INDIANA

This is an unofficial benefits estimator and not an application. No personal data is collected or stored. Actual amounts may vary based on individual circumstances, location, eligibility criteria, and recent data updates at the time of application.

Indiana Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

Indiana TANF is a program that provides cash assistance and supportive services to assist families with children under age 18, helping them achieve economic self-sufficiency.

Apart from cash aid, benefits include vouchers for child care and transportation assistance, “employment support”, intended to meet the basic needs of families.

As a condition of eligibility for cash assistance, non-exempt adult TANF applicants and recipients are required to participate in job search services available through IMPACT, Indiana’s employment and training program.

How much TANF for a family of 4 in Indiana?

Payments vary based on the family’s countable income up to the maximum allowable amount of $617 for a family of 4 with little or no income.

How do I apply for TANF in Indiana?

To see if you qualify, apply for, and manage current TANF benefits, visit Indiana’s FSSA Benefits Portal  or for assistance, call

FSSA Division of Family Resources
(800) 403-0864

Indiana Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Indiana SNAP, formerly known as Food Stamps, is a 100% federally-funded program that provides food assistance to very low income individuals and families in Indiana.

Most families must meet both gross and net income limits to qualify for SNAP. Those receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or TANF are automatically eligible for SNAP.

In Indiana, participants in SNAP access their EBT benefits using the “Hoosier Works” card that works like a bank debit card used for purchases at any store that accepts food assistance.

How do I sign up for food stamps in Indiana?

You can apply for SNAP online through the Benefits Portal , by mail, by fax, or in person at your county Division of Family Resources (DFR) office.

Division of Family Resources
(800) 403-0864

Indiana Special Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

Indiana WIC provides supplemental foods, nutrition education and referrals to health care to low-income, nutritionally at risk: pregnant women, infants, and children under the age of 5.

Families receiving Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or TANF are automatically income eligible for the Indiana WIC Program.

If you are not a recipient of these other programs, check the monthly income chart below to see if your family might qualify for WIC.

How do I apply for WIC in Indiana?

If you think you qualify for WIC assistance, call toll-free (800) 522-0874 to find the WIC clinic nearest you and set up a certification appointment.

Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP)

Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP) 2.0 — the State’s alternative to traditional Medicaid, provides health insurance for uninsured adult Hoosiers with incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty level.

There are two HIP plans . Each plan has different benefits.

HIP PLUS

HIP Plus provides the best value coverage, including dental, vision and chiropractic services. HIP Plus provides health coverage for a low, predictable monthly cost, as low as $1 a month for those earning less than $21,597.

In the HIP program, the first $2,500 of medical expenses for covered services are paid with the contribution you’ve made to your POWER Account, which is a special savings account  set up in your name.

HIP BASIC

HIP Basic has no premiums but offers limited benefits. Unlike HIP Plus, you have to make a payment every time you receive a health care service.

Copayments can cost between $4 to $8 per doctor visit ¹ or prescription filled and may be as high as $75 per hospital stay.

HIP MATERNITY

HIP offers enhanced benefits for pregnant members, called HIP Maternity, covering vision, dental, chiropractic care, and non-emergency rides at no cost.

Benefits last throughout pregnancy and for 12 months after the last day of pregnancy.

What is the income limit for Medicaid in Indiana?

Individual adults age 19—64 with annual income of up to $1,800 may qualify for the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP). Income limits are higher for families. Pregnant women and newborns qualify with income up to 213%.

How do I apply for Indiana Medicaid?

Applications are available online , by mail or by visiting your local Division of Family Resources (DFR) office. Call (877) GET-HIP-9 to find more information about the application process.

Presumptive Eligibility for Pregnant Women

Pregnant women who are not currently receiving Medicaid and need immediate medical attention may apply for Presumptive Eligibility for Pregnant Women that covers doctor visits, tests, lab work and other care for your pregnancy.

The income requirements for temporary PE coverage are the same as those for Medicaid or Healthy Indiana Plan coverage.

Please call (800) 889-9949 to find a designated clinic or doctor your area. This Presumptive Eligibility page  provides you with more information about the program.

Indiana Hoosier Healthwise (HHW)

Hoosier Healthwise is a health insurance program for eligible Indiana children up to age 19, and pregnant women who are not covered by Medicaid.

