INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana plans to offer more government services as the state sees the number of people seeking assistance skyrocket amid the coronavirus outbreak. Normally, about 1 in 5 people have state assistance.
The applications have increased 75% since mid-March, state officials reported Monday. Jennifer Sullivan, secretary for Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, says that applications for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or food stamps, is up 253%. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or cash assistance, is up 209%. People seeking state healthcare coverage is up 10%.
By the end of March, 5,413 families were receiving TANF; 285,058 families were receiving SNAP and the Healthy Indiana Plan had 450,329 members.
