Indiana SNAP benefits load onto the Hoosier Works card once a month, and the exact date depends on the first letter of your last name. Deposits happen between the 5th and the 23rd of each month, spread across 10 different dates so the system does not process every account at once. If you know how your last name lines up, you can pinpoint exactly when your food assistance lands every month in 2026.
Indiana EBT Deposit Schedule by Last Name
Indiana's Division of Family Resources (DFR) spreads SNAP issuance over the month using the first letter of the primary account holder's last name. Your deposit date stays the same every month, so once you know it, you can plan your grocery trips around it.
| First Letter of Last Name | Monthly Deposit Date |
|---|
| A or B | 5th |
| C or D | 7th |
| E, F, or G | 9th |
| H or I | 11th |
| J, K, or L | 13th |
| M or N | 15th |
| O, P, Q, or R | 17th |
| S | 19th |
| T, U, or V | 21st |
| W, X, Y, or Z | 23rd |
If your scheduled deposit date falls on a weekend or holiday, Indiana still loads the benefits on that calendar date since the EBT system runs automatically and does not require a business day to post funds.
What Time Do Benefits Load?
Indiana does not publish a guaranteed time down to the minute, but benefits are generally available by 6 a.m. on your scheduled deposit date. If you check your balance in the early morning and nothing has posted yet, wait until later that morning before assuming there is a problem. If funds still are not showing by the afternoon, call Hoosier Works customer service at 1-877-768-5098, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Indiana TANF Cash Assistance Deposit Schedule
If your household also receives Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cash benefits in Indiana, that payment follows a different schedule than SNAP. TANF cash assistance is typically deposited on the 1st of each month, separate from the staggered SNAP schedule above. Because timing can vary by case, confirm your specific TANF deposit date by calling the Division of Family Resources at 1-800-403-0864.
How to Check Your Indiana Hoosier Works Balance
There are four ways to check your Hoosier Works card balance:
- Phone: Call 1-877-768-5098 anytime, day or night. Enter your 16-digit card number and 4-digit PIN to hear your current SNAP and cash balances.
- Online: Log in at connectebt.com to view your balance and transaction history.
- Receipt: Your remaining SNAP balance prints at the bottom of your receipt after every purchase at a grocery store.
- Store terminal: Ask to do a "balance inquiry" at the PIN pad when checking out at most SNAP-authorized retailers.
What Is the Hoosier Works Card?
The Hoosier Works card is Indiana's Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card. It works like a debit card and is used to spend SNAP food benefits at authorized grocery stores, supermarkets, and many farmers markets across the state. You set a 4-digit PIN when you first receive the card, and the card itself does not expire. If your card is lost, stolen, or damaged, call 1-877-768-5098 right away to freeze the old card and request a replacement, since anyone with your card and PIN can spend your benefits.
Indiana SNAP Income Limits 2026
To qualify for SNAP in Indiana, most households must meet both a gross income test (130% of the Federal Poverty Level) and a net income test (100% of the Federal Poverty Level) after deductions. Households where every member is elderly or disabled only need to meet the net income test.
The income limits below are effective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026:
| Household Size | Gross Monthly Income Limit (130% FPL) | Net Monthly Income Limit (100% FPL) |
|---|
| 1 | $1,696 | $1,305 |
| 2 | $2,292 | $1,763 |
| 3 | $2,888 | $2,221 |
| 4 | $3,483 | $2,680 |
| 5 | $4,079 | $3,138 |
| 6 | $4,675 | $3,596 |
| 7 | $5,271 | $4,055 |
| 8 | $5,867 | $4,513 |
| Each additional person | +$596 | +$459 |
Net income is calculated after subtracting allowable deductions, including a standard deduction, earned income deduction, dependent care costs, child support paid, and excess medical or shelter costs for elderly or disabled household members.
Maximum SNAP Benefit Amounts for 2026
The maximum monthly SNAP allotment depends on your household size. These are the maximum benefits for fiscal year 2026 for households in the 48 contiguous states:
| Household Size | Maximum Monthly Benefit |
|---|
| 1 | $298 |
| 2 | $546 |
| 3 | $785 |
| 4 | $994 |
| 5 | $1,183 |
| 6 | $1,421 |
| 7 | $1,571 |
| 8 | $1,789 |
Most Indiana households receive less than the maximum because your benefit amount is calculated using your net income, not just your household size. A household with zero net income after deductions would receive the full maximum allotment.
