About SNAP
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides food assistance to low- and no-income individuals and families living in the United States. It is a federal aid program administered by the Food and Nutrition Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture; however, distribution of benefits occurs at the state level.
In Indiana, the Family and Social Services Administration Division of Family Resources is responsible for ensuring federal regulations are initially implemented and consistently applied in each county.
This program is designed to raise the nutritional level of low-income households by providing low-income individuals and families the ability to buy nutritious food through Electronic Benefits Transfer cards.
Qualifying for SNAP
To qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, applicants must meet certain non-financial and financial requirements. Non-financial requirements include state residency, citizenship/alien status, work registration and cooperation with IMPACT, a job training program. Financial criteria include income and asset limits.
The asset/resource limits are $5,000 for most households. 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% 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. Click here for SNAP income limits.
How to apply
Individuals may apply for SNAP online through the FSSA Benefits Portal, by clicking here. Individuals who do not have access to a computer or internet can apply at a local DFR office. To find your local DFR office click here.
Applying for benefits
- Where can I get an application?
Individuals may apply for SNAP online through the FSSA Benefits Portal, by clicking here. Individuals who do not have access to a computer or internet can apply at a local DFR office. To find your local DFR office click here.
- What do I have to provide when I apply?
You will be asked 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 and resources of 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 age 60 and over 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.
- What happens at the 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 DFR 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.
- Who must be included on my SNAP application?
Certain persons living together must be included and are considered in a mandatory relationship. This includes married persons, children under age 22 who live with their parent(s) and persons who eat together. Other persons may not receive benefits such as ineligible aliens, students who do not meet certain criteria, persons who have previously been convicted of a SNAP fraud and boarders.
Income and Spending
- Do vehicles count as a resource or income?
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.
- Can you get SNAP benefits if you get SSI, disability-related Medicaid or other disability or insurance benefits?
- Can you get SNAP benefits if you have any resources?
Most households are limited to $5,000 in resources.
- What income is countable for SNAP?
Most common income is countable, including earnings, unemployment compensation benefits, Social Security, Social Security Insurance, pensions and contributions. There are some types of unearned income that are exempt by federal law.
- What can I buy with my SNAP benefits?
You can use your benefits like cash to buy food items at any store, supermarket, co-op or farmers market approved by the USDA. Items that can be purchased with SNAP benefits include breads and cereals, fruits and vegetables, meats, fish and poultry, dairy products and seeds and plants which produce food for the household to eat.
- How do I spend my SNAP benefits?
Once it is determined that you are eligible for SNAP benefits, an electronic request for a “Hoosier Works” card is automatically made and a card is mailed to your reported mailing address. You should normally receive it within 3-5 business days. If you have previously received SNAP benefits under your name you will not be mailed a new Hoosier Works card; your benefits will be put on your old card. If you have lost your old card or it is damaged you will need to call Customer Service at 1-877-768-5098 to obtain a new card. Once this is done the old card will no longer work.
- Can I purchase groceries online using SNAP Benefits?
SNAP recipients in Indiana may use their Hoosier Works EBT cards to purchase groceries online for pickup or delivery. Click on this link to the federal SNAP website, and select Indiana for a current list of retailers accepting SNAP payments in Indiana.
Delivery fees that may apply to the online purchase may not be paid with SNAP benefits.
If SNAP recipients have any problems using their card for ordering, they should call the number on the back of their Hoosier Works EBT card for customer service. - What are the SNAP income limits?
SNAP income limits are available by clicking here.
General information
- How is SNAP used?
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits are used like cash to buy eligible items at any store, supermarket, farmers market or co-op approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. SNAP can only be used for food and for plants and seeds to grow food to eat. Sales tax cannot be charged on items bought with SNAP.
Indiana uses an Electronic Benefits Transfer system to distribute SNAP benefits. Benefits are accessed with a plastic Hoosier Works card. The Hoosier Works EBT card is similar to commercial debit and ATM cards; it has a unique 16-digit account number, a magnetic strip on the back and only works with a four-digit Personal Identification Number selected by the participant.
The application process, eligibility requirements and the amount of assistance received did not change with the EBT system. - When will eligible households receive benefits?
Eligible households that are not already certified to receive SNAP and will have a monthly gross income of less than $150 AND less than $100 in cash/checking/savings in the month of application or have monthly housing costs that exceed their gross monthly income and cash/checking/savings for the month of application will receive benefits within seven days from the date of application. Other households will receive notification of determination within thirty days from the date of application.
This chart shows the dates when SNAP recipients receive benefits monthly, based on the first letter of the recipient’s last name. The recipient is the person whose name appears on the front of the Hoosier Works (EBT) card.
Recipient's last name starts with:Deposit date:Recipient's last name starts with Recipient's last name starts with A/B 5th C/D 7th E/F/G 9th H/I 11th J/K/L 13th M/N 15th O/P/Q/R 17th S 19th T/U/V 21th W/X/Y/Z 23rd - How can I check my SNAP balance?
To check your SNAP balance please click here.
- If my SNAP benefits are denied, can I appeal?
If you disagree with any action affecting your eligibility or benefits, you may file an appeal. To do so, contact the Division of Family Resources either in person, by telephone or in writing. An appeal is a request for a fair hearing before a representative of the Office of Administrative Law Proceedings for the purpose of deciding whether the action proposed or taken by the local Division of Family Resources is correct.
If you feel you are being discriminated against, write immediately to the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, 402 W. Washington St., Room W363, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204.
To apply for any of the above services, contact the Division of Family Resources Office in your county of residence or call 800-403-0864. - Are students eligible for SNAP?
A student 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.
Students attending an institution of higher education, like a college, university, trade school, or technical school more than half-time are eligible for SNAP IF they meet an exemption AND meet all other SNAP eligibility requirements. You can ask your school what qualifies as “half-time.”
The exemptions for students are listed in section 3210.15.35.05 of the policy manual available at this link. - How do I repay my SNAP debt online?
You may repay your SNAP debt by clicking here.
- Who are the current providers for SNAP Outreach; SNAP Education; SNAP Employment & Training?
Providers for Federal Fiscal Year 2025 (Oct. 1, 2024 - Sept. 30, 2025)
- SNAP Outreach: Feeding Indiana’s Hungry; Food Finders Food Bank; Gleaner’s Food Bank; Food Bank of Northwest Indiana; Eskenazi Health, Hoosier Hills Food Bank
- SNAP Education: Indiana Department of Health and Purdue Extension
- SNAP Employment and Training (IMPACT): Equus
- USDA Nondiscrimination Statement
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) state or local agencies, and their subrecipients, must post the following Nondiscrimination Statement:
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religious creed, disability, age, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the agency (state or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online by clicking here, from any USDA office, by calling (833) 620-1071, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to:- Mail: Food and Nutrition Service, USDA 1320 Braddock Place, Room 334 Alexandria, VA 22314; or
- Fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or 3.
- Email: FNSCIVILRIGHTSCOMPLAINTS@usda.gov
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.