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Exploring: IndianaSwitch to Kentucky

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This directory is under active review and may be incomplete. Confirm urgent details directly; No One Left Outside does not guarantee eligibility, availability, funding, acceptance, or placement.More

This directory is under active review and may be incomplete. Confirm urgent details directly; No One Left Outside does not guarantee eligibility, availability, funding, acceptance, or placement.

Back to fast paths in Indiana

Indiana: the order of steps to get an ID when you have nothing

Indiana statewide · Checked 2026-10-28

Get these first

Lifeline: a monthly discount on phone or internet service if you get Medicaid or SNAP (or have low income), Indiana benefits without a home: use another mailing address, or the local DFR office address (phone and a mailing address first) -> Indiana birth certificate: county fee, and the no-fee route for homeless youth aged 16-17 -> Replace a Social Security card (Indiana) -> Indiana ID with no address: Residency Affidavit (State Form 50879) plus a letter from your shelter or agency (Residency Affidavit + agency letter) -> BMV branch (Free Indiana state ID card (BMV free identification card))

  1. Lifeline: a monthly discount on phone or internet service if you get Medicaid or SNAP (or have low income)
  2. Indiana benefits without a home: use another mailing address, or the local DFR office address
  3. Indiana birth certificate: county fee, and the no-fee route for homeless youth aged 16-17
  4. Replace a Social Security card (Indiana)
  5. Indiana ID with no address: Residency Affidavit (State Form 50879) plus a letter from your shelter or agency
  6. Free Indiana state ID card (BMV free identification card)

Steps

  1. Find a shelter, outreach team or nonprofit that already helps you and will take your mail. See: Indianapolis Coordinated Entry: get a housing needs assessment at an access point See: Coordinated Entry: the Clark, Floyd and Harrison counties front door to housing (Region 13) See: Fort Wayne/Allen County coordinated entry through Brightpoint (call and leave a message)
  2. Get your birth certificate (county fee; free for homeless youth 16-17 with a waiver affidavit). See: Indiana birth certificate: county fee, and the no-fee route for homeless youth aged 16-17
  3. Get your Social Security card or other proof of your Social Security number. See: Replace a Social Security card (Indiana)
  4. Ask the agency for a letter on its letterhead and to sign the Indiana Residency Affidavit (State Form 50879). See: Indiana ID with no address: Residency Affidavit (State Form 50879) plus a letter from your shelter or agency
  5. Take the birth certificate, Social Security proof, affidavit and letter to a BMV branch.
  6. U.S. citizens without an Indiana driver's license: the BMV free identification card rule applies. See: Free Indiana state ID card (BMV free identification card)
  7. Then apply for vouchers, SNAP, Medicaid and benefits. See: Indiana SNAP (food assistance) fast: expedited benefits within 7 days See: Indiana Medicaid right away: presumptive eligibility at a hospital, clinic or doctor's office

Official details

What you can get
ONE document proving your identity is required. Official source
Who can get it
ONE document proving lawful status is required. Official source
What to bring
ONE document proving your social security is required. Official source
How to apply
TWO printed documents proving you are an Indiana resident are required. Official source
Where to apply
Not confirmed yet
Who decides
Not confirmed yet
How fast they decide
Not confirmed yet

Sources