action program offices.

BUSINESS ASSISTANCE

Businesses seeking assistance are encouraged to contact the Office of Business Development at 603-516-6043.
The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) provided loans to help businesses keep their workforce employed during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. It is no longer accepting applications. Borrowers may be eligible for PPP Loan Forgiveness.
COVID-19 Economic Targeted Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) Advance was signed into law, as part of the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act. The Targeted EIDL Advance provided businesses located in low-income communities with additional funds to ensure small business continuity, adaptation, and resiliency. The program is no longer accepting new applications but may continue to accept requests for increases, reconsideration, and appeals. More information can be found here.
Additional information about relief from the effects of COVID-19 on local businesses can be found at the State of New Hampshire's Department of Business and Economic Affairs page at https://www.nheconomy.com/covid19, and the CDC's COVID-19 page for businesses and employers at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/workplaces-businesses/index.html.

UTILITIES

Water and Sewer Extended Payment Plans

All water and sewer utility customers with demonstrated financial hardship are eligible to establish payment plans for utility bills to be completed over an extended period. For more information, contact the Water and Sewer Billing Office at 603-516-6028.

Homeowner Aid for Utility Bills, Including Internet