1. (a) Automobile repairs shall be provided to New Hampshire employment program (NHEP) participants for the purpose of maintaining reliable transportation which enables the NHEP participant to prepare for, secure, or maintain employment.

2. (b) The department shall pay for the actual cost of approved automobile repairs up to $500 per state fiscal year, per NHEP participant, and subject to the following:

   1. (1) An automobile for which an NHEP participant is requesting automobile repairs shall be:

      1. a. Determined by an NHEP representative as necessary for the NHEP participant to participate in an approved NHEP activity or employment; and

      2. b. Registered to:

         1. 1. The NHEP participant;
         2. 2. Either parent in a 2-parent family, as long as the parent indicates in writing that the parent will consistently transport the NHEP participant to the NHEP participant’s NHEP activity; or
         3. 3. The NHEP participant’s dependent child who resides in the same household, as long as the NHEP participant is the parent of the dependent child, and the dependent child indicates in writing that they will consistently transport the NHEP participant to the NHEP participant’s NHEP activity;

   2. (2) The NHEP participant requesting the automobile repair assistance shall:

      1. a. Have a valid operator or commercial license in effect at the time the request for automobile repair reimbursement is made or, if the NHEP participant lacks a valid driver’s license, the other parent in the 2-parent family, or the dependent child who resides in the same household, has a valid driver’s license and the other parent in the 2-parent family or the dependent child indicates in writing that the other parent in the 2-parent family or the dependent child will consistently transport the NHEP participant to the NHEP participant’s NHEP activity; and

      2. b. Obtain one written estimate of the cost of automobile repairs from a provider who operates an automobile repair business, which contains:

         1. 1. The name, address, and telephone number of the provider;
         2. 2. A description of the types of repairs in the form of an itemized list of parts, labor, and associated costs which are auto-body and mechanical repairs necessary to make the automobile functional;
         3. 3. A statement indicating that in the provider’s professional judgment the automobile repair is reasonable based on the roadworthiness and reliability of the car; and
         4. 4. The dated signature of the provider;
   3. (3) The written estimate as described in (2)b. above shall be submitted to an NHEP representative for prior approval for the automobile repair assistance;
   4. (4) The NHEP representative shall review the written estimate for completeness and ensure that it meets the requirements prior to approving the repair;
   5. (5) Automobile repair assistance shall be approved by an NHEP representative in advance of the actual service(s) to be provided, except in an emergency in which the vehicle required towing and repairs are needed to make it functional; and
   6. (6) Repairs shall be performed by a New Hampshire registered automotive provider of the NHEP participant’s choice.

Source. #14299, eff 7-1-25, EXPIRES: 7-1-35