Benefit programs in Indiana (2026)
For families in Indiana we check every federal program below, then map your state's own programs and point you to the office that runs each one.
We don't put a dollar figure on most of Indiana's own programs yet. Those amounts depend on rules we haven't finished checking against official sources. What you get instead is the program, its official source, and who to call. Federal amounts are computed for every state, including yours.
Indiana families can get Medicaid help with care at home through 5 Medicaid home and community-based services waivers that pay for care in your own home instead of a nursing facility. Indiana also has a confirmed property-tax relief program for seniors, the Homestead Standard Deduction (IC 6-1.1-12-37). Its confirmed benefit is quoted in the program's own official wording further down this page. Indiana also runs a federally funded LIHEAP energy-assistance program that helps pay heating bills for qualifying households. Figures checked against official sources, last on 2026-08-05.
Does Indiana Medicaid pay for care at home?
Yes. Indiana runs 5 Medicaid home & community-based services waivers, including "IN Community Integration and Habilitation Waiver (0378.R05.00)" and "IN Family Supports Waiver (0387.R05.00)". These pay for care in your own home instead of a nursing facility. We have no confirmed dollar figure for what they pay. Amounts depend on an assessment, and most waivers have waiting lists. Ask Indiana Medicaid, or call 1-800-713-9023.
- IN Community Integration and Habilitation Waiver (0378.R05.00)
- IN Family Supports Waiver (0387.R05.00)
- IN Health & Wellness Waiver (0210.R07.00)
- IN PathWays for Aging Waiver (2407.R00.00)
- IN Traumatic Brain Injury Waiver (4197.R05.00)
What property tax relief is available to seniors in Indiana?
Indiana has a confirmed property-tax relief program for seniors: the Homestead Standard Deduction (IC 6-1.1-12-37). Reduces the homestead's assessed value. Amount phasing DOWN under SEA 1-2025: $48,000 for the 2025 assessment (2025 pay 2026); $40,000 (2026); $30,000 (2027); $20,000 (2028); $10,000 (2029); $0 (2030 and after). Before 2025 it was the lesser of 60% of AV or $48,000. That figure is confirmed against Indiana's own official page (last checked 2026-08-05). Indiana runs 8 property-tax relief programs that seniors may qualify for in total. See the full list below, or call your state's Aging and Disability Resource Center at 1-800-713-9023 and ask which apply to you.
14 programs in Indiana. Each description below is drawn from its linked source and shown in full: the tag next to each name marks its source tier (GOV/GOV PDF: the program's own official page, ANALYSIS/IND: a secondary source).
Property-tax figures last checked against official sources on 2026-08-05. See how we verify figures.
| Program | Benefit | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Homestead Standard Deduction (IC 6-1.1-12-37) GOV PDF VERIFIED | Reduces the homestead's assessed value. Amount phasing DOWN under SEA 1-2025: $48,000 for the 2025 assessment (2025 pay 2026); $40,000 (2026); $30,000 (2027); $20,000 (2028); $10,000 (2029); $0 (2030 and after). Before 2025 it was the lesser of 60% of AV or $48,000. | Official source → |
| Supplemental Homestead Deduction (IC 6-1.1-12-37.5) GOV PDF | Additional deduction equal to (assessed value minus the standard homestead deduction) multiplied by a phased-in percentage: 40% for taxes due 2026, 46% (2027), 52% (2028), 57% (2029), 62% (2030), 66.7% (2031 and after). May not exceed 75% of gross assessed value. | Official source → |
| Supplemental Homestead Credit (IC 6-1.1-20.6-7.7) GOV PDF VERIFIED | Credit equal to the LESSER of (homestead property tax liability x 10%) or $300. Applied automatically by the county auditor; no application required. Voter-approved referendum taxes are excluded from the calculation. New under SEA 1-2025. | Official source → |
| Over 65 Credit (IC 6-1.1-51.3-1) GOV PDF VERIFIED | Up to $150 credit against homestead property tax liability (reduced if co-owners who are joint tenants/tenants in common other than a spouse are not all 65+). Requires owning/occupying the homestead and having owned it at least 1 year; no assessed-value limit and no residency requirement. Replaced the former Over 65 Deduction (IC 6-1.1-12-9, formerly a $14,000 AV deduction). New under SEA 1-2025. | Official source → |
| Over 65 Circuit Breaker Credit (IC 6-1.1-20.6-8.5) GOV PDF VERIFIED | Caps the annual increase in a qualified senior homestead's property tax liability at no more than 2% over the prior year's liability (functions as a senior tax-increase freeze). SEA 1-2025 removed the former $240,000 assessed-value ceiling and raised the income limits (from $30,000/$40,000). | Official source → |
