Center Township Assistance Guidelines

Welcome to the Office of the Center Township Trustee.

Township assistance is designed to provide necessary and prompt relief to the citizens and residents of Indiana.

Township assistance is usually granted on a temporary or emergency basis; however, assistance may be provided an individual or household as long as a need can be demonstrated.

Each township must adopt eligibility standards and guidelines, and must include financial and non-financial eligibility statements regarding needs to be met and a description of application procedures.

In compliance with all applicable law and guidelines, the following is a set of policies and procedures that are used in determining eligibility in a prompt, uniform and courteous manner for township assistance in Center Township of La Porte County.

Respectfully,

Lisa M. Pierzakowski, Trustee
Center Township, La Porte County

The office of the Center Township Trustee is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, from 9 AM until 4 PM and 9 AM until 12 PM on Friday (excluding legal holidays).  When the office is closed, a message may be left for the Trustee by calling 219-362-2736.  The trustee reserves the right to modify office hours in conformity to the needs of the township.  In such event, the Trustee will post notice. The Trustee’s office may also be closed at other times when it is necessary for personnel to participate in educational programs or seminars.

All applications for assistance will be processed according to uniform written standards and without consideration of the race, creed, nationality, or gender of the applicant or any member of the applicant’s household.  Discrimination in any aspect is prohibited by law.

To qualify for township assistance, you must comply with the standards and procedures set forth in these guidelines.

For the purpose of township assistance, “household” means any of the following:

1. An individual living alone
2. A family related by blood
3. A group of individuals living together at one (1) residence as a domestic unit with mutual economic dependency.

The Trustee may not extend aid to individuals or households unless an application and affidavit setting forth the personal condition of the individual or household has been filed with the Trustee within one hundred eighty (180) days before the date of the extension of assistance.  The application must be on the form prescribed by the State Board of Accounts, currently known as TA-1.

This form is to be completed by each person who applies for township assistance.  Any person expressing a desire for assistance shall be permitted to apply, whether or not the Trustee believes the person to be eligible.  Each completed form must be filed in the Trustee’s office, whether or not assistance is granted on the application.

If, before granting assistance, the Trustee determines that an applicant or a member of an applicant’s household may be eligible for public assistance other than that provided by the Trustee’s office, the applicant or household member shall, when referred by the Trustee, make an application and comply with all necessary requirements for completing the application process for public assistance administered by the Division of Family and Children Services, any La Porte County office, or any other federal or state governmental entity such as, but not limited to, Food Stamps, Medicaid, etc.)

An applicant or household member who fails to file such application not more than fifteen (15) working days after the Trustee’s referral may be denied township assistance for not more than sixty (60) days.

Any person in need may obtain aid from the Township where he / she lives.  It is not necessary to live in a particular Township for any specific length of time so long as a person lives within the Township where application is made.  An application for assistance may be made in a Township where residence is not established if a need is demonstrated and the person is unable to return to the Township of residence for such assistance.  However, a person in a Township solely for assistance will be ineligible.

It shall be the policy of the Trustee to not spend funds on behalf of an applicant’s dependents to establish residence within the Township.  To be eligible for assistance, an applicant must have established an association with the Township.

The definition of residency / household shall not be construed to mean temporary living arrangements made available by friends, relatives, their acquaintances or social services agencies, either public or private. The residency must not be established for the primary purpose of qualifying for township assistance.

Any individual or family where the head of the household is eighteen (18) years of age or older or where the individual or household head is legally and completely emancipated at an earlier age will be eligible for assistance from the office of the Township Trustee.

If an applicant for Township assistance has been determined eligible the Trustee has the authority to provide such assistance in the most economical and practical manner any or all of the following:

Food – The Trustee shall refer any individual or household before, or immediately upon their application for food relief to the food stamp agency.  The Trustee does not normally purchase food for anyone currently receiving food stamps.  A referral will be made to local food pantries.

