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Last updated: 15 September 2026
Grandparents raising grandchildren in Indiana may be able to get financial help and benefits for the child, for the household, or for their own caregiver needs. The strongest routes usually include child-only Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) kinship or foster-care payments when DCS placed the child, food and health benefits, child-care subsidies, tax credits, and legal help when paperwork is blocking access.
This guide focuses on money, benefits, subsidies, reimbursements, and cost-saving programs. For broader federal and state routes, see our grandparent benefits guide. Benefits paid for the child can use different rules from help based on the grandparent’s income, age, disability, or caregiver status.
Bottom Line
Financial help may come from more than one system. If the child came to you through a private family arrangement, start with Indiana’s TANF, SNAP, and Medicaid application system. If DCS placed the child with you, ask DCS about the unlicensed kinship stipend, foster licensing, reimbursements, and permanency subsidies. If you are age 55 or older, Indiana’s caregiver program may also provide services such as respite through your Area Agency on Aging.
Urgent Financial Help
If you need food, shelter, diapers, medicine, or utility help now, call Indiana 211 at 211 or 1-866-211-9966. If a child is in immediate danger, call 911 or the DCS Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 1-800-800-5556.
Start Here: 3 Benefit Actions
- Apply for child benefits. Use the FSSA Benefits Portal for TANF, SNAP, and Medicaid, or call the Division of Family Resources (DFR) at 1-800-403-0864. Our Indiana benefits portal guide can help with the state system.
- Ask who placed the child. If DCS made the placement, contact the family case manager and ask which kinship payment, foster-care rate, child-care support, and permanency benefits apply.
- Fix paperwork that blocks benefits. If an agency, school, doctor, or tax preparer says you need custody proof, ask exactly which document is required before starting a court case.
Quick Reference: Financial Help and Benefits
| Benefit or help | What it can pay for | Key eligibility issue | Where to start |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child-only TANF | Monthly cash for child needs | Eligible relative household; DFR decides countable income | FSSA Benefits Portal or DFR |
| DCS kinship stipend | Basic care for a DCS-placed child | DCS placement in an unlicensed kinship home | DCS family case manager |
| Licensed foster-care payment | Daily maintenance and approved allowances | Licensed home and DCS placement | DCS foster-care specialist |
| GAP or adoption assistance | Ongoing support for some DCS cases | DCS and court rules | DCS before finalization |
| SNAP and WIC | Groceries and nutrition | Household rules; WIC serves children under 5 | DFR and Indiana WIC |
| Medicaid or CHIP | Medical, dental, prescriptions, and hospital care | Age, income, and status rules | FSSA Benefits Portal |
| Child-care assistance | Approved child care | Income, service need, age, provider, waitlist | Early Ed Connect |
| Tax and child support help | Tax relief or parent support | Tax and support-order rules | IRS, Indiana DOR, or DCS Child Support |
| Housing and utility help | Rent, shelter, utilities, crisis referrals | Income, funding, and application windows | Indiana 211 and IHCDA |
What Has Changed
- Child-care vouchers: Indiana added new funding and resumed enrolling eligible children from the statewide child-care waitlist in late May 2026. Foster-care and kinship placements are among the priority groups. New applicants should still apply and follow waitlist instructions.
- Guardianship payments: DCS has a current guardianship-assistance payment policy effective January 1, 2026. The exact periodic payment is determined under current DCS rules and cannot exceed the foster-care payment that would apply to the child.
- Energy assistance: The 2025-2026 Energy Assistance Program application is closed as of this update. Indiana says the portal will reopen in fall 2026.
Cash Assistance: Child-Only TANF
For many grandparents in private family arrangements, TANF is the first cash benefit to check. Indiana says children under 18 living with a parent or qualifying relative, including a grandparent, may qualify if the household meets program rules. The state’s current TANF benefit page lists maximum children-only payments of $248 for a one-person assistance group, $409 for two, and $513 for three. The actual payment can be lower because DFR counts income under TANF rules.
Important distinction: DCS says TANF for a grandchild or relative may be based on the child’s income. DFR decides the assistance group and what income or assets count. Ask, “Can you screen this as a children-only TANF case, and whose income will you count?”
Apply online, by phone, or through a local office. Use the DFR office finder for in-person help. Do not wait for private guardianship before asking for screening.
