There is no single income figure that defines what is considered low income in Indiana. Each assistance program sets its own cutoff, usually expressed as a percentage of the federal poverty level (FPL), which for 2026 is $15,960 a year for one person and $33,000 for a family of four.1U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 2026 Poverty Guidelines Most Indiana benefits actually reach well above those numbers. The threshold that matters is the one attached to the specific program you need.
The 2026 Federal Poverty Guidelines
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services updates these figures each year, and nearly every Indiana assistance program uses them as a starting reference.2U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Poverty and Economic Mobility For 2026, the annual figures for Indiana are:1U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 2026 Poverty Guidelines
- 1 person: $15,960
- 2 people: $21,640
- 3 people: $27,320
- 4 people: $33,000
- 5 people: $38,680
- 6 people: $44,360
- 7 people: $50,040
- 8 people: $55,720
- Each additional person: add $5,680
These are 100% of FPL. When a program says eligibility runs “up to 138% FPL,” multiply the figure for your household size by 1.38. For a family of four, that comes to about $45,540. Once you know your household’s number at 100%, you can quickly check against any program’s cutoff.
Health Coverage Income Limits
The Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP) covers adults aged 19 through 64 with household income up to 138% of the federal poverty level, which works out to roughly $22,025 a year for a single adult in 2026 after a built-in 5% income disregard.3Indiana Family and Social Services Administration. FSSA HIP Federal Poverty Level Income Chart
Pregnant women qualify for Medicaid at a much higher threshold, up to 213% of FPL.4Indiana Healthcare Reform. Pregnant Women Income Chart Those between 213% and 400% of FPL may qualify for subsidized marketplace coverage instead.
Children qualify at the broadest income levels. Indiana’s Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) covers kids in households up to 255% of FPL, or about $84,150 for a family of four.5Indiana Healthcare Reform. Child Income Chart Many parents assume they earn too much, when in fact their children would qualify.
SNAP Food Assistance Income Limits
SNAP applies two income tests. Gross monthly income (before deductions) must be at or below 130% of FPL, and net monthly income (after deductions) must be at or below 100% of FPL.6Indiana Family and Social Services Administration. SNAP Food Assistance Households where every member is elderly or disabled only have to meet the net income test.7U.S. Department of Agriculture. SNAP Eligibility
For October 2025 through September 2026, the monthly limits are:7U.S. Department of Agriculture. SNAP Eligibility
- 1 person: $1,696 gross / $1,305 net
- 2 people: $2,292 gross / $1,763 net
- 3 people: $2,888 gross / $2,221 net
- 4 people: $3,483 gross / $2,680 net
- 5 people: $4,079 gross / $3,138 net
- Each additional person: add $596 gross / $459 net
A household just over the gross limit may still qualify once deductions bring the net figure under 100%. That gap matters more than people expect, and the next section explains how it works.
Child Care, Housing, Phone, and Energy Programs
Indiana’s child care subsidy, funded through the federal Child Care and Development Fund, uses the state median income rather than FPL. Initial eligibility sits at roughly 45% of state median income — about $3,900 a month for a family of four — and families can keep assistance until income exceeds 85% of the state median, so a raise does not immediately end the benefit.8Administration for Children and Families. CCDF Family Income Eligibility Levels by State
Housing programs run through the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) use area median income by county. Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) rentals publish limits at tiers from 20% to 80% of area median income for every Indiana county.9Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority. 2025 Low Income Housing Tax Credit Income and Rent Limits IHCDA’s homebuyer and down payment assistance programs also set income and purchase-price caps that vary by county and program.10Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority. Income and Acquisition Limits Check your specific county.
The federal Lifeline program discounts phone or internet service for households at or below 135% of FPL. For 2026 in Indiana:11Universal Service Administrative Company. Do I Qualify?
- 1 person: $21,546
- 2 people: $29,214
- 3 people: $36,882
- 4 people: $44,550
- Each additional person: add $7,668
You also qualify automatically for Lifeline if you already receive Medicaid, SNAP, or Supplemental Security Income.11Universal Service Administrative Company. Do I Qualify?
Indiana’s Energy Assistance Program, funded through the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), helps with heating and cooling bills for households at or below roughly 60% of state median income. Dollar amounts shift each program year, so confirm current figures with your local Community Action Agency or IHCDA.
How Indiana Counts Your Income
Programs start with gross income: wages, self-employment earnings, Social Security, unemployment, and child support received, counted across all household members.12Indiana Family and Social Services Administration. Indiana Health Coverage Program Policy Manual Chapter 2800 Income The definition of who counts as a household member can shift from one program to another.
SNAP then subtracts a list of allowable deductions to produce net income: a standard deduction, 20% of earned income, dependent care costs, legally obligated child support paid out, excess shelter costs, and medical expenses above $35 per month for elderly or disabled members.13eCFR. 7 CFR 273.9 Income and Deductions A household with high rent or child care costs can land well under the net limit even when the gross number looks too high on paper. If your gross income is close to the cutoff, it is worth applying rather than assuming you do not qualify.
Report income and household changes after you are enrolled. Reporting rules vary by program, and missing a deadline can trigger overpayment claims or termination.
Tax Credits That Add Cash Back
Even households that do not enroll in benefits often qualify for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). For tax year 2026, the maximum federal EITC is $8,231 for a taxpayer with three or more qualifying children.14Internal Revenue Service. IRS Releases Tax Inflation Adjustments for Tax Year 2026 Workers without children can claim a smaller credit. Income limits depend on filing status and number of children; for 2025 returns, a married couple filing jointly with two children could earn up to $64,430 and still qualify.15Internal Revenue Service. Earned Income and Earned Income Tax Credit EITC Tables
Indiana adds its own state EITC on top. If you qualify for the federal credit, you qualify for the Indiana one as well; it is a percentage of your federal amount and claimed on Schedule IN-EIC.16Indiana Department of Revenue. DOR Credits Combined, the two credits can return thousands of dollars to a working family at tax time.
Where to Start If You’re Not Sure
If you want help identifying which programs you might qualify for, Indiana’s statewide 211 helpline connects residents with health and human service programs. Dial 211 or 866-211-9966, or text your ZIP code to 898-211.17Indiana Family and Social Services Administration. Indiana 211
For Medicaid, SNAP, and TANF, apply through the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration. Indiana’s 22 Community Action Agencies serve all 92 counties and can walk you through local energy assistance, food programs, child development, employment training, and emergency housing help, often including county-level resources that are easy to miss in a statewide search.18Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority. About Community Action Agencies