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Government assistance programs from DFR in Lake County IN

Updated October 22, 2025 • 5 min read • 1,022 words
Focus Immediate Financial Assistance

Government assistance programs in Lake County Indiana from DFR.

Very low income families can apply for help from public assistance programs in Lake County. The department of social services offers resources such as SNAP food stamps or EAP energy bill help (LIHEAP), government money from TANF and other benefits, such as be government sponsored low cost insurance such as Medicaid. Several other state benefits can be applied to at the offices below or the FSSA Benefits portal - learn more on government benefit programs in Lake County Indiana below.

Government food benefits and money from DFR to help pay bills in Lake County

Food assistance from DFR in Indiana is provided by solutions such as commodity supplemental program (CSFP) or food stamps and others. These various resources all have one goal in mind, and that is to provide either free or low cost groceries or meals to the low income. The Lake County DFR can help process applications and go over the guidelines, or even offer information on other options, such as a local food pantry in Lake County IN or formula from WIC – Women Infant and Children. Partnering with other agencies, the Lake County Division of Family Resources helps process application for public assistance from EAP ( LIHEAP) . This is the counties main solution for paying utility bills, including heating or standard electric. The Energy Assistance Program is for qualified low income households, including the disabled and seniors. A goal of the government grants is to help families keep their power on, especially during inclement weather or the colder or other months. Households in Lake County Indiana facing a disconnection can apply for crisis EAP for assistance. This is an emergency component, with a focus on helping individual’s maintain energy service if it will be terminated in the near future. There is financial support for a number of bills, including natural gas, propane, coal, fuel oil or kerosene and others.

DFR in Lake County

can provide cash benefits from TANF. This will also come with referrals to affordable day care providers and also vouchers to help pay for the costs. The goal of each of these varies, as TANF can help Lake County families with paying the bills for basic needs while the objective of child care is to allow parents to work or attend job training. Referrals to public housing, shelters for the homeless, and grant programs for paying back rent may be offered too. These are mostly run by partners Lake County DFR. The county also works closely with public housing authorities that have section 8 applications as well as other places in Lake County IL that help pay rent . They use public funds from programs such as Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) and other sources. Most of the programs that help with housing combine both short term lodging with ongoing case management that touches upon employment and topics such as credit counseling. There is also help to pay for care in Lake County from DFR. The main benefit is Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) with a second options being the On My Way Pre-K, known as OMWPK. Both of them help very low-income parents pay for so (or rarely all) of their child care costs for kids from birth to teens, and learn more on how to get help with daycare in Indiana .

Additional DFR benefits in Lake County

The federal funded Medicaid program is an option for people in Lake County IN that can’t afford health or dental care on their own. There is also Hoosier Rx in Lake County and more. This public benefit can address many health and medical needs of patients, ranging from medications to care for children. State laws determine exactly what can or can’t be paid for. Employment resources , known as IMPACT, are some of the main social services - self-sufficiency program. The goal of any public benefit offered by the Indiana and Lake County Division of Family Resources (DFR) is to provide very short term funds for bills, while helping the applicant land a full time job and really get off of public aid. The IMPACT job training program combines employment and job related resources with limited cash assistance from TANF. The IMPACT job training and other employment services in Lake County will touch upon everything from finding to retaining a job that pays decent wages. Staff and social workers from DFR will work with clients on removing barriers, increase personal responsibility, and further develop both new and current skills.

Get help and apply for public assistance in Lake County

There are a few main DFR offices across Lake County, and noted below. Apply at the benefits portal (website: https://fssabenefits.in.gov/bp/#/ ) or the main intake number is 1-800-403-0864. Gary Office, 661 Broadway, Gary, IN 46402-2407. ZIP codes 46401, 46402, 46403, 46404 Crown Point Office is at 1865 E. Summit Street, Crown Point, Indiana 46307-2768. This center helps families in the ZIP codes of 46303, 46307, 46308, 46311, 46341, 46355, 46356, 46373, 46375, 46376, and 46377. Hammond Office is at 5255 Hohman Ave., Hammond, IN 46320-1721. This is for the zip codes of 46320, 46321, 46323, 46324, 46325, as well as 46327. East Chicago Office is at 2200 Broadway St, East Chicago, IN 46312. ZIP codes 46312, 46319, 46322, 46394 Hobart Office of Lake County DFR is at 7744 E Ridge Rd, Hobart, IN 46342. Dial 1-800-403-0864.