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Hooksett trims family services 'town welfare' budget to $58,000, officials cite lower utilization and outside aid
Summary
Family Services Director Trish Caruso presented a $145,866 budget that reduces the town welfare line from $68,000 to $58,000, citing lower demand and use of outside agency funding; committee members asked about seasonal spikes and federal-program risks.
Family Services Director Trish Caruso told the Hooksett Budget Committee the department's 2026 proposed budget is $145,866, a 5.68% decrease from the prior year driven mostly by salary and benefit line changes and a $10,000 reduction in the town welfare line.
Caruso described the town welfare line as the account the department uses to pay vendors (landlords, utilities and other vendors) on behalf of clients rather than giving direct cash to residents. "The well welfare line is where we pay out to not the clients ... If they need help with their rent, a check would be sent to the landlord. If they need help with their utility bills, check would be sent to Eversource or Liberty," Caruso said.
Caruso and Town Administrator Andre told the committee the department draws on outside agencies and program referrals to limit use of town funds; Caruso said she recently secured $12,040 from other agencies to cover a client's rent arrears. Committee members asked whether the reduced welfare line could leave the department short if demand spikes in winter; staff replied the line was adjusted after reviewing recent actuals and past spikes and that they did not want to reduce it further below $58,000.
Committee members questioned several line items and asked for more clarity about the accounting category labeled "other," which accounts for roughly 61% of Family Services' budget and groups items such as visiting nurses, transportation, telephone and contracted services. Finance Director Christine Tewksbury said the town's accounting software groups many program contracts into that label and offered to break the category into more granular lines in future presentations.
Transportation and community-action programs drew attention. Caruso said Hooksett participates in a regional transit program run by Manchester-area providers and the New Hampshire Department of Transportation; Hooksett pays roughly 20% of service costs not covered by other agencies. Committee members calculated an average cost per ride of about $12–$14 and noted ridership and service area are expanding to include employment trips and a wider geography.
Why this matters: The town welfare line funds immediate, vendor-paid assistance for residents facing housing, utility or emergency needs. The committee balanced fiscal restraint against the risk of underfunding during high-demand months and possible changes to federal benefit programs.
What was not decided: The committee did not change the proposed $58,000 welfare line during this meeting. Staff will continue monitoring federal program changes and seasonal demand.
