In 1991, the General Assembly began FSSA for better integration of the human services delivery by State government. The health care and social service funding agency, FSSA includes 5 care divisions such as Office of Medicaid Policy and Planning (OMPP), Division of Disability, Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DDARS), Division of Family Resources (DFR), the Office of the Secretary (OS) and Division of Mental Health and Addiction (DMHA). From the total budget of the agency, about 94 percent is paid to 1000s of service providers.

All applications of Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Cash Assistance (TANF) and childcare are collected by DFR. It also approves the eligibility for the program. The delivery of services to kids and adults with developmental disabilities are managed by DDRS while Medicaid programs are managed by OMPP. DMHA maintains the mental health care provider network and Division of Aging finances long-term care via Medicaid programs. You can apply for SNAP, Medicaid and TANF benefits online by completing a State application form.

SNAP/Food Stamp Program

This nutrition assistance program is specially designed to help low-income people and families who are struggling for food. It provides financial support to buy groceries that they require for good health. Students and unemployed people can also apply for SNAP benefits. To get SNAP benefits, you must have record of financial (income and asset limits) and non-financial criteria (citizenship status, state residency, work registration and cooperation with the IMPACT Program). You will get SNAP benefits in about 30 days but if you meet certain criteria then you will get your benefits within 7 days of applying. The benefits are given on an electronic card named “Hoosier Works” which will be accepted at almost all the grocery stores. This card can be used to buy breads and cereals, meats, dairy products fruits and vegetables, fish and poultry as well as seeds and plants from any supermarket, store or co-op approved by the USDA.

You can also get emergency SNAP benefits but you have to qualify special criteria for expedited benefits. To get emergency SNAP benefits, your monthly rent/mortgage and utilities should be above than your Gross monthly income as well as Gross monthly income must be less than $150 and liquid resources should be of $100 or below in the month of the application. Qualified applicants are called for an interview for the same day or the following day where you will be asked for some questions regarding your income, household composition, resources and other related information. You will emergency benefits at least 7 days after you made an application. The amount of SNAP benefits will be given according to the number of people in your family and your monthly net income.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

This cash assistance program helps needy families with dependent children. It provides cash and supportive services to them so that they can meet their basic needs and achieve economic self-sufficiency. This program helps to decrease the number of families that live in poverty by employment and community resources. Families that have kids below 18 years are only eligible for TANF. Unemployed people can also apply for financial assistance. To get TANF benefits, your family should not have assets valued above $1,000 at the time of application. You will get financial assistance within 30 or 60 days from the date of application. If your family has a person deemed mandatory for IMPACT, an employment and training program, it will take 60 days and if there is no deemed mandatory for IMPACT in your family, it will take only 30 days to grant assistance. The amount of cash payment will be decided as per the number of eligible family members and their total net income.

Medicaid

FSSA provides various medical aid services such as Hoosier Healthwise (HHW), Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), The Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP) and Hospital Care for the Indigent. The aim to provide these medical aid services is to help low income families to get much-needed health care.

• Hoosier Healthwise (HHW)
  • This program is helps pregnant women, low income families and children by providing medical care at little or no cost. Medical care such as dental care, doctor visits, prescription medicine, surgeries, hospitalizations, mental health care and family planning are included in the program.
• Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
  • This program is formed by Congress as part of 1997 Federal Balanced Budget Act. The program motivates the states to provide Health Insurance coverage to uninsured kids for free or at low-cost.
• The Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP)
  • This is an inexpensive health insurance program for adult Hoosiers (aged between19 to 64) who are not insured. The program provides health benefits such as physician services, hospital services, diagnostic exams, mental health care and prescriptions. Eligibility Requirements for the program are; you should earn fewer than 200% of the federal poverty level (FPL), you must not be insured for the earlier 6 months, a single adult earning must not be above $21,660 a year and you should not have access to employer sponsored health insurance coverage.

How to Apply for FSSA Benefits Online?

Visit www.in.gov/fssa and click on “Apply For Benefits”. Then, select the program that you want to apply. Now, hit the link “Apply For Benefits Online” and follow the instructions. You can also find your local DFR office by entering zip code or by clicking on your county.

Pros:

• No registration required
• Simple and User friendly interface
• Let you to apply FSSA benefits online
• You can find local DFR office