What is a township trustee? destroyed, or under other special Can the trustee turn me down? Trustees are elected people in each circumstances. Yes, the trustee can turn you down. township who help the poor obtain However, the trustee must follow its certain basic necessities. The trustee Where do I apply? own standards when deciding whether to may help with shelter or housing costs, Apply at your local township trustee’s help you or not. Be sure to ask the utility bills, food, clothing, medical office. Check the phonebook for the trustee to give you a written “denial needs, burial expenses, or school number and address of the trustee. If slip” if the trustee refuses to help you. supplies. Trustee assistance is you cannot find it, check with your local The slip must tell you the reason for the considered “last resort” assistance. You county clerk’s office to find your denial, and must tell you about your first must try to get help with other township’s trustee. You should apply right to appeal the denial. agencies and/or family members. for assistance in the township where you live. What should I do if I am denied? Does the trustee give me cash? If you are denied help from the trustee, No. The trustee does not give you cash. How do I apply? you can appeal. You have 15 days from Instead, the trustee may issue a You will have to fill out an application the date of the denial to file an appeal of “voucher” (like a coupon) to a landlord for assistance at the trustee’s office. The the decision. Be sure to appeal if you for rent, or help you find a place to stay. trustee must make a decision on all have any question about the denial. If Some trustee offices have a supply of applications within 72 hours, not you don’t appeal, the denial is final. You food to give to people in need, while counting weekends and holidays. In an should fill out the appeal request that is others may give vouchers to a grocery emergency, the trustee may be able to on the back of the denial slip. Make a store. help you the same day. copy of the denial slip and the appeal request for yourself, and give the Can anyone get trustee assistance? You should bring with you proof of your original to the Board of the County To get trustee assistance, you need to income and finances. This can be pay Commissioners of your county. (Some have low income and you must truly stubs, or TANF records. Bring proof of counties have an office set up to receive need the items you are asking for. Each your household situation (social security these appeals. Check your denial slip trustee may have a different standard of numbers, birth certificates of household carefully to see where you should take eligibility. Depending upon the trustee’s members), receipts for expenses during your appeal). You can generally mail standards, you may receive assistance the last month, and information and any your appeal or take it to the office or even if you already receive TANF. If documents regarding the situation you Board in person. A hearing will be you receive food stamps, you may need help with, like a rent-due notice. If scheduled within 10 days of the receive food assistance from the trustee you have any referrals from other Commissioner’s receiving the appeal if your food stamps are lost, stolen, agencies, bring those as well. request.

What happens at the hearing? At the appeal hearing, the 6. The trustee determines there is no Commissioners (or a hearing officer) work available. Township Trustees decide whether you should have been helped, either under the trustee’s own Can the trustee make me apply for guidelines or under the Indiana poor other programs, such as food stamps relief law. You can have an attorney or TANF? represent you at the hearing or you can Yes. If the trustee thinks you could be go by yourself. It is helpful to have an getting help under another program, the attorney. Contact a private attorney or trustee can tell you to apply for help your local legal services program if you under that program. If you do not apply, are appealing a denial of assistance from the trustee can refuse to help you. the trustee as soon as you file for the Prepared by: Indiana Legal Services, appeal hearing. Rev. 07/02 Code 2090099 Inc. Can the trustee make me work? http://www.indianajustice.org If you get trustee assistance, you might have to work for the township’s ILS Office Contact Numbers workfare program. However, you will not have to work for the workfare Bloomington: Hammond: program if: (812) 339-7668 (219) 853-2360 This is for information 1. You are not physically able to work. 1-800-822-4774 only. It is not legal Columbus: Indianapolis: (317) 631-9410 advice. For legal advice, 2. You are a minor or you are at least (812) 372-6918 contact an attorney or a 1-866-644-6407 1-800-869-0212 65 years old. Legal Services office. Evansville: Lafayette:

(812) 426-1295 (765) 423-5327 3. You are needed to care for someone 1-800-852-3477 1-800-382-7581 else because of that person’s age or Fort Wayne: New Albany: physical condition. (260) 424-9155 (812) 945-4123 The production of this pamphlet 1-888-442-8600 1-800-892-2776 is made possible by a grant from 4. You are employed full time. Gary: South Bend: the Indiana Bar Foundation.

(219) 886-3161 (574) 234-8121 5. You are attending a training program 1-888-255-5104 1-800-288-8121 through the township trustee.