Free · official rates · checked September 25, 2026
Starting a business on unemployment in Indiana
Here’s what Indiana allows while you’re on unemployment, and how to build your plan alongside your job search.
Indiana
No Self-Employment Assistance
Each voucher certifies you reported all work, earnings and self-employment activity for the week. Self-employment earnings count as wages and are deducted above the $100 disregard, and you must stay able, available and searching for full-time work. Source
Job search: Complete 2 work search activities each week and certify them on the weekly voucher. Keep a written log and proof for 6 months after each activity. Register in Indiana Career Connect (profile plus resume) within 10 days of filing, or no benefits are awarded.
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Self-Employment Assistance in Indiana
No. Indiana doesn’t run Self-Employment Assistance, so unemployment is for people looking for work.
How self-employment affects your benefit
Each voucher certifies you reported all work, earnings and self-employment activity for the week. Self-employment earnings count as wages and are deducted above the $100 disregard, and you must stay able, available and searching for full-time work.
Wages above $100 in a week are deducted dollar for dollar from the weekly benefit; you must earn less than your weekly benefit to get partial benefits.
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Your weekly job search
Complete 2 work search activities each week and certify them on the weekly voucher. Keep a written log and proof for 6 months after each activity. Register in Indiana Career Connect (profile plus resume) within 10 days of filing, or no benefits are awarded.
Pontia keeps your job-search record for you and links to Indiana Career Connect, so your plan and your search run side by side.
Other help in Indiana
- Indiana FSSA, Division of Disability, Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DDARS) - Vocational Rehabilitation Services: can fund a self-employment plan if you have a disability.
- Medicaid: Indiana expanded Medicaid, so the new work requirement applies to expansion adults: 80 hours or $580 net a month, and hours on your business count. FSSA says HIP work requirements start 1 Jan 2027 for new applicants and for redeterminations started on or after that date. January applicants must show 80 hours a month for October-December.
- SBA Microloans of up to $50,000, and free advice from your local SBDC and SCORE mentors.
- On SSI or SSDI: PASS and the SSDI trial work period let you test a business.
Questions
Can I collect unemployment while starting a business in Indiana?+
No. Indiana doesn’t run Self-Employment Assistance, so unemployment is for people looking for work. Each voucher certifies you reported all work, earnings and self-employment activity for the week. Self-employment earnings count as wages and are deducted above the $100 disregard, and you must stay able, available and searching for full-time work.
How many job contacts a week does Indiana require?+
Complete 2 work search activities each week and certify them on the weekly voucher. Keep a written log and proof for 6 months after each activity. Register in Indiana Career Connect (profile plus resume) within 10 days of filing, or no benefits are awarded.
How much is unemployment in Indiana?+
Between $37 and $390 a week in 2026, for up to 26 (maximum benefit is the lesser of 28% of base-period wages or 26 x WBA) weeks. Your own amount is on your monetary determination.
What other help is there to start a business in Indiana?+
Free advice from your local SBDC and SCORE mentors, SBA microloans of up to $50,000, and, if you have a disability, Indiana FSSA, Division of Disability, Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DDARS) - Vocational Rehabilitation Services can fund a self-employment plan. On SSI or SSDI, PASS and the trial work period let you test a business.
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Cite this page
"Start a business on unemployment in Indiana (2026)", Pontia, https://pontia.xyz/us/indiana/ (updated September 25, 2026)
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