The program covers medical care like doctor visits, prescription medicine, mental health care, dental care, hospitalizations, surgeries, and family planning, at little or no cost.

When you enroll with Hoosier Healthwise, you must select a health plan among the following:

• Anthem
• CareSource
• Managed Health Services
• MDwise ²

There are two benefit packages within Hoosier Healthwise:

Package A

For children and pregnant women. Members do not have any cost sharing obligations.

Package C

For children enrolled in CHIP. There is a small monthly premium payment and co-pay for some services based on family income .

What is the income limit for Hoosier Healthwise?

Chidren from families with income up to 255% of the federal poverty level can qualify for CHIP through Hoosier Healthwise. Pregnant women who meet the income guidelines  are also eligible for benefits.

If you think you or your family may be eligible for Hoosier Healthwise, you may apply online  or call the Hoosier Healthwise Helpline at (800) 889-9949. Once you submit your complete application, it can take up to 90 days to determine if you are eligible.

Indiana Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF)

Indiana is reimplementing a waitlist for two of its child care voucher programs: the Child Care Development Fund and On My Way Pre-K. Due to a lack of funding, Indiana has announced that they will not issue new child care vouchers to families until at least 2027 .

The purpose of the Indiana’s Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) is to provide financial assistance with child care costs to eligible working families.

Families who qualify will receive a voucher from the local department of social services to take to the provider of their choice.

Priority is first assigned to On My Way Pre-K applicants, families earning below 100% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), and children of child care workers.

What is the income limit for child care assistance in Indiana?

Effective July 1, 2023, initial income eligibility  for CCDF is set at 140% of the federal poverty level, or about $3,109 in monthly income for a family of three.

How do I apply for child care assistance in Indiana?

Families can now apply for CCDF or On My Way Pre-K using a new, easier-to-use online application called “Early Ed Connect” where you can now apply for multiple children in one application.

If you need help locating a CCDF eligible provider, please call
(800) 299-1627

Indiana On My Way Pre-K

Indiana’s On My Way Pre-K provides access to FREE pre-kindergarten education for Indiana’s Pre-K to 4-year-old children from low-income families who are either working, going to school, or attending job training.

For each school year from August through June, a child in Indiana may qualify for an On My Way Pre-K voucher if:

• They turn 4 years old by August 1 of the current year and will start kindergarten the following year.
• Their household income is below 140% of the federal poverty level.
• Their parent or guardian is working, in school, in job training, or actively seeking employment.

Eligible families may choose any of the approved  On My Way Pre-K program providers located across the state, which may include public or private schools, licensed child care centers, licensed family homes, or registered ministries.

What is the income limit for On My Way Pre-K in Indiana?

Family income eligibility is now set at 140% of the federal poverty level, with priority is given to families whose income falls below 100% of the federal poverty line, and children of child care workers.

Families who are income eligible may apply online via Early Ed Connect  or in person at their local intake agent in which they reside.

As slots are limited in each county, families will be chosen on a first come-first served basis in the order in which applications are received.

Indiana National School Lunch Program (NSLP)

Indiana’s National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is a meal program that provides free or discounted school meals to eligible children from families with incomes that fall below certain “poverty guidelines ”.

Under federal guidelines, ³ only students from families whose incomes are at or below 130% of the poverty line are eligible for free breakfast and lunch at school. Families with incomes between 130% and 185% of the poverty line pay a reduced price for meals.

How to apply for free lunch in Indiana?

You may apply for free school meals any time during the school year by submitting an application directly to your school or district.

Indiana Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)

The Indiana SUN Bucks (Summer EBT) program is closed  and will not be operating in summer 2025.

Indiana’s Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) ensures all children in low-income area receive proper nutrition during the months of June, July, and August when school is not in session.

Children 18 and younger may receive free, nutritious meals and snacks at more than 1,000 SFSP Meal Sites  throughout Indiana.

Meals and snacks are also available to persons with disabilities, over age 18, who participate in school programs for people who are mentally or physically disabled.

For additional information about SFSPC, you may text “summer meals” or “verano” to (914) 342-7744 or call the National Hunger Hotline at (866)-3-HUNGRY.

Indiana Energy Assistance Program (EAP)

LIHEAP is a federally-funded program that helps qualifying households with the costs for heating during the winter months, with cooling assistance offered when funding is available. Throughout Indiana, LIHEAP is known as the Energy Assistance Program (EAP).

