Township Assistance
The Trustee’s office is responsible for administering Township Assistance to those in need of assistance in securing the basic necessities of living. In order to receive Trustee assistance, a person in need must go through an application process, as stipulated by state law. Below, you will find information about applying for Township Assistance through the Trustee’s office.
Every case is evaluated on the merits of the case, at the time of application. Decisions are made based upon the published Township Assistance Manual which is developed by the Center Township Trustee staff, and approved and adopted by the Center Township Board. You can review the Township Assistance Manual on this web site.
- All adults in the household must be present to start the application process.
- Once the application is completed, a clerk will take you through the intake process, which involves verifying information, making copies of information (refer to checklist below), and signing necessary documents. A home investigation may also be scheduled for the next business day.
- A decision of approval, denial, or pending will be made within 72 (business) hours after the application is completed. If additional information is required, the case may be pended an additional 72 hours.
INCOME GUIDELINE GENERAL ASSISTANCE
| Persons in Household | Total Monthly Income | Total Amount Yearly |
| 1 | $1,041.00 | $12,490.00 |
| 2 | $1,409.00 | $16,910.00 |
| 3 | $1,778.00 | $21,330.00 |
| 4 | $2,146.00 | $25,750.00 |
| 5 | $2,514.00 | $30,170.00 |
| 6 | $2,883.00 | $34,590.00 |
| 7 | $3,251.00 | $39,010.00 |
| 8 | $3,619.00 | $43,430.00 |
INCOME GUIDELINE MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
| Persons in Household | Total Monthly Income | Total Amount Yearly |
| 1 | $1,249.00 | $14,988.00 |
| 2 | $1,691.00 | $20,292.00 |
| 3 | $2,133.00 | $25,596.00 |
| 4 | $2,575.00 | $30,900.00 |
| 5 | $3,017.00 | $36,204.00 |
| 6 | $3,349.00 | $41,508.00 |
| 7 | $3,901.00 | $46,812.00 |
| 8 | $4,343.00 | $51,116.00 |
- RENT: You come in to sign the voucher. Once approved, the landlord will need to bring proof of ownership for that property. The voucher will be for the amount of rent approved only. A check will be sent when vouchers are processed (within two weeks)
- UTILITIES: Bring in your original utility bills with you when you come in to sign the voucher. The Trustee’s Office will mail in the utility bills for you.
- HOUSEHOLD: Pick up the voucher and take the voucher to the designated store and pick out the items needed that are allowed with the voucher. The client will need to pay special attention to the total amount of the items selected to make sure that it is within the amount of the voucher.
- PRESCRIPTIONS: Pick up the voucher and take the voucher to the designated pharmacy with your written Rx or refill bottles.
- Current Rent (back rent and deposits are not allowed)
- Mortgage Payments (only on 1st mortgages)
- Utility Bills (MUST be in a name of an adult member of the household at the current address. Not able to pay old bills from outside Center Township, budget amounts, deposits, or re-connect fees)
- Food ( Must not be receiving Food Stamps)
- Household Items
- Prescriptions
- Office Calls to Open Door Clinic
- Laundry Vouchers
- Bus Passes
- Deposits for Apartments
- Back Rent
- Second Mortgages or refinanced homes
- Deposits and reconnects on utilities
- Utility Bills not in the name of an adult member of the household or utility “budget” amounts
- Prescriptions older than two weeks
- Rent to relatives
- Food if currently receiving food stamps
- Any assistance if sanctioned by any Federal Assistance Program (including, Food Stamps, Welfare, Social Security)
- Remaining rent for those receiving Section 8
The following items will typically make you ineligible for Township Assistance. However, each case is considered on its own merit:
- Sanctioned by the Food Stamp Office
- Sanctioned by TANF (AFDC)
- Termination of Section 8
- Convicted of Welfare Fraud
- Previous workfare assignment not completed
- Fired from job for just cause in the last 60 days.
- Quit job without just cause in last 60 days.
- Failure to apply for child support or TANF
- Wasted Resources (paying for non-necessities when necessities are not/have not been paid for)
- Abusive Client Behavior
- Unemployment Claim denied
This is a non-exclusive list.
- Picture ID for all adults in the household
- Social Security card for ALL MEMBERS of the household
- Birth Certificates for ALL MEMBERS of the household
- Copy of current lease and rent receipts or mortgage payment book
- All current utility bills (even if assistance for the bill is not requested)
- Support payment records
- Check stubs and proof of income
- Deeds and mortgages
- Signed statement from childcare giver and receipts of payment
- Paid receipts for food, cleaning supplies, utilities and any other purchases
- If requesting prescriptions, a new Rx written within the last two weeks or the Rx bottle with refills
OTHER ITEMS THAT MAY BE REQUIRED
- Vehicle registrations
- Insurance policies and ID cards (Hoosier Healthwise and Medicaid)
- Signed doctor’s statement and medical records (If applicable)
- A full intake and home inspection will be conducted at least every six months or when needed, and may be conducted at any time. A new application is valid for a maximum of six months.
- You may only request shelter assistance for the current month. The Trustee’s Office cannot require landlords to accept a Trustee voucher.
- Workfare will be assigned to every client that receives assistance that is not working FULL time and is medically able. Failure to perform workfare will be a reason for denial of further assistance.
- Township Assistance fraud is a crime. Any attempt to withhold information or intentionally defraud this office will result in prosecution for Welfare Fraud. THIS OFFICE DOES PROSECUTE INDIVIDUALS WHO ATTEMPT FRAUD.
- The Center Township Trustee will not prohibit anyone from making application for Township Assistance, even if an individual falls within one of the “Ineligible” categories above. All decisions concerning Township Assistance are made on a case-by-case basis, and are based on the Township’s published Public Assistance Manual.
- This web site has been developed for informational purposes, and the information presented is not legally binding. The Center Township Trustee has attempted to verify that all the information is accurate and up to date. However, the Trustee is not responsible for any errors or inaccurate information.