IC 10-17-12-8.5: Demonstration of hardship

Sec. 8.5. (a) An applicant must establish that the applicant has incurred a genuine hardship to be eligible to receive assistance from the fund. The hardship incurred by the applicant must:

(1) directly impact the applicant's most central and basic living needs; and

(2) not be a consequence of the applicant's own actions or choices, including discretionary expenditures on nonessential goods or services.

(b) The department shall not make an award from the fund to cover luxury, entertainment, recreational, or other nonessential expenses.