How To Apply For Indiana Food Stamps

View the information below if you are interested in applying for food stamps in Indiana. It is important that you have all the documentation and information needed so the application process is not delayed. If you still have questions or issues about applying for food stamps, known as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), then you can call the Indiana SNAP hotline at 800-403-0864. The department that handles this program is called the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides food assistance to low and no income people and families living in the United States. It is a federal aid program administered by the Food and Nutrition Service of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), however, distribution of benefits occurs at the state level. In Indiana, the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) is responsible for ensuring federal regulations are initially implemented and consistently applied in each county.

Indiana SNAP eligibility requirements

To qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), applicants must meet certain non-financial and financial requirements. Non-financial requirements include state residency, citizenship/alien status, work registration and cooperation with the IMPACT (job training) program. Financial criteria include income and asset limits.

The asset/resource limits are $2,250 per household except for households containing a member who is disabled or age 60 or older; then the limit is $3,250. Assets include bank accounts, cash, real estate, personal property, vehicles, etc. The household's home and surrounding lot, household goods and personal belongings and life insurance policies are not counted as assets in the SNAP program.

All households (except those with elderly or disabled members) must pass a gross income test (130 percent of poverty) to qualify for SNAP benefits. The gross income is per household size and based on the gross monthly income received by all household members.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) has two income limits: gross income and net income. Gross income is your total income, before taxes or any deductions. Net income is determined by subtracting certain allowable deductions from the gross income.

Examples of allowable deductions are expenses such as housing costs, court ordered child support payments, child care or dependent care payments, certain self-employment expenses, and monthly medical expenses over $35 for elderly (at least 60 years of age) and people with disabilities.

Most households have to meet both gross and net income limits to qualify for SNAP. If everyone in your household receives Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or TANF (cash assistance), income limits do not apply.

Households with members who are elderly or disabled, as well as households which pass the gross income test, must also pass a net test to qualify. Elderly households are those which contain members age 60 or older. Disabled members are those who receive disability payments, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI), veteran's disability, or Medicaid as a blind or disabled individual.

If the household has net income below the above amounts, and meets all other criteria, the SNAP allotment received is based on the household size and net monthly income. The maximum amount of SNAP received is also shown in the table above.

Please note that this is the maximum amount a household will receive based on $0 income. The greater the household’s net income, a lesser amount of SNAP benefits will be received.

Indiana Work requirements for SNAP benefits

For SNAP clients between the ages of 18 and 49 who are not disabled and do not have children or other dependents, benefits are limited to three months in a 36 month period unless they are:

• Working an average of 20 hours per week for a total of 80 hours per month
• Participating in at least 20 hours a week of approved employment and training activities such as through the Indiana Manpower Placement and Comprehensive Training (IMPACT) program
• Participating in a combination of work and employment and training activities for at least 20 hours a week
• Participating in a Community Workforce Experience (CWEP) "workfare" activity for the required hours

To help clients qualify for jobs and become self-sufficient, FSSA offers employment and training services to any SNAP recipient at no cost to the recipient. These services include job search, job readiness and job placement assistance. Additional services such as transportation to training or job interviews and appropriate clothing needed for work are also available.

All vehicles used for household transportation regardless of value, license or mechanical condition are exempt from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and are not factored in for qualification. Only recreational vehicles or those not used for household transportation will have the equity value counted in the resource determination.

Normally the DFR office has 30 days to make a decision on your case; however, if you meet certain criteria you may be determined to be eligible for expedited service which means you should have your benefits within seven days of applying. The determination about expedited service is made when you turn in your application based on the information provided at that time.

When an application is turned in it is reviewed for expedited (or emergency) service. This review is based on the information entered on the application. It is important for you to fill out the expedited questions on the application so you can be considered for this service. If you qualify, you will be given an interview appointment for the same day or the following day and if you qualify for expedited benefits you will receive them by the 7th day after applying. Benefits are never received the same day as the application. To qualify for expedited benefits you must:

• Have less than $150 in gross monthly income and liquid resources (cash/ checking/savings) of $100 or less in the month of the application
• Have monthly rent/mortgage and utilities that are more than your gross monthly income and liquid resources
• The only verification needed for the first month is identity. Other verification may be pending until up to the 30th day. You will not receive any more benefits until the pended verification is provided

At your interview you will need to provide the names, dates of birth, and Social Security Numbers for all persons living in your home. In addition you will need to verify the income received by each person in your household. Also, you will need to provide proof of any court ordered child support paid by a member of your household as well as any payments for shelter (rent or mortgage and utility costs). If there is a member who is disabled or over age 60 and has out of pocket medical expenses (that is not covered by Medicare, Medicaid or other insurance that you are responsible to pay) you will need to provide verification to get a deduction for these expenses. Any dependent child or adult care costs should also be provided. There may also be other verification requested depending on your household’s specific situation.

When you are at your interview appointment, the worker will ask questions about household composition, income, resources, and other pertinent information needed to determine eligibility. You will be given or mailed a form listing all needed information with a due date. The information should be received by the worker on or before that date. You will be mailed a notice regarding your eligibility after your case has been processed and your eligibility has been determined. The notice lists your appeal rights if you do not agree with the decision.

If you are a student and want to receive SNAP benefits you must meet one of several criteria in order to be eligible to receive benefits:

• They must be working at least 20 hours per week (and receiving pay for the work)
• Be responsible for a child under six years old
• Be a single parent with a child under 12
• Participating in a higher education funded by Workforce Investment Act
• Receiving TANF benefits or participating in a work and training program

Apply for Indiana food stamps

Prior to applying for SNAP benefits you can use their pre-screening tool to see if you qualify. This is not considered an application. To apply for SNAP benefits online, click here. If you need to check the status, report a change or receive proof of eligibility, click here. If you prefer to apply in person you will need to contact your local Division of Family Resources office. You can call them at 800-403-0864, or to view a map and get a printable directory of all DFR offices, click here. To find a DFR office using their online search tool, click here.