Indiana Hardship Relief: Township Assistance, TANF, Energy Assistance, and 211

What “Indiana hardship relief” really means

It is a search phrase, not a program. The state and federal governments fund Indiana’s safety net but do not mail grants to individuals; HHS states that “the federal government does not provide TANF cash assistance directly to the public,” on its TANF overview. The real programs:

How Indiana township assistance works

Indiana is one of the few states that still runs local “poor relief,” now called township assistance. Under Indiana Code Title 12, Article 20, the township trustee must investigate an application and, once an emergency is determined, provide temporary aid for immediate needs; before longer-term help, the trustee considers whether other resources could meet the need. In an emergency, the usual requirement to apply for other public assistance first does not apply. Townships use the state definition of emergency: an unpredictable circumstance that puts health or safety at risk and cannot be fixed in time by means other than township assistance.

Each township publishes yearly standards covering what it pays (often rent, utilities, food, shelter, medical needs, and burial), its income limits, and the documents it requires. For example, Indianapolis’s Center Township accepts walk-ins in an emergency, first come, first served, according to its 2026 standards, while other applicants generally need an appointment. Aid usually goes directly to the landlord or utility. If you are denied, the trustee must give a written decision, and you can appeal to the county commissioners.

Find your trustee by calling 211 or searching your township name on in.gov/townships. Many charities in Indiana will ask whether you applied to the trustee first, so start there.

Cash help through Indiana TANF

TANF pays monthly cash to very-low-income families with children and requires work participation through the IMPACT program unless exempt. The maximum for a family of three is $513 a month, about 24% of the poverty line, according to the National Center for Children in Poverty’s 2025–26 profile; for decades before that the amount was $288. Adults are limited to 24 months of benefits under Indiana’s state limit (60 months federal), with exceptions. Apply through FSSA Benefits Portal or a Division of Family Resources office.

The Indiana Energy Assistance Program

The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority runs the Energy Assistance Program (EAP), Indiana’s LIHEAP. IHCDA describes EAP as a one-time annual benefit that can help with the high cost of home energy and can help if you are disconnected or about to be disconnected, on its LIHEAP page. The 2026–27 season opened October 1, 2026, and applications are accepted until April 30, 2027 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern. Online applications now go through a new system called LITT instead of EAPConnect. Income is judged on the household’s last three months of pay, with a limit set at about 60% of state median income; IndyEAP, the Marion County provider, lists three-month limits of $8,658 for one person, $13,987 for three, and $16,651 for four for this season. Confirm your own figure with your provider, since IHCDA’s site was not loading when we checked on November 4. You can apply online, by mail, or in person; for in-person help or a paper form, contact your Local Service Provider (usually the community action agency). Indiana’s winter moratorium also protects EAP-eligible households from utility disconnection from December 1 through March 15 once they apply. Nationally, the office finder and hotline (1-866-674-6327) are at EnergyHelp.us.

Help for adults without children

• Township assistance is available to any eligible resident, with or without children.
• SNAP: from Oct. 1, 2026 – Sept. 30, 2027, up to $306 a month for one person if gross income is at or below $1,729. Estimate with our SNAP calculator.
• Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP): Indiana’s Medicaid expansion for adults 19–64 up to 138% of poverty.
• EAP for energy; Lifeline for phone or internet.
• Unemployment insurance through the Department of Workforce Development; see our unemployment guide.
• Charities through Indiana 211: Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, St. Vincent de Paul, and local churches.

What documents do I need to apply?

Expect to show photo ID, Social Security numbers for the people applying, proof of income for the last 30 days, and proof of where you live, plus any paper that shows the emergency itself. Our document checklist explains what counts for each item and what to do if something is missing. If you don't have everything yet, apply anyway and ask the office how long you have to bring the rest.

How to apply, step by step

1. Call or visit your township trustee the day you get an eviction or shutoff notice; bring ID, Social Security cards, proof of income for the last 30 days, the lease or bill, and the notice.
2. Apply for SNAP, TANF, and HIP through the FSSA Benefits Portal or a DFR office.
3. Apply for EAP now, before the April 30, 2027 deadline, through IHCDA online or your local service provider.
4. Dial Indiana 211 for charities, rent funds, and legal aid (Indiana Legal Services).

For more specifics, see our guides on Indiana rental assistance and Indiana utility relief.

Related guides

• Hotel vouchers for homeless people in Indiana
• Indiana assistance programs
• Eviction help in Indianapolis
• Hardship grants for individuals

Frequently asked questions

This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice, and not an application. Township standards and program dates change; confirm with your trustee, FSSA, or IHCDA. National Relief Program is an independent website, not a government agency.