Indiana Military Family Relief Fund Grants

Short-term grants for rent, utilities, food, medical bills, transport, childcare and funeral costs for Indiana resident service members, veterans and their dependents with a genuine hardship and household income under twice the federal poverty guideline. Since July 1, 2026 the rules are in the statute, and first-time applicants come first.

Also called: IC 10-17-12, MFRF, Military Family Relief Fund, emergency assistance, poverty guideline, disallowable separation codes, House Enrolled Act 1343, 915 IAC 3.

For: Veteran or service member, spouse, child.

Where it applies

Written for the jurisdictions listed here.

IndianaState

The fund is Indiana's emergency money for military families, paid from Hoosier Veteran plate fees, donations and appropriations. Who can apply. IC 10-17-12-8.1, added by House Enrolled Act 1343 of 2026 and effective July 1, 2026: an Indiana resident who is serving in the armed forces or National Guard, or who served or was discharged under conditions other than a court-martial, a discharge in lieu, or a discharge for security offenses, willful or persistent misconduct, sexual or violent offenses or a disallowable separation code; or a dependent of either. The Department of Veterans Affairs publishes the list of separation codes it will not accept. Need. IC 10-17-12-8.3: a comprehensive assessment of finances using the two most recent pay stubs, with household federal gross income no more than "two (2) times the poverty guideline" unless the Veterans' Affairs Commission grants a written waiver, and an asset limit posted on the Department's website. IC 10-17-12-8.5: a "genuine hardship" that affects basic living needs and is "not a consequence of the applicant's own actions or choices". No luxury, entertainment or recreational expenses. What it pays. The Department lists rent or mortgage, utilities, food, medical and dental bills, basic transportation, education, childcare and funeral expenses, and refuses personal debts, legal costs, taxes and garnishments, and home or vehicle purchases. It will not pay bills more than ten days ahead or reimburse bills already paid. Priority goes to applicants who have never had a grant (IC 10-17-12-8(c)), and once the Commission's yearly total is spent, nothing more is approved until July. A denial can be appealed. Apply by email, fax, online or in person at the Indiana Veterans Center in Indianapolis. The Department may close an application if documents are not received within thirty days.

Thresholds

Thresholds for Indiana Military Family Relief Fund Grants
Gate	Rule
Household income no more than twice the poverty guideline	IC 10-17-12-8.3(d), unless the Commission waives it.
A discharge not on the relief fund list	IC 10-17-12-8.1(2).

Sources

Legislation

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House Enrolled Act 1343 (P.L.94-2026) Fixed the inverted definition of Hoosier veteran, dropped "on active duty" from the state and local hiring preferences, and wrote Military Family Relief Fund eligibility and income limits into the statute

Needs reviewEnactedScope changed

Signed 2026-03-04Takes effect 2026-07-01

Introduced Done, 2026-01-06, step 1 of 6
In committee Done, 2026-01-06, step 2 of 6
Passed one chamber Done, 2026-01-28, step 3 of 6
Passed both chambers Done, 2026-02-27, step 4 of 6
Signed by the governor Done, 2026-03-04, step 5 of 6
In effect Done, 2026-07-01, step 6 of 6

Expands and restricts Drops the active duty limit from the state and local hiring preferences, but writes an income limit of twice the poverty guideline into Military Family Relief Fund eligibility.

Struck "other than conditions" from IC 1-1-4-5 so the definition excludes only the listed discharges; moved that list from IC 10-17-12-7.5(2) to a new IC 10-17-12-8.1(2) and updated every cross-reference; struck "on active duty" from IC 4-15-2.2-32 (state classified service preference and layoff seniority) and IC 5-9-3-2 (local government preference points after 181 days); and added IC 10-17-12-8.1, 8.3, 8.5 and 8.8 setting relief fund eligibility, an income limit of twice the poverty guideline with a Commission waiver, a genuine hardship test and priority for first-time applicants. Approved March 4, 2026, effective July 1, 2026. Flagged because the Veterans' Home eligibility page still requires an honorable discharge and a year of residence, and because House Enrolled Act 1004, signed the same day, relocated the wartime diploma chapter with a reference to the repealed section 7.5.

Sponsor

Touches IC 1-1-4-5 · IC 4-15-2.2-32 · IC 5-9-3-2 · IC 10-17-12-8.1 · IC 10-17-12-8.3 · IC 10-17-9-7

Also touches

Official record

Updated

Last updated 2026-09-30.

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Disclaimer

VetTOC is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense. Information is for reference only and is not an eligibility determination. Verify with VA, the relevant state or territory, or an accredited VSO.