How to Apply for SNAP in Indiana
If you do not currently receive Hoosier Works benefits but think your household might qualify, here is how to apply:
Step 1: Check your eligibility. Use the free screener at benefitsusa.org/screener to get an estimate of whether you qualify and roughly how much you might receive. It takes about 5 minutes and covers SNAP along with 11 other assistance programs.
Step 2: Gather your documents. You will need proof of identity, Indiana residency, income (pay stubs, employer letters, or benefit award letters), housing and utility costs, and Social Security numbers for everyone in your household.
Step 3: Submit your application. You can apply three ways:
- Online: Apply through the FSSA Benefits Portal at fssabenefits.in.gov
- In person: Visit your local Division of Family Resources (DFR) office. Find your county office at in.gov/fssa/dfr
- By phone: Call the FSSA Customer Service Center at 1-800-403-0864 for help starting or completing an application
Step 4: Complete your interview. After you submit your application, Indiana will schedule an interview, usually by phone, to review your household's income and expenses.
Step 5: Receive your decision. Indiana must process standard SNAP applications within 30 days of the date you apply. If your household has little or no income and few resources, you may qualify for expedited SNAP within 7 days.
Step 6: Activate your Hoosier Works card. Once approved, your card arrives by mail. Call the number on the card sticker or 1-877-768-5098 to activate it and set your PIN, and your benefits will load automatically going forward.
Recertification and Keeping Your Benefits
SNAP benefits in Indiana do not renew automatically. You must recertify your eligibility before your certification period ends, or your benefits will stop. Indiana typically certifies households for 6 to 12 months, and DFR sends a renewal notice before your certification expires.
To recertify, log in to your account at fssabenefits.in.gov, contact your local DFR office, or call 1-800-403-0864.
Check What Else You Qualify For
SNAP is often just one part of the picture. Households receiving Hoosier Works SNAP benefits in Indiana may also qualify for Indiana Medicaid or the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP), Hoosier Healthwise for children, WIC, the Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and TANF cash assistance.
Use the free screener at benefitsusa.org/screener to check all programs at once in about 5 minutes. You can also explore Indiana-specific programs at benefitsusa.org/states/indiana, and see how deposit dates compare across the country in the SNAP EBT deposit schedule by state roundup.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Indiana EBT deposit in 2026?
Indiana SNAP benefits deposit between the 5th and 23rd of each month. The exact date is determined by the first letter of your last name. For example, last names starting with A or B receive benefits on the 5th, last names starting with M or N receive benefits on the 15th, and last names starting with W through Z receive benefits on the 23rd.
What time does Indiana EBT deposit?
Indiana does not publish an exact minute, but benefits are typically available by 6 a.m. on your scheduled deposit date. If your benefits are not showing by the afternoon, call Hoosier Works customer service at 1-877-768-5098.
How do I find my Indiana deposit date?
Your deposit date is based on the first letter of your last name, not a case number. Check the table above, or call 1-800-403-0864 to confirm your household's scheduled date with the Division of Family Resources.
Can I use my Hoosier Works card out of state?
Yes. The Hoosier Works card works at any SNAP-authorized retailer across the United States. SNAP is a federal program, and your card is accepted anywhere that displays the EBT logo.
What happens if I lose my Hoosier Works card?
Call 1-877-768-5098 immediately to report your card lost or stolen. Customer service will deactivate the old card and mail you a replacement. Set a new PIN as soon as you activate the new card.
How long does it take to get approved for Indiana SNAP?
Standard applications are processed within 30 days. Households with very low or no income and minimal liquid resources may qualify for expedited SNAP, which Indiana must process within 7 days.
Does Indiana have an asset limit for SNAP?
Most Indiana SNAP households do not face a resource test because Indiana uses Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility for the majority of applicants. Households that do not qualify through BBCE may face standard asset limits, so confirm your situation with your local DFR office or the FSSA Customer Service Center.
Where can I use my Indiana EBT card?
You can use the Hoosier Works card at any grocery store, supermarket, or convenience store authorized to accept SNAP, along with many participating farmers markets in Indiana. SNAP benefits cannot be used to buy alcohol, tobacco, vitamins, hot prepared foods, or non-food household items.
My deposit date already passed but I still have no benefits. What should I do?
First, check your balance through connectebt.com or by calling 1-877-768-5098. If nothing has posted, contact your local DFR office to confirm your case is still active. A delay can happen if your recertification paperwork was not completed on time or if there is a pending review on your case.
