IN · benefits by state
Indiana benefits: SNAP, Medicaid, ACA, WIC and Section 8
Indiana keeps a savings test in SNAP under a slightly higher ceiling than federal law, expanded Medicaid for adults, and runs children's coverage above Medicaid as Hoosier Healthwise.
Federal and Indiana figures read on official sources on · Checked by Radif Partners · How we calculate
- SNAP maximum, 4 people
- $1,023
- FY 2027, from October 1, 2026
- SNAP gross income limit, 3 people
- $2,960/mo
- 130% of poverty (BBCE)
- Medicaid, single adult
- $1,835/mo
- 138% of poverty
- Children, family of 3
- $5,805/mo
- 255% of poverty, CHIP
- WIC limit, 3 people
- $50,542/yr
- 185% of poverty, to June 30, 2027
- Section 8 very low income, 4 people
- $42,400 to $55,150
- 92 counties or towns, FY 2026
Indiana tests SNAP at the federal 130% gross income line, $1,729 a month for one person and $2,960 for three in fiscal year 2027, and keeps a $5,000 asset limit under its broad-based categorical eligibility. The Division of Family Resources at the Family and Social Services Administration runs the program. A disabled woman in Indianapolis living alone on $1,350 of disability benefits, with $725 rent and $110 of monthly medical costs, would receive about $193 a month with $4,900 saved, and $0 with $5,200. Indiana expanded Medicaid, so adults qualify up to $1,835 a month for one person and parents to the same 138% of poverty. Children are covered by Medicaid and Hoosier Healthwise up to 255%, $5,805 a month for a family of three, and Marketplace plans are on HealthCare.gov.
Household income in Indiana
105% of poverty
$28,800 a year against the 2026 guideline of $27,320 for 3 people
- SNAP food benefitsFY 2027 amounts; $486 utility allowance usedLikely eligible$517/mo
- Medicaid for the parentsIndiana: 138% of the poverty guidelineWithin the limitlimit $3,141/mo
- Medicaid or CHIP for the childrenChildren 6 to 18, 255% of the guidelineWithin the CHIP limitlimit $5,805/mo
- Marketplace premium tax creditAmount depends on the benchmark premium where you liveMedicaid comes first108% of 2025 FPL
- Earned income tax credit (2026)2 qualifying children, single or head of householdCredit at tax time$6,282/yr
- WIC (pregnancy or a child under 5)Nutrition risk is assessed at the WIC clinicWithin 185% of povertylimit $50,542/yr
- Section 8 housing voucherLimits are set by county: check yours in the Section 8 lookup.
A first screening under each program's published 2026 rules; every agency counts income and household its own way and decides on your application. How this is calculated.
$200 over the savings line
The USDA chart gives Indiana a $5,000 resource limit alongside the 130% gross test (USDA BBCE chart). For a household with an older or disabled member, federal law already allows $4,750, so the categorical rule adds only $250 of room; for other households it raises the federal $3,000 by $2,000. A savings balance just above $5,000 fails both routes.
The Indianapolis example shows the effect. Her $1,350 of disability income is under the $1,729 line. The $217 standard deduction and $75 of medical costs above the $35 threshold leave $1,058. Rent plus the $486 utility allowance is $1,211; as a disabled person she has no cap, so $682 is deducted. Net income is $376, 30% of it $113, and the one-person maximum of $306 gives $193. With $5,200 in the bank, her income does not change at all, yet she is over both the Indiana and the federal resource limit and the estimate becomes $0. What counts as a resource is set by federal rules; the home and most retirement accounts are excluded. For people on fixed incomes, the senior and disability rules explain the uncapped shelter deduction.
Indiana Medicaid, parents and Hoosier Healthwise
On paper, Indiana's parent group is a dollar standard CMS converts to 15% of poverty (CMS eligibility levels). Since the expansion, parents also fall in the adult group to 138%. A father of two in Fort Wayne earning $1,500 part time is at 66% of the guideline and qualifies as an expansion adult. Pregnant women and babies are covered to 213% and 255%; older children are on Medicaid to 163%, and Hoosier Healthwise carries them to 255% (Hoosier Healthwise). Above those lines, HealthCare.gov sells 2026 plans with the premium tax credit.
255% of the 2026 poverty guideline for your household
255% of poverty, per year
$69,666
| Per month | $5,806 |
| Per week | $1,340 |
| 100% guideline (2026) | $27,320 |
Indianapolis and the county floor
The Indianapolis metro counties share Indiana's top very low income limit for four, $55,150, which also applies to Boone County and Hamilton. Lake County, in the Chicago orbit, is at $50,450, Allen County, around Fort Wayne, at $47,550, Vanderburgh County, around Evansville, at $46,500 and St. Joseph County, around South Bend, at $44,050. Adams County and many rural counties sit at $42,400. Illinois uses a 165% SNAP line, Ohio the federal one without a savings test, and Michigan 200%.
SNAP rules in Indiana, FY 2027
Run by the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, Division of Family Resources · apply online. All households: gross income up to 130% of the poverty guideline, assets up to $5,000.
| Household | Gross income limit | Net income limit | Maximum benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,729 | $1,330 | $306 |
| 2 | $2,345 | $1,804 | $562 |
| 3 | $2,960 | $2,277 | $808 |
| 4 | $3,575 | $2,750 | $1,023 |
| 5 | $4,191 | $3,224 | $1,217 |
| 6 | $4,806 | $3,697 | $1,463 |
| 7 | $5,421 | $4,170 | $1,616 |
| 8 | $6,037 | $4,644 | $1,841 |
| Allowance area | Heating or cooling (HCSUA) | Other utilities (LUA) | Telephone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana | $486 | $283 | $36 |
Indiana Medicaid (Medicaid) and CHIP income limits in Indiana
Indiana covers adults up to 138% of the poverty guideline under the ACA expansion. Children's coverage above Medicaid is called Hoosier Healthwise. Agency: Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) · apply. Marketplace for 2026: HealthCare.gov.
| Group | Limit (% of poverty) | Program | 1 or 2 people | 3 people | 4 people |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adults 19 to 64 without children | 138% | Medicaid (adult group) | $1,835 | $3,141 | $3,795 |
| Parents and caretakers | 138% | Medicaid (adult group) | $2,488 | $3,141 | $3,795 |
| Pregnant women | 213% | Medicaid | $3,841 | $4,849 | $5,857 |
| Babies under 1 | 255% | CHIP | $4,598 | $5,805 | $7,012 |
| Children 1 to 5 | 255% | CHIP | $4,598 | $5,805 | $7,012 |
| Children 6 to 18 | 255% | CHIP | $4,598 | $5,805 | $7,012 |
Section 8 income limits by county in Indiana
HUD sets the limits for each of the 92 counties or towns of Indiana (73 HUD areas). For a family of four, the very low income limit that opens a Housing Choice Voucher ranges from $42,400 (Adams County) to $55,150 (Boone County).
Adams County, IN: FY 2026 income limits
Within the voucher limit
Very low income limit for 3: $38,200 a year
| Extremely low income (ELI), 3 people | $27,320 |
| Very low income (50%), the voucher limit | $38,200 |
| Low income (80%) | $61,100 |
| Your band | Very low income (50%) |
| Adjusted income after HUD deductions | $29,500 a year |
| Estimated tenant payment (30% of adjusted income) | $738 a month |
HUD FY 2026 limits (effective May 1, 2026) and 2026 deductions ($500 per dependent, $550 for an elderly or disabled family). The housing authority decides, and most have waiting lists. How this is calculated.