Center Township Assistance

Effective February 1st, 2019, Center Township will be operating all Township Assistance requests by appointment only. This will cut down on your wait time and allow for us to more efficiently handle your request. Thank you for your understanding as we change this process to better our office procedures.

Our Primary Function is to provide Township Assistance to individuals in need. We do this through an extensive application process - making sure that the right people get the help they need.

Services We Offer

• Shelter Assistance
• Utility Assistance
• Food
• Medical Assistance
• Household Necessities
• Other Needs as deemed appropriate by the Trustee

Assistance Eligibility

Individuals and/or households who may be in need must complete an application and meet the township's eligibility standards and guidelines. All adult members of the household must, by law, sign the application.

• Residency Requirements - All applicants for township assistance must reside within the boundaries of the township. Click here and enter your address in the form to find your township residency.
• Income Standards - Income is defined as the total monetary amount currently available in the household and/or that which is projected to be available to any and all members of the household from any source. The township guidelines are listed in the chart below.
• Eligibility Requirements - All applicants for Township Assistance must meet the following minimum criteria in order to be determined eligible for initial township assistance.
  1. An applicant must complete an "Application for Township Assistance TA-1" & a "Disclosure and Release of Information". Both forms must be signed by all adult members of the household. In addition, all adult members must complete and sign all other documents, forms, or instruments required by Indiana Law. These are necessary for our caseworkers to determine an applicant's eligibility as per the township's "Standards and Guidelines".
  2. An applicant must furnish the township with an acceptable means of identification and social security numbers for each member of the household.
  3. The household income and/or liquid resources combined (e.g. bonds, stocks, savings, or checking accounts, or certificates of deposit) cannot exceed the township's income guidelines.
  4. The household or a member of the requesting household must have a verifiable need that is basic and cannot be remedied in a timely manner by means other than by an expenditure of townships funds. (Example: if you are eligible for food stamps or TANF and have not applied, we will refer you to FSSA.) All members of the household must show evidence that they have exhausted their resources.
  5. The applicant and members of the applicant's household cannot be in violation of any provision of the township's "Standards and Guidelines".
  6. All able-bodied adult members of the household must show evidence of trying to find employment or present medical evidence that they are unable to work.

What to Bring with You

1. Picture identification for all adult members of the household that indicates the applicant is a resident of the township. An Indiana driver's License or ID Card issued by the BMV will be accepted.
2. Social Security numbers for all members of the household. This must be in the form of either a Social Security Card, or printouts from the Social Security Office or the Division of Family and Social Services.
3. Birth Certificates or Medicaid cards for all children residing in the household.
4. Applicants must provide income verification for all members of the household. The income threshold for determining eligibility is based on 150% of the federal poverty level.
5. Applicant must provide receipts for how their income was expended during the previous thirty (30) day period.

Standards and Guidelines

• Standards and Guidelines 2023