Study Highlights Gaps in Indiana’s Federal Safety Net Program Enrollment
A recent study by the Urban Institute reveals that a significant number of eligible Hoosiers in Indiana are not enrolling in federal safety net programs. While Indiana's enrollment rates for SNAP and WIC are close to the national average, the…
Indianapolis, IN, August 21, 2026 —
A new study from the Urban Institute indicates that many eligible residents in Indiana are not accessing federal safety net programs for which they qualify. The research highlights disparities in enrollment rates, particularly concerning cash assistance programs.
While Indiana’s participation rates for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program are comparable to national averages, the state’s enrollment in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program falls notably short.
According to the study, only 6% of eligible families in Indiana are currently receiving TANF benefits. This figure stands in stark contrast to the national average, where approximately 21% of eligible families receive this form of cash assistance. The TANF program is designed to provide financial support to families with children to help them meet basic needs.
The Urban Institute’s findings suggest a significant gap between the number of Hoosiers who are eligible for crucial federal aid and those who are actually enrolled and receiving it. The reasons for this enrollment gap were not detailed in the summary provided.
The study did not specify the exact number of eligible Hoosiers not enrolling, nor did it attribute specific causes for the lower TANF enrollment rates compared to other federal programs like SNAP and WIC.
Story summarized from the original created by By Carson Gerber for Free Press Indiana News on mirrorindy.org, see more information here.