Rent – The Trustee only pays rent for the number of bedrooms actually required for the number of persons in the household.  The Trustee will not pay any rental due when either of the following conditions exist:

1. When neither the applicant/recipient nor a legally qualified dependent living in the household of the applicant/recipient is not a named party to a rental lease agreement.
2. The applicant/recipient and a non-spouse or co-lessee does not meet the requirement for township assistance.
3. Shelter assistance will not be paid to relatives (as landlords) on behalf of an applicant.
4. Center Township cannot pay security deposits or first month’s rent.

(Revised 1-2026)

Applicants may be eligible for township assistance if total monthly income is less than the following standards:

For each additional bedroom add $150 per bedroom.

Shelter – The most practical and economical method of providing shelter will be used based on reasonable basic rates as per local availabilities.  See attached Appendix B for detailed listing of township housing policy and assistance levels.

Essential Utility Services – the Trustee, in cases of necessity and if the applicant otherwise qualifies, will authorize the payment for water services, gas services, electric services (including delinquent bills, only when necessary to prevent their termination), fuel oil services for fuel oil used for heating or cooking, or liquid propane used for heating or cooking.

The utility service must be in the name of an adult member of the requesting household, an emancipated minor who is the head of the household.  The Trustee will not pay for any utility service received as a result of a fraudulent act by any adult member of household requesting township assistance.

The Trustee does not pay service charges, deposits, repairs, or transfer fees.

The township will not consider the payment of delinquent utility bills if the applicant was ineligible for township assistance at the time the utility services were incurred.

The township will not consider the payment of “master metered” utility service when more than one household is served by the same meter.

During the period the state’s energy assistance program is in effect, the township will not pay or consider the payment of utility bills until after the state’s energy assistance is credited to the applicant’s account.

Fuel oil or L.P. gas must be ordered by the Trustee.  No payment on fuel bills will be made if ordered by the applicant. 

Energy Programs – applicants seeking Township assistance with the payment of energy bills must first utilize all available federal and state programs designed to assist indigent households with the cost of energy, and must furnish the township with written proof that an application for such assistance has been requested from other governmental sources.  During that part of the year when applications are being accepted by the state’s Energy Assistance Program, the township shall inform an applicant for assistance for heating fuel or electric services that assistance may be available from the state.  After an application has been submitted to the Energy Assistance Program and if the applicant was approved for assistance through such program the applicant must be making payments throughout the moratorium of at least fifty percent (50%) of their energy bill each month.  If applicant does not make such payments they can be denied for assistance through the Trustee’s office for their energy bill for failure to make such payments.  

Before payment will so be authorized, the applicant/recipient must have first attempted to make reasonable arrangements with the appropriate utility company, and in the event that arrangements have been made, the trustee will only pay that part of the agreed-upon payments, which are beyond the ability of the applicant/recipient to pay.

The township will not consider the payment of delinquent utility bills if the applicant was ineligible for Township Assistance at the time the cost was incurred, or the delinquent bill is older than twenty-four (24) months.

Medical Care – Township assistance may be considered for qualifying prescriptions, after submitting a completed application for Township assistance, in the event that those prescriptions are not covered by the applicant’s participation in Medicaid, Medicare, or any other government program.  Exception: Center Township cannot pay for any psychotropic medications.

Burial Expense – if not covered by insurance or under another agency’s program.  Application must be made prior to making funeral and/or burial arrangements.  The Trustee will provide for necessary and reasonable funeral expenses as required.  See Appendix C for further explanation.

It shall be the duty of the Trustee to acquaint himself, as far as possible, with the work of all such relief societies or other organizations for charitable purposes servicing his/her township, and to cooperate with them in any way he may deem advisable, to the end that the unnecessary duplication of assistance may be avoided. 

Emergencies, extraordinary expenses or other conditions contrary to the above standards may exist that allows eligibility to applicants otherwise deemed to be ineligible.  

