Penn Township Assistance

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible for Trustee help?

There are three (3) rules of thumb concerning Trustee assistance:

1. Apply within the township where you live.
2. Be in need of the essentials of life.
3. Be willing to help yourself as much as possible

How is need determined?

A person or family is in need if there is not enough income to provide the basic necessities of life. Necessities of life include food, shelter, utilities, medical, household supplies, and other basic needs. Individual qualification is determined by the trustee or staff, based on written standards adopted by the Township board.

Can I get assistance more than once?

Yes, however, by law Trustee assistance is short term. Trustee's assistance can continue as long as your needs exist IF you continue to help yourself by actively seeking employment and/or other forms of assistance.

How do I apply for Trustee assistance?

You will need to come to the Trustee's office to schedule an appointment, or they can mail an application if you are unable to pick one up. You will be interviewed at your appointment by an Investigator. The application is a legal affidavit and you must state your situation as accurately and completely as you can. Applications are signed by all the adult members of the household. There are criminal penalties for deliberately giving false information. If you have any questions, you may contact an Investigator at 256-6210 or 256-6211.

What happens after the application?

If you have an immediate need, such as food, or prescriptions, the Trustee may be able to help the same day. In some situations it will be necessary to make a home visit before assistance can be granted. You may be asked to bring in additional information before a decision can be made. In most cases a determination can be made within three (3) business days, not including weekends and holidays. If the Trustee determines you are not eligible for assistance, you will be given a "Notice of Poor Relief Action" which is a statement of the decision and the reason for it.

I'm a landlord and have a tenant in need who is unable to pay rent. Can the Trustee help?

Yes, if the tenant qualifies for the assistance. You can refer the tenant to the Trustee's office to apply for assistance. If eligible, the recipient will sign a voucher for the rent. This voucher then will come to you for your signature and should be returned to this office immediately. The Trustee's office will forward a check to you, within forty-five (45) days. Any questions about rent vouchers may be directed to the Trustee.

How do I find out more about the Trustee's procedures?

The Trustee is an elected official and like all elected officials, is governed by laws and standards. The laws are in Indiana code 12-2-1-1 and following. The Trustee has adopted a set of standards to give more detail about eligibility and office procedures. These Poor Relief Standards are available for anyone to review at the Trustee's office.

What if the Trustee denies assistance?

You can appeal within fifteen (15) days. The “Notice of Poor Relief Action", which gives the reason you were denied, also tells you how to appeal to the County Commissioners. The Board of County Commissioners will set a time to hear your side and the Trustee's side, then make a decision based on the Standards that the Trustee has set forth. You can bring documents and witnesses to the hearing to help you prove your case. Legal counsel or anyone you choose can represent you.

What kind of assistance can the Trustee provide?

The Trustee can meet the following basic needs:

1. Food & Household Supplies - We offer referrals to The Penn Township Food Pantry.
2. Medical Assistance - Not otherwise provided by insurance, clinics, and HCI, or other government subsidized programs.
3. Shelter - Rental payments not to exceed that listed in the standards. The landlord or property owner doesn't have to accept trustee payment. The Trustee will not pay for housing which is determined unfit. The Trustee will not pay first month’s rent, or any deposit fees.
4. Utilities - Bills must be in the current name of the applicant for the current place of residence. No deposits or reconnect fees will be paid. Bring in your bill as soon as you receive your disconnect notice.

What about the residency requirement?

A person does not need to live in the township for any particular amount of time as long as he/she is living there at the time of application.

What is the person applying for or receiving Trustee assistance expected to do?

The work requirement:

By law, the Trustee must require any able-bodied, unemployed member of a household receiving assistance to seek and accept employment, unless:

1. Disabled
2. Under 18 or over 65
3. Needed to care for another person
4. There is no work assignment available
5. Employed full-time
6. Employment would violate fair labor standards or the law

The Trustee may require proof of your inability to work, such as a doctor's statement. Other self-help requirements: any member of the household receiving assistance is required to apply for other forms of aid if it might help the household meet basic needs. Examples of other forms of assistance are: Food Stamps, Unemployment, TANF, Veteran's Benefits, Social Security, SSI, Medicaid, and Medicare. The recipient must cooperate with the Trustee's office in getting necessary papers signed. For instance, in order for the Trustee to pay rent, the client must sign a "voucher" to go to the landlord. Failure to cooperate with the Trustee could result in denial or termination of assistance. If you are unemployed but able to work, you may be assigned to a workfare project. The work you perform will help pay for the help you receive.

How does the Trustee provide aid?

The Trustee issues vouchers, never cash, to pay for the goods and services which the clients are in need of. A voucher s not money, but is a written promise that the Trustee will pay money to the company or person who provides the client the service. For instance, if you need shelter assistance, the Trustee may give you a voucher to take to your landlord. The landlord must sign the voucher and then it needs to be returned to the Trustee's office. Once a month the Trustee issues checks directly to the landlord for all the vouchers that have been brought back. The voucher can never be exchanged for cash, nor will a check ever get mailed to the client.