Reality check: TANF is cash assistance, not a grant. The payment may be modest, and child support, Social Security, or other income received for the child can affect the benefit. Keep every eligibility notice because TANF decisions can be appealed.
Kinship Care and Foster-Care Payments
If DCS placed the child in your home, do not stop with TANF. Indiana’s kinship financial resources describe payments and reimbursements for relative and kinship caregivers.
Unlicensed kinship stipend: DCS provides $300 per month per child placed by DCS in an unlicensed kinship home. For a partial month of fewer than 15 days, the stipend is $150 per child. The current kinship stipend FAQ says the stipend continues while the child remains in DCS care in the unlicensed kinship home. It ends if the placement ends, the caregiver becomes licensed, or the child leaves DCS care through guardianship or adoption.
Licensed foster care: Indiana’s 2026 foster rates list standard daily payments of $27.86 for ages 0-4, $30.23 for ages 5-13, and $34.90 for ages 14-18. Higher service levels may pay more. DCS also lists approved allowances and reimbursements.
| DCS path | Payment type | Main rule |
|---|---|---|
| Unlicensed kinship home | $300 monthly stipend per child | Child must be placed by DCS; stipend cannot be paid at the same time as licensed foster per diem |
| Licensed foster home | Daily foster-care maintenance rate | Licensing and DCS placement rules apply |
| Guardianship or adoption | Possible monthly permanency subsidy | Eligibility must be established through DCS before finalization |
If DCS placed the child, ask for a written list of available payments and reimbursements. The family case manager or foster-care specialist can explain the correct path.
Guardianship and Adoption Payments
Private guardianship can give legal authority, but it does not automatically create a monthly payment. DCS guardianship assistance is a separate benefit.
Indiana’s Guardianship Assistance Program is for certain DCS or juvenile-system children when guardianship is the approved permanency plan. The child generally must be age 13 or older, unless the sibling-group rule applies, and must have lived in a licensed relative home for at least six consecutive months. Caregiver licensing and background-check rules also apply.
Under the current DCS policy effective January 1, 2026, eligible GAP cases can receive periodic payments. DCS determines the amount using current program rules, and the payment cannot exceed what the child would receive in foster care. This is a specialized DCS benefit, not a payment available to every private guardian.
Adoption may have a separate subsidy path. Indiana’s adoption assistance FAQ says eligible adoption subsidies are paid monthly and are based on the child’s current or most recent foster-care maintenance payment. Ask DCS about eligibility and the agreement before the adoption is finalized.
Food Benefits: SNAP and WIC
SNAP can reduce the household grocery bill. Indiana DFR runs the program and looks at household composition, income, and resources. A grandchild moving into your home can change who is in the SNAP household, but SNAP does not use the same financial rules as child-only TANF. Use the state’s SNAP program page or our Indiana SNAP guide for the application route.
If the child is under age 5, also check Indiana WIC. The WIC eligibility page says families receiving Medicaid, SNAP, or TANF are income-eligible for WIC, although the child must still meet WIC age and nutrition rules. Indiana also specifically explains WIC access for foster children placed with licensed or unlicensed relatives.
Health Coverage: Medicaid and CHIP
Indiana’s Hoosier Healthwise program covers children up to age 19. It includes Medicaid coverage and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The current Hoosier Healthwise page says covered care can include doctor visits, prescriptions, mental health services, dental care, hospital care, and surgery.
Package A has no member cost sharing. Package C is CHIP and can have a small monthly premium and copays based on family income. Apply through the FSSA Benefits Portal. If DCS placed the child, ask the family case manager for the placement letter and medical authorization documents DCS provides to kinship caregivers.
Helpful tip: When applying, say clearly that the child now lives with you and ask which household members and income sources count for that child’s coverage. Do not assume Medicaid uses the same household rules as TANF or SNAP.
Child-Care Help and Subsidies
Indiana’s Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) can help pay for approved child care when a caregiver has a qualifying service need, such as work, school, or training. The current child-care assistance page says new applicants generally must have gross monthly income at or below 135% of the federal poverty level, live in the county where they apply, and use an eligible provider. The child is generally under 13, or older with documented special needs up to age 19.
Indiana still uses a statewide waitlist, but new funding restarted enrollments in late May 2026. The 2026 voucher update lists foster-care and kinship placements among priority groups.
Apply through Early Ed Connect and keep your contact information current. Families on the waitlist may be asked to reconfirm information. If you are caring for a DCS-placed child, tell the eligibility office because kinship placement can affect priority.