| Blind/Disabled Credit (IC 6-1.1-51.3-2) GOV PDF VERIFIED | Up to $125 credit against property tax liability on the applicant's residence. No income limit. Replaced the former Blind/Disabled Deduction (IC 6-1.1-12-11/-12, formerly a $12,480 AV deduction with a $17,000 income limit). New under SEA 1-2025. 'Blind' per IC 12-7-2-21(1); 'disabled' means unable to engage in substantial gainful activity due to a medically determinable impairment expected to result in death or last at least 12 months. | Official source → |
| Deduction for Totally Disabled Veteran (IC 6-1.1-12-14) GOV PDF VERIFIED | Effective the 2026 assessment (2026 pay 2027) per HEA 1210-2026: deduction of 100% of the homestead's assessed value, with the former $240,000 AV cap removed. Now limited to veterans with TOTAL disability (previously also covered veterans 62+ with 10%+ disability). Requires 90+ days service, honorable discharge, principal-residence use, and 1 year of Indiana residency; mobile/manufactured-home deduction is limited to one-half of AV. A recipient of this 100% deduction cannot also take the new IC 6-1.1-51.3 veteran credits. For 2025 pay 2026 this deduction was a flat $14,000. | Official source → |
| Credit for Veteran at Least 62 with 10% or More Disability (IC 6-1.1-51.3-5) GOV PDF VERIFIED | $250 credit against local property taxes on the veteran's home. New under HEA 1210-2026; replaces the former IC 6-1.1-12-14 $14,000 deduction for veterans 62+ with a 10%+ disability who no longer qualify for the 100% total-disability deduction. Requires 90+ days service and honorable discharge. Surviving spouses eligible. Recipient may not also take a IC 6-1.1-12-14 deduction. | Official source → |
| Credit for Veteran with Service-Connected Disability (IC 6-1.1-51.3-6) GOV PDF VERIFIED | $350 credit against local property taxes on the veteran's home. New under HEA 1210-2026; replaces the former IC 6-1.1-12-13 $24,960 deduction. Requires honorable discharge after wartime service and a service-connected disability of at least 10%. Surviving spouses eligible. | Official source → |
| Disabled Veteran Deduction - Homestead Conveyed Without Consideration by a Nonprofit (IC 6-1.1-12-14.5) GOV | For a disabled veteran whose homestead was conveyed without charge by a nonprofit/charitable organization: deduction of a percentage of assessed value equal to the veteran's VA service-connected disability rating (50% of AV for a 50% rating, 60% for 60%, 70% for 70%, 80% for 80%, 90% for 90%, or 100% for 100%). | Official source → |
| Deduction for Surviving Spouse of World War I Veteran (IC 6-1.1-12-16) GOV PDF | We could not confirm this program's amounts against its official page, so we do not restate them here. Use the official source link for current figures. | Official source → |
| Property Tax Caps / Circuit Breaker (constitutional 1%/2%/3% caps) ANALYSIS | Constitutional circuit-breaker caps a parcel's total property tax bill at 1% of gross assessed value for owner-occupied homesteads, 2% for other residential property and agricultural land, and 3% for all other property. Applies to all owners including seniors and is separate from the income-tested Over 65 Circuit Breaker Credit. | Official source → |
| Deduction for 2% Circuit Breaker Credit Properties (IC 6-1.1-12-47) GOV PDF | New residential relief under SEA 1-2025 for property subject to the 2% property-tax cap (residential property, long-term care property, and agricultural land): additional deduction from assessed value phasing in - 6% of AV (2025 pay 2026), 12% (2026 pay 2027), 19% (2027 pay 2028), 25% (2028 pay 2029), 30% (2029 pay 2030), 33.4% (2030 pay 2031 and after). Applied automatically; no application required. | Official source → |
| Renter's Deduction (IC 6-3-2-6) - state income tax GOV VERIFIED | State income tax deduction equal to the LESSER of rent paid or $3,000 per year ($1,500 if married filing separately). The rented dwelling must be the taxpayer's principal residence and subject to Indiana property tax. (This is an income-tax deduction, not a property-tax credit.) | Official source → |
Homestead Standard Deduction (IC 6-1.1-12-37) GOV PDF VERIFIED
- Benefit
Reduces the homestead's assessed value. Amount phasing DOWN under SEA 1-2025: $48,000 for the 2025 assessment (2025 pay 2026); $40,000 (2026); $30,000 (2027); $20,000 (2028); $10,000 (2029); $0 (2030 and after). Before 2025 it was the lesser of 60% of AV or $48,000.