Eligible households may receive a one-time credit of up to $675. Priority is given to seniors, people with disabilities, and households with young children.

What is the income limit for energy assistance in Indiana?

To qualify for Indiana’s Energy Assistance Program (EAP), you must be an Indiana resident with a household income at or below 60% of the State Median Income (SMI).

How do I apply for energy assistance in Indiana?

Applications for EAP can be submitted through your local Community Action Agency, known as a Local Service Provider (LSP) ⁴, or online through the Indiana EAP Client Portal .

Indiana Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP)

NOTICE: Funding is no longer available for LIHWAP. Households may not receive LIHWAP benefits at this time.

Indiana LIHWAP is a temporary emergency program designed to help low-income households and families who have fallen behind on their water and wastewater bills.

Households that meet the EAP income eligibility requirements are also deemed as categorically income-eligible for LIHWAP assistance. Priority is given to households with the elderly, disabled or a young child under age 6.

How can I get help with my water bill in Indiana?

LIHWAP can only be applied through the Energy Assistance Program (EAP) application. When completing the EAP application, simply check a box to apply for water assistance and submit your most recent bill.

Indiana Unemployment Insurance

Indiana Unemployment Insurance (UI) provides temporary income replacement to Indiana workers who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own.

In order to be eligible for unemployment benefits, you must have earned a minimum amount of wages in a recent ‘base period’ and must have:

1. at least $4,200 in the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters (base period),
2. with at least $2,500 earned in the last two quarters of the base period, and
3. total base-period wages of at least 1.5 times the amount you earned in your highest paid quarter.

For example, if your highest paid quarter was $4,200, your total base-period earnings must be at least $6,300 ($4,200 × 1.5) to qualify.

What is the maximum unemployment benefit in Indiana?

Senate Bill 123  would reduce the current time limit for those on unemployment benefits from 26 weeks to 14 weeks, but offer a two-week extension if claimants are actively job-hunting and making progress in an approved job training program.

Depending on how much you have earned in your qualifying period, you may receive up to $390 per week for a maximum of 26 weeks of unemployment benefits per year.

How do I apply for unemployment benefits in Indiana?

All claims for unemployment benefits in Indiana must be filed through Uplink CSS , the automated self-service system for unemployment insurance claims in Indiana.

Alternatively, you may go to your nearest WorkOne Center  as soon as you become unemployed.

As a condition of eligibility, you are required by the law to be registered with Indiana’s job matching service, Indiana Career Connect  within ten (10) days of filing your claim.

Frank O’Bannon Grant

Frank O’Bannon Grant, formerly known as the Indiana Higher Education Grant, Indiana’s primary need-based program for in-state students attending in-state colleges.

The grant is awarded on a “need-based” basis, with a maximum of $10,600 for private institutions or $5,300 for public institutions.

Students receiving the Frank O’Bannon Grant are subject to credit completion requirements. Those with fewer than 12 credit hours will no longer qualify for the grant.

To be considered for this grant, you must submit a valid FAFSA by April 15 of the year preceding the academic year in which you plan to enroll.

Adult Student Grant

As part of the “You Can Go Back” campaign, working adults with college credits but without a college degree can receive up to $2,000 to continue their education.

The level of aid a student is eligible to receive each academic year is determined by their financial need, which is calculated using the Student Aid Index (SAI).

To be considered for Adult Student Grant, submit both your FAFSA and the Adult Student Grant Application as soon as possible after October 1, as awards are made on a first-come, first-served basis.

Indiana Earned Income Tax Credit

The EITC is often cited as one of the most effective anti-poverty programs, lifting more children out of poverty than any other programs in the nation.

Indiana piggybacks onto the federal EITC by adding an additional 10% to the federal allocation and it’s fully refundable. However, Indiana has separated itself from the federal guidelines by adopting different income thresholds.

As a result, married couples who jointly file their taxes will have a higher income limit, while taxpayers with three or more dependents are eligible for greater credit.

How much is Indiana Earned Income Credit?

Can I get a refund if I owe no tax?

If your Indiana EITC is $805 and you owe $0 in state income tax, and you receive the full $805 as a refund as illustrated in the table below:

To claim Indiana’s EIC, you must complete and attach Schedule IN-EIC to your Indiana tax return. If you have a qualifying child, you must file using Form 1040 or 1040-SR, and attach Schedule EIC.