Free & Reduced-Cost Services for Those Experiencing Financial Hardship in NWI

If you or someone you know is facing financial hardship, there are many free and reduced-cost resources available across Northwest Indiana and beyond. These programs support essential needs like food, housing, healthcare, childcare, education, and employment—helping individuals and families stay stable and move forward.

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🔎 𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗟 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗖𝗘 𝗡𝗔𝗩𝗜𝗚𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡

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➢ Connects you to local help for food, housing, healthcare, mental health, employment, and more.
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FindHelp.org
➢ Search tool for free or low-cost services including food, housing, medical care, and more.
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👨‍👩‍👧 𝗙𝗔𝗠𝗜𝗟𝗬, 𝗖𝗛𝗜𝗟𝗗𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗘 & 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗧𝗛 𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗩𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗦

Bright Futures Indiana
➢ Connects families to childcare and support services.
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Build, Learn, Grow Program
➢ Childcare scholarships covering up to 80% of costs.
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Child Care Resources
➢ Helps families find quality childcare and financial assistance.
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Child Support Enforcement Program
➢ Helps establish and enforce child support.
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Geminus Family Service Programs
➢ Family support, including child services and domestic violence resources.
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Geminus Head Start
➢ Early education and family support for young children.
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Geminus Preschool and Child Care Resources
➢ Access to early education programs and childcare support.
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Minority Health Resources
➢ Health programs focused on improving outcomes for diverse populations.
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Paladin
➢ Serves as determined advocates for children, persons with disabilities, seniors and their families working to ensure they have the supports and opportunities they need to learn, grow and enjoy a meaningful life. Services include disability support, early childhood education, and non-emergency transportation for qualifying seniors and La Porte County residents covered by Medicaid.
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State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)
➢ Low-cost health coverage for children not eligible for Medicaid.
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🍎 𝗙𝗢𝗢𝗗 & 𝗡𝗨𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗦𝗨𝗣𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧

Food Stamp Program (SNAP)
➢ Monthly benefits to help purchase groceries.
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Meals on Wheels of Northwest Indiana
➢ Delivers affordable or free meals to those in need.
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National School Lunch Program
➢ Free or reduced-cost lunches for eligible students.
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School Breakfast Program
➢ Free or reduced-cost breakfast for students.
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Summer Food Service Program
➢ Free meals for children during summer months.
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The Backpack Program
➢ Weekend food support for children facing food insecurity.
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Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
➢ Nutrition support and food assistance for women and young children.
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🏠 𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗚 & 𝗨𝗧𝗜𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗘𝗦

IHCDA Homeowner Assistance
➢ Helps homeowners stay current on mortgage payments.
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Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
➢ Helps cover heating and cooling costs.
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NiSource Home Energy Assistance Program
➢ We meet our customers where they are and support their life challenges – through payment assistance programs and plans.
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🎓 𝗘𝗗𝗨𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 & 𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟 𝗔𝗜𝗗

Federal Financial Aid
➢ Grants, loans, and scholarships for education.
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Indiana Commission for Higher Education
➢ Scholarships, grants, and education planning resources.
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💼 𝗘𝗠𝗣𝗟𝗢𝗬𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 & 𝗝𝗢𝗕 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚

elaws Advisors
➢ Guidance on federal employment laws.
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Indiana Career Connect
➢ Job search and employment tools.
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Indiana Department of Workforce Development
➢ Job training, unemployment help, and education programs.
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Level Up Northwest Indiana
➢ Helps individuals gain skills and access better-paying jobs.
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Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)
➢ Job training and part-time work for adults 55+.
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💵 𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟 𝗔𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘 & 𝗜𝗡𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗘 𝗦𝗨𝗣𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧
Indiana Family & Social Services Administration (FSSA)
➢ Access to a wide range of public assistance programs.
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Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
➢ Monthly income support for seniors and individuals with disabilities.
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Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
➢ Temporary financial help for families with children.
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👵 𝗦𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗢𝗥 & 𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗥 𝗦𝗨𝗣𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧

National Family Caregiver Support Program
➢ Resources and support for family caregivers.
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Paladin
➢ Serves as determined advocates for children, persons with disabilities, seniors and their families working to ensure they have the supports and opportunities they need to learn, grow and enjoy a meaningful life. Services include disability support, early childhood education, and non-emergency transportation for qualifying seniors and La Porte County residents covered by Medicaid.
Click for Details

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🩺 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗟𝗧𝗛𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗘 & 𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗔𝗟 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗟𝗧𝗛

Affordable Health Care Marketplace
➢ Federal health coverage information and local care options.
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Be Well Indiana
➢ Mental health resources and emotional support for Hoosiers.
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FSSA: Indiana Addiction Hotline
➢ Connects individuals to addiction support and recovery resources.
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Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC)
➢ Helps cover a large portion of health insurance premiums.
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Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP 2.0)
➢ Low-cost health insurance for uninsured adults.
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Hoosier Healthwise
➢ Health coverage for children, pregnant women, and families.
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Medicaid
➢ Free or low-cost healthcare for eligible individuals and families.
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Medicare
➢ Federal health insurance for seniors and certain disabilities.
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