- Official source
- Official source →
Supplemental Homestead Deduction (IC 6-1.1-12-37.5) GOV PDF
- Benefit
Additional deduction equal to (assessed value minus the standard homestead deduction) multiplied by a phased-in percentage: 40% for taxes due 2026, 46% (2027), 52% (2028), 57% (2029), 62% (2030), 66.7% (2031 and after). May not exceed 75% of gross assessed value.
- Official source
- Official source →
Supplemental Homestead Credit (IC 6-1.1-20.6-7.7) GOV PDF VERIFIED
- Benefit
Credit equal to the LESSER of (homestead property tax liability x 10%) or $300. Applied automatically by the county auditor; no application required. Voter-approved referendum taxes are excluded from the calculation. New under SEA 1-2025.
- Official source
- Official source →
Over 65 Credit (IC 6-1.1-51.3-1) GOV PDF VERIFIED
- Benefit
Up to $150 credit against homestead property tax liability (reduced if co-owners who are joint tenants/tenants in common other than a spouse are not all 65+). Requires owning/occupying the homestead and having owned it at least 1 year; no assessed-value limit and no residency requirement. Replaced the former Over 65 Deduction (IC 6-1.1-12-9, formerly a $14,000 AV deduction). New under SEA 1-2025.
- Official source
- Official source →
Over 65 Circuit Breaker Credit (IC 6-1.1-20.6-8.5) GOV PDF VERIFIED
- Benefit
Caps the annual increase in a qualified senior homestead's property tax liability at no more than 2% over the prior year's liability (functions as a senior tax-increase freeze). SEA 1-2025 removed the former $240,000 assessed-value ceiling and raised the income limits (from $30,000/$40,000).
- Official source
- Official source →
Blind/Disabled Credit (IC 6-1.1-51.3-2) GOV PDF VERIFIED
- Benefit
Up to $125 credit against property tax liability on the applicant's residence. No income limit. Replaced the former Blind/Disabled Deduction (IC 6-1.1-12-11/-12, formerly a $12,480 AV deduction with a $17,000 income limit). New under SEA 1-2025. 'Blind' per IC 12-7-2-21(1); 'disabled' means unable to engage in substantial gainful activity due to a medically determinable impairment expected to result in death or last at least 12 months.
- Official source
- Official source →
Deduction for Totally Disabled Veteran (IC 6-1.1-12-14) GOV PDF VERIFIED
- Benefit
Effective the 2026 assessment (2026 pay 2027) per HEA 1210-2026: deduction of 100% of the homestead's assessed value, with the former $240,000 AV cap removed. Now limited to veterans with TOTAL disability (previously also covered veterans 62+ with 10%+ disability). Requires 90+ days service, honorable discharge, principal-residence use, and 1 year of Indiana residency; mobile/manufactured-home deduction is limited to one-half of AV. A recipient of this 100% deduction cannot also take the new IC 6-1.1-51.3 veteran credits. For 2025 pay 2026 this deduction was a flat $14,000.
- Official source
- Official source →
Credit for Veteran at Least 62 with 10% or More Disability (IC 6-1.1-51.3-5) GOV PDF VERIFIED
- Benefit
$250 credit against local property taxes on the veteran's home. New under HEA 1210-2026; replaces the former IC 6-1.1-12-14 $14,000 deduction for veterans 62+ with a 10%+ disability who no longer qualify for the 100% total-disability deduction. Requires 90+ days service and honorable discharge. Surviving spouses eligible. Recipient may not also take a IC 6-1.1-12-14 deduction.
- Official source
- Official source →
Credit for Veteran with Service-Connected Disability (IC 6-1.1-51.3-6) GOV PDF VERIFIED
- Benefit
$350 credit against local property taxes on the veteran's home. New under HEA 1210-2026; replaces the former IC 6-1.1-12-13 $24,960 deduction. Requires honorable discharge after wartime service and a service-connected disability of at least 10%. Surviving spouses eligible.
- Official source
- Official source →
Disabled Veteran Deduction - Homestead Conveyed Without Consideration by a Nonprofit (IC 6-1.1-12-14.5) GOV
- Benefit
For a disabled veteran whose homestead was conveyed without charge by a nonprofit/charitable organization: deduction of a percentage of assessed value equal to the veteran's VA service-connected disability rating (50% of AV for a 50% rating, 60% for 60%, 70% for 70%, 80% for 80%, 90% for 90%, or 100% for 100%).