Monthly income will include all income available to the household from any source available, but excluding any value of food stamp assistance.  Gross monthly income during the previous month will be considered and the gross monthly income will be projected for the coming month, including income that is reasonably certain to be received within the month.  Income not received or uncertain will not be counted toward eligibility.

Countable Income Includes:

• Gross wages before mandatory deductions
• Social Security benefits, including Supplemental Security income
• TANF
• Unemployment compensation
• Worker’s compensation, excluding that which is restricted for the payment of medical expenses
• Vacation pay
• Sick Benefits
• Strike benefits
• Private or public pensions
• Taxable income from self-employment
• Bartered goods and services provided for payment of non-essential needs
• Child support
• Gifts of cash, goods, or services
• Monthly benefit – Federal Section 8 housing
• Any other source that the Trustee may reasonably determine to be countable

Resources available to the applicant beyond those necessary for basic living needs and to earn a livelihood will be considered as assets and may affect eligibility.  Except where it is reasonable to borrow on the equity, resources that are exempt will include an automobile and the house where the household resides.

A household that applies for township assistance and has income must present receipts to verify how that income was spent.  The Trustee’s office will require receipts for the expenditure of all income received by all members of the household.  Only receipts for the basic necessities of living will be recognized.

Expenditures – Only receipts for the basic necessities of living will be recognized as an acceptable expenditure.  The township will require receipts for all expenditures of income/benefits received by any and all members of the household.  Hand written receipts provided by friends or relatives are considered unacceptable.  Undocumented expenditures will be counted as unexpended income.  Expenditures for items not considered “basic necessities” will not be recognized.  Receipts should closely balance with reported income.

Receipts – When a household applies for Township Assistance, both initially and on a continuing month by month basis, members of the household must verify “HOW” their income was expended.  (Attorney fees, probationary fees, drug and alcohol program fees, fines, court costs, bail, user fees for an in home detention program, restitution, or any other expenditure directly or indirectly associated with the applicant or a member of the applicant’s household, because of their involvement with the courts), will NOT be recognized as a legitimate expense.  It will, however, be counted as unexpended income.

Basic Necessities – are defined, for the purpose of Township Assistance Administration, include those services or items essential to meet the minimum standards of health, safety, and decency such as:   food, shelter, clothing including footwear, medical, transportation to seek and accept employment, household supplies, essential utility service, and other necessary services or items as the trustee may determine.

“Wasted Resources” is defined for the purpose of township assistance administration, as an amount of money or resources expended for items or services that are not considered basic necessities during the thirty (30) day period before the date of application.  Additionally, resources or tax supported services lost or reduced as a result of a voluntary act during the sixty (60) days before the date of application for township assistance by an adult member of the household will be considered “wasted” unless the adult can establish a good reason for the act.

Failure to apply for, or to maintain eligibility for other forms of assistance such as : Unemployment compensation, Insurance benefits (health, disability, etc.), Social Security, Supplemental Social Security, HUD and other subsidized rental assistance, Energy Assistance, Food Stamps, TANF, Medicaid, HCI, Salvation Army, Family Services, and Legal Services, and other specialized benefit programs for which an applicant may be eligible, is considered an intentional waste of available resources for the purpose of receiving township assistance and shall be grounds for denial.

Automobiles – An automobile is not, by statute, recognized as a basic necessity.  Reasonable automobile payments and other related expenses, however, may be acceptable for work-related purposes. 

After an application for township assistance is made, the Trustee shall carefully investigate the circumstances of the applicant and each member of the applicant’s household to ascertain the following:

1. Legal residence
2. Names and ages
3. Physical condition relating to sickness or health
4. Present and previous occupation
5. Ability and capacity to perform labor
6. The cause or the applicant’s or family member’s condition if the applicant or family member is found to be in distress and the cause can be ascertained.
7. Whether the applicant or a member of the applicant’s household is entitled to income in the immediate future from any source, including the following:
   1. past or present employment
   2. a pending claim or cause of action that may result in a monetary award being received by any member of the applicant’s household claiming to be in need.
   3. a pending determination for assistance from any other federal or state government entity

The trustee shall inquire as to the family relationship of the Township assistance applicant and, as far as possible, shall before granting aid a second time, ascertain whether the assistance applicant has relatives able and willing to assist the applicant.