Tax Help and Child Support
A grandchild can qualify for some federal tax benefits if the relationship, age, residency, support, dependency, and Social Security number rules are met. The IRS qualifying-child rules include grandchildren for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The Child Tax Credit can also apply to a qualifying grandchild. Only one taxpayer can use the same child for overlapping benefits.
Indiana also has a state earned income credit for people who qualify for the federal EITC. The Indiana tax-credit page explains the state credit. For more senior-focused filing help, see our Indiana tax guide.
Child support is a separate money route. Indiana’s child support program can help establish, modify, and enforce support orders. Enrollment is free. The Child Support Bureau lists Kidsline at 1-800-840-8757.
Tax warning: Do not claim a grandchild only because the child stayed with you for part of the year. Tax credits use detailed residency and dependency rules, and another taxpayer may also be able to claim the child. Use the current tax-year rules or a qualified preparer.
Housing and Utility Help
For immediate local referrals, call Indiana 211 and ask about rent help, emergency shelter, utility assistance, diapers, school supplies, and local charities. Our Indiana emergency help and Indiana housing help guides can help with senior household options.
Indiana’s Energy Assistance Program (EAP) is a utility benefit paid toward eligible energy costs. The current EAP program page says the 2025-2026 application is closed and will reopen in fall 2026. Do not wait for EAP if you already face disconnection; use 211 and your utility’s hardship options while the next season is closed.
Legal Help That Unlocks Benefits
You do not need the same legal document for every benefit. TANF, SNAP, or Medicaid screening may begin before private guardianship is completed. DCS placement papers can also give kinship caregivers authority for specific care.
Long-term legal authority may still matter for medical, school, benefit, or tax issues. Indiana Legal Help explains that legal guardianship requires a court order and provides minor guardianship forms for some cases. County rules can differ.
For school enrollment, the Indiana Department of Education provides a custodial statement form when a student lives with someone other than a parent. That school form is not the same thing as a court guardianship order.
Best question to ask: “Which exact document is stopping this benefit or service?” A school may need one form while Medicaid, TANF, DCS, or a court uses something different.
Benefits for Older Kinship Caregivers
Some help is based on the grandparent’s caregiver status, not the child. Indiana’s Family Caregiver Program can serve relatives age 55 or older caring for a child. The caregiver program page says there are no income or asset limits, although services depend on local availability.
Services are delivered through Area Agencies on Aging. Call 1-800-713-9023 or use our Indiana aging agencies guide. Ask about respite, caregiver support, benefits navigation, and local services. If you also need help for your own fixed-income household, our Indiana senior benefits guide covers broader programs for older adults.
Where to Apply and What to Prepare
Before calling, gather enough information to explain how the child came into your care. Do not delay screening while waiting for every document.
| Prepare | Why it may matter |
|---|---|
| Your ID and Indiana address | Identity and residency checks |
| Child’s name, birth date, and Social Security number if available | Benefit and tax screening |
| Date the child moved in | Household, school, tax, and case timing |
| DCS placement letter or court order | Kinship payment, medical authority, or legal status |
| Income received for the child | TANF, SNAP, tax, and support calculations |
| Your household income and expenses | SNAP, child care, housing, utility, and some health programs |
Phone Scripts for Benefit Offices
DFR — TANF, SNAP, Medicaid
“My grandchild is living with me now. I want to be screened for children-only TANF, SNAP, and health coverage. Please tell me who must be in each assistance group, whose income counts, what documents you need, and the deadline for sending them.”
DCS — kinship payments
“DCS placed this child with me. Which payment applies to my home right now: the unlicensed kinship stipend or licensed foster-care payment? What other reimbursements can I request, and what forms must I complete?”
Child care — voucher status
“I am a grandparent or kinship caregiver and need child care for work, school, or training. Is my child on the current waitlist, does kinship placement give priority, what income rule applies, and what should I update while I wait?”
AAA — older caregiver help
“I am age 55 or older and raising a grandchild. Do you have Family Caregiver Program services for older relative caregivers? Please tell me about respite, benefits navigation, any local limits, and the next step.”
Reality Checks
- Child benefits and grandparent benefits are different. TANF for a child, Medicaid for a child, caregiver services for a grandparent, and SNAP for a household use different rules.
- DCS money requires DCS involvement. A private family agreement does not automatically qualify for the DCS kinship stipend, foster-care per diem, GAP, or adoption subsidy.