- Official source
- Official source →
Deduction for Surviving Spouse of World War I Veteran (IC 6-1.1-12-16) GOV PDF
- Benefit
We could not confirm this program's amounts against its official page, so we do not restate them here. Use the official source link for current figures.
- Official source
- Official source →
Property Tax Caps / Circuit Breaker (constitutional 1%/2%/3% caps) ANALYSIS
- Benefit
Constitutional circuit-breaker caps a parcel's total property tax bill at 1% of gross assessed value for owner-occupied homesteads, 2% for other residential property and agricultural land, and 3% for all other property. Applies to all owners including seniors and is separate from the income-tested Over 65 Circuit Breaker Credit.
- Official source
- Official source →
Deduction for 2% Circuit Breaker Credit Properties (IC 6-1.1-12-47) GOV PDF
- Benefit
New residential relief under SEA 1-2025 for property subject to the 2% property-tax cap (residential property, long-term care property, and agricultural land): additional deduction from assessed value phasing in - 6% of AV (2025 pay 2026), 12% (2026 pay 2027), 19% (2027 pay 2028), 25% (2028 pay 2029), 30% (2029 pay 2030), 33.4% (2030 pay 2031 and after). Applied automatically; no application required.
- Official source
- Official source →
Renter's Deduction (IC 6-3-2-6) - state income tax GOV VERIFIED
- Benefit
State income tax deduction equal to the LESSER of rent paid or $3,000 per year ($1,500 if married filing separately). The rented dwelling must be the taxpayer's principal residence and subject to Indiana property tax. (This is an income-tax deduction, not a property-tax credit.)
- Official source
- Official source →
How much heating bill help can I get in Indiana?
Up to $625 toward heating bills. That is the FY 2026 maximum Indiana's Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) publishes. Most households get less. This is the ceiling, not a typical amount. A separate crisis benefit of up to $800 is available if your service is about to be shut off. Source: https://liheapch.acf.gov/profiles/Indiana.htm
| Program | Benefit | Published maximum | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) | Help with heating bills, plus emergency help if service is at risk. Emergency crisis help is available. | In Indiana the published heating maximum is $625. Crisis maximum: $800. | Official source → |
Retirement income tax
Social Security in Indiana: Indiana fully exempts Social Security benefits (and Railroad Retirement benefits issued by the Railroad Retirement Board). Any portion included in federal adjusted gross income is subtracted out on the Indiana return, so it is not subject to Indiana income tax. Confirmed by the Indiana Department of Revenue.
Pensions, IRAs, and 401(k)s: Indiana has a FLAT state individual income tax: 3.00% for tax year 2025 and 2.95% for 2026 (dropping to 2.90% in 2027), plus a county income tax. Private and public pensions, and IRA and 401(k) distributions, are FULLY TAXABLE at the flat state rate plus county tax; there is NO general age-based or income-based exclusion for private pensions/IRA/401(k) (Roth qualified distributions that are federally tax-free are also excluded from Indiana AGI). Key exceptions: (1) Military retirement income and survivor's benefits are FULLY (100%) deductible for tax year 2022 and later; (2) Federal Civil Service Annuity deduction - a taxpayer age 62+ (or a surviving spouse of any age) may deduct up to $16,000 of a federal civil service annuity, reduced by any Social Security and Railroad Retirement Tier 1 benefits received; (3) Railroad Retirement benefits are fully exempt.
Official source →Federal programs: checked in Indiana too
These are computed for every family, wherever they live.
VA Aid & Attendance
An extra monthly VA payment for wartime veterans and surviving spouses who need daily help.
Medicare Savings Programs
State help that pays your Medicare premiums, and sometimes deductibles and copays.
Medicare Extra Help
Lowers what you pay for prescription drugs under Medicare Part D.
SNAP (food support)
Monthly money for groceries. Older adults often qualify for more than they expect.
Social Security & SSI
Checks whether the person may be missing Social Security or Supplemental Security Income.
Federal tax credits
Credits and deductions families miss, including medical expenses and the credit for the elderly or disabled.
Medicare before 65
Medicare eligibility for people under 65 through a disability.
Who do I call in Indiana for help with elder care?
Call your state's Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) at 1-800-713-9023. They're the free, no-wrong-door starting point for home care, respite and other long-term-care options in Indiana. If someone is unsafe, neglected or being exploited, Adult Protective Services can help at 800-992-6978.
Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) / No Wrong Door
Free help understanding your options.
1-800-713-9023Which of these fits your family?
Being on this list doesn't mean your family qualifies. That depends on income, savings, care needs and service history. The free check works out which ones are worth your time, in about four minutes.
Not legal or medical advice. Benefits vary. Figures are estimates.