An investigation of an application may include a home visit and contact with other members of the applicant’s family and his or her employers, both present and past, if necessary.

The Trustee also shall determine whether an applicant is a recipient of public assistance and if the applicant is receiving other public assistance, the Trustee has no obligation to extend aid to that recipient.

Failure to comply with any requirements set forth in these guidelines will make the applicant ineligible for township assistance.

If the township finds that an individual has obtained assistance from any township by knowingly or willingly falsifying their affidavit, or by misrepresenting the facts or withholding vital information or by means of conduct described in the Welfare Fraud statutes, the township shall refuse to extend aid for sixty (60) days.  The township will also make a criminal referral to the county prosecutor’s office.

Once an application for township assistance is filed with the Trustee, the Trustee shall act on all non-emergency applications not later than seventy-two (72) hours, excluding weekends and legal holidays.  However, failure to provide information or unusual circumstances may delay the decision.  The trustee’s office shall retain a copy of each application and affidavit whether or not relief is granted.  However, the Trustee shall accept and promptly act upon an application from an individual requesting emergency assistance.

Notice of Action – The applicant will be given a written notice of the township’s decision.  Included in the notice will be:

1. the type and amount of assistance granted
2. the type and amount of assistance denied or partially granted

If assistance is denied, the reasons for the denial will be stated.  The denial notice will be on Form TA 1A.  This will inform the applicant of their right to appeal the trustee’s decision to the Board of Commissioners, and where the appeal is to be filed.  The TA 1A form may be presented to the applicant or sent to them, at their last known address, via the U.S. Postal Service.

Any appeal of a Trustee decision must be made within fifteen (15) days from the date the Trustee denies assistance, if the applicant has been informed of his right to appeal the procedure for such appeal.

Workfare Requirements – The township shall require a recipient household to do any work needed to be done within the township or an adjoining township or for any governmental unit (including the state) having jurisdiction in those townships, or for a not for profit social service agency. (IC 12-20-1101)

Workfare Obligation – Minimum criteria for satisfactory participation in the workfare program shall be established by the township with a maximum of one shift per day or five shifts per week.  Un-excused absences for scheduled workfare assignments may result in the discontinuance of township assistance.

Workfare Participation – The recipient is required to maintain the minimum criteria that is necessary for the fulfillment of his/her workfare responsibility until such time as his/her obligation with the township is satisfied.  Recipients will not be permitted to voluntarily work in advance of receiving township assistance in order to accrue workfare credit.  It is the sole responsibility of the recipient to meet the criteria of workfare participation.  In satisfying this obligation, only the recipient or members of the recipient’s household will be allowed to perform the required work.  

Workfare Compensation – Work performed is considered “as satisfaction of a condition for Township Assistance and is not considered as services performed for remuneration”.  The recipient shall be required to do an amount of work that equals the value of assistance at a rate no less than the existing Federal Minimum wage.  This translates into hours the recipient will owe in total workfare hours.

The township will not extend aid to or for the benefit of any member of an applicant’s household if the aid requested would pay for goods or services that were previously requested and denied by the township.  Also, denials may be given to individual applicants for one or more of the following reasons:

Frequently reporting the loss or theft of money or food stamps

Making an assignment of or transferring assets, by an applicant or another member of an applicant’s household, during the six (6) month period immediately preceding the filing of an affidavit and application for township assistance.

Failure to cooperate with or provide the township with the necessary information for determining eligibility.  Failure to provide needed information / documentation to other tax supported public assistance programs.  The township does not require an applicant to obtain verifications when the township already has or can readily obtain the needed information. Denial up to 60 days.

Failure of the applicant or a member of an applicant’s household to apply “one time” monetary awards toