Indiana WIC, Energy, and Housing Assistance for Grandparents in Kinship Care

TANF and SNAP cover cash and food, but they don't help when the heating bill doubles because a child moved in or the apartment is suddenly too small. Indiana has separate programs for nutrition, energy, and housing; eligibility depends on each program's rules and your household circumstances.

WIC (Children Under 5)

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children provides formula, baby food, milk, eggs, cereal, fruits, vegetables, and other targeted nutrition items. It's separate from SNAP and covers a different gap.

A grandparent or relative caregiver can apply for WIC on behalf of a kin child under age 5. Eligibility requires gross household income at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Level. If your household receives Medicaid, SNAP, or TANF, it is income-eligible for WIC through adjunctive eligibility.

WIC benefits load onto an Indiana eWIC card. Apply at your local WIC clinic (find one through in.gov/health/wic or call 1-800-522-0874). The appointment includes a brief health screening for the child.

LIHEAP Energy Assistance

Indiana's Energy Assistance Program (EAP), funded by LIHEAP, helps with home heating and electric bills through a one-time annual benefit paid to the utility vendor. Households at or below 60% of State Median Income (SMI) may qualify; eligibility is based on the most recent three months of income. The 2025-2026 application window closed April 20, 2026. Check IHCDA's EAP page or your local service provider for the current application status and dates.

Apply through your local EAP service provider. Some providers also administer the Weatherization Assistance Program, which can cover home energy improvements.

If you receive a utility disconnection notice, are already disconnected, or are within 10 days of running out of bulk fuel, contact your local service provider immediately. IHCDA requires a mitigating action within 48 hours when a heating crisis exists.

Rental Assistance and Section 8

Adding a child can push you over the occupancy limit for your current apartment or strain a budget that was already tight.

Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers subsidize rent by paying a portion directly to the landlord. Vouchers are administered by local Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) and may have lengthy waitlists. Tell your PHA if a child joins your household so it can review household size and bedroom needs. Ask whether a local preference applies to kinship families.

Emergency rental assistance is available through township trustees in all 1,008 Indiana townships. Trustees provide immediate poor relief for rent, utilities, medical expenses, and food. Apply at your township trustee's office and demonstrate the immediate need. Each township sets its own criteria, but the help can prevent eviction while longer-term programs process.

For other local housing support, contact Indiana 211 or your township trustee and ask about current resources in your area.

Making These Programs Work Together

These programs have separate applications and eligibility rules. WIC has an income-eligibility pathway for households receiving Medicaid, SNAP, or TANF. For urgent help with rent or utilities, contact your township trustee or Indiana 211.

The Indiana Kinship Financial Help Guide includes a Benefit Renewal Calendar that tracks application windows for seasonal programs like LIHEAP alongside the regular DFR recertification schedule.

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