Disability Exemption

The City of Dover offers an exemption for persons who are eligible under Title II or Title XVI of the Social Security Act for benefits to the disabled. The applicant must be the owner of the property and occupy it as their principle place of abode. They must also meet the income and asset requirements set by the city. Basic requirements are outlined below. Please refer to the application and RSA 72:37-b for full details.

Applications will only be accepted between January 1st and April 15th each year because the application requires financial information from the prior year. Applications will not be reviewed if they are missing the required supporting financial or eligibility documentation. A response from the Assessing Office is due back to the applicant on or before July 1st. If approved, the exemption will go into effect with the first bill of the new tax year the following December.

Appointments are available with the Assessing Clerk during the application window if you would like an initial review of your application before you submit it. All applications are subject to a final review and determination by the City Assessor. Please call or email the Assessing Office during the application window if you are interested in setting up an appointment. 

EXEMPTION AMOUNT

The exemption amount offered is $166,000. This amount is taken off of the assessed value of the property before the final tax bill is determined.

INCOME & ASSET REQUIREMENTS

Single applicants - income must be $47,000 or less

Married applicants - income must be $64,000 or less

Assets must be less than $186,100 (excluding the value of the applicant's residence)

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• The applicant must submit supporting documentation with the application showing eligibility for disability payments under the Social Security Act. This is typically a Social Security Administration benefits letter.
• If the applicant previously qualified for disability benefits through social security and no longer qualifies due to a reason other than the status of their disability, they will still qualify for the exemption. An affidavit from a physician licensed in NH attesting to the fact that the person continues to meet the criteria for disability that are used under Title II or Title XVI of the federal social security act will need to be submitted with the application.
• The property must be the applicant’s principle place of abode.
• The applicant must have resided in NH for at least five (5) years preceding April 1st in the year in which the exemption is claimed.
• The property must be owned by the applicant or jointly or in common with their spouse, either of whom meets the age requirement for the exemption claimed; or owned by the applicant, or the applicant's spouse, either of whom meets the age requirement for the exemption claimed, and when they have been married to each other for at least 5 consecutive years.
• They property can be owned by the applicant jointly or in common with a person not the applicant's spouse, if the applicant meets the requirements for the exemption claimed.
• If the property is held in trust or if the applicant has a life estate interest in the property, they may still qualify. A PA-33 form will need to be submitted with the application along with a copy of the trust. 

Please call the Assessor's office with any questions. 

2024 Disability Exemption Applications will be released in November 2023