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Township Assistance

Residents of Ervin Township can apply for assistance. A completed application with all necessary documents will be required. Please see links below for our guidelines, application link, and other resources available to you.

Township Assistance is Indiana’s safety net for residents facing short-term financial hardship. Administered by the Township Trustee, it provides basic necessities when personal resources and other aid options fall short.

What It Can Cover

  • Housing Costs: Rent or mortgage payments to prevent eviction or foreclosure
  • Utilities: Help with electric, gas, water, and sewage bills
  • Food & Essentials: Groceries, hygiene items, and cleaning supplies
  • Medical Needs: Prescription medications and insulin (when not covered elsewhere)
  • Burial & Cremation: Assistance with funeral costs for eligible residents
  • Transportation: Bus passes or travel support for essential appointments
  • School Clothing: Support for children’s basic school attire

Eligibility is based on:

  • Residency: Must live within the township boundaries
  • Income: Household income must fall below set thresholds set in our standards.
  • Need: Must show a verifiable, unmet need for basic living expenses
  • Effort: Applicants must demonstrate attempts to resolve the issue independently

Applicants typically need:

  • Valid photo ID and Social Security numbers for all household members
  • Proof of income and receipts showing how income was spent in the past 30 days
  • Bills or notices related to the assistance requested (e.g., eviction or disconnect notices)
  • Signed application forms and consent for information verification

Each application is reviewed case-by-case, and trustees may refer applicants to other programs if more appropriate. If denied, residents have the right to appeal to the county commissioners.

While Township Assistance is designed to meet basic needs, there are limits to what it can legally or practically support. Trustees generally cannot provide aid for:

  • Cable or Internet bills (unless required for verified medical or employment reasons)
  • Cell phone payments (except in rare cases where communication is essential for safety or employment)
  • Credit card debt or personal loans
  • Vehicle purchases or repairs
  • Legal fees or court fines
  • Child support payments
  • Entertainment expenses (e.g., streaming services, gaming subscriptions)
  • Luxury items (e.g., designer clothing, electronics not deemed essential)
  • Assistance for undocumented individuals (per Indiana Code 12-20-8)
  • Duplicate aid when other public programs (like SNAP or Medicaid) already cover the need
  • Shelter costs if the applicant lives with a relative who owns the property mortgage-free and hasn’t rented it in the past 6 months
  • Aid to individuals convicted of certain crimes (e.g., misdemeanors within 1 year or felonies within 10 years)
  • Repeated assistance without demonstrated personal effort or change in circumstances

Please contact the trustee prior to completing an application