- Legal custody is not one universal gate. Some benefits can start without private guardianship, while other services may need a court order or placement document.
- Waitlists and local funding matter. Child care, housing, utility, respite, and emergency programs may have limited openings.
- Never call every payment a grant. TANF is cash assistance, SNAP is food assistance, Medicaid is health coverage, CCDF is a child-care subsidy, and DCS payments follow placement rules.
Common Benefit Mistakes to Avoid
- Waiting for a guardianship case to finish before asking DFR to screen the child.
- Assuming the grandparent’s income is treated the same way in TANF, SNAP, Medicaid, and child care.
- Missing a DCS payment because the caregiver does not ask whether the home is unlicensed kinship or licensed foster care.
- Finalizing guardianship or adoption before asking DCS whether a subsidy agreement must be completed first.
- Ignoring benefit notices, document due dates, waitlist reconfirmations, or appeal deadlines.
- Letting a school, clinic, or agency say only “you need custody” without naming the exact required document.
Denied, Delayed, or Overwhelmed
If a benefit is denied, ask for the written notice and reason. For TANF and SNAP, contact DFR promptly about the appeal rights on the notice. For DCS payments, ask which policy and payment category applies. For child care, ask whether the problem is eligibility, waitlist status, documents, or provider choice.
If the problem is legal authority, use Indiana Legal Help or local civil legal aid rather than guessing which court filing you need. If the problem is an immediate household expense, call 211 while the benefit issue is being fixed.
Resumen en Español
Los abuelos que crían nietos en Indiana pueden encontrar ayuda financiera y beneficios por varias vías. Para casos familiares privados, pregunte por TANF para el niño, SNAP y Medicaid. Si DCS colocó al menor con usted, pregunte por pagos de parentesco, cuidado de crianza y subsidios de permanencia.
También puede haber ayuda para cuidado infantil, impuestos, manutención, vivienda y servicios públicos. Los parientes cuidadores de 55 años o más pueden pedir servicios del Family Caregiver Program por medio de la agencia local sobre envejecimiento. No todos los programas cuentan los ingresos de la misma manera. Pregunte siempre qué ingresos cuentan, qué documentos necesita, cuánto puede pagar el programa y qué hacer si recibe una denegación.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get TANF for my grandchild in Indiana?
Possibly. Indiana TANF can cover children under 18 living with a qualifying relative such as a grandparent. Ask DFR about a children-only case, whose income counts, and what proof is required.
How much is the Indiana kinship stipend?
For a child placed by DCS in an unlicensed kinship home, DCS currently pays $300 per month per child, or $150 for a partial month under 15 days. Private family placement alone does not qualify.
Can grandparents get SNAP for a grandchild?
Possibly. A grandchild living with you can affect the SNAP household, but DFR applies SNAP household, income, and resource rules. Do not assume SNAP uses the same rules as children-only TANF.
Can my grandchild get Medicaid or CHIP?
Eligible Indiana children up to age 19 can receive Hoosier Healthwise Medicaid or CHIP. Apply through the FSSA Benefits Portal and tell DFR the child now lives with you.
Is child-care help available to kinship caregivers?
It may be. Indiana CCDF helps eligible families with approved child care for work, school, or training. A statewide waitlist remains, but 2026 funding restarted enrollments and prioritizes some kinship placements.
Can I claim my grandchild on my taxes?
Possibly. A grandchild can be a qualifying child when tax-year relationship, age, residency, support, dependency, and Social Security number rules are met. Only one taxpayer can use the child for certain overlapping benefits.
Do I need legal custody to get benefits?
Not for every program. TANF, SNAP, or Medicaid screening may begin without completed private guardianship, while DCS and long-term legal decisions can require placement papers or a court order.
About This Guide
Sources: This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources linked in the article.
Editorial note
This guide is produced under the GFS Editorial Standards using official and other high-trust sources. GFS is not affiliated with a government agency and is not a substitute for official agency guidance. Individual eligibility outcomes cannot be guaranteed.
Corrections
Despite careful verification, errors may occur. Readers may email info@grantsforseniors.org with corrections.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and is not legal, financial, medical, tax, disability-rights, immigration, or government-agency advice. Program rules, policies, funding, and availability can change. Readers should confirm current details directly with the responsible official program before acting.
Last updated: 15 September 2026 · Next review: 15 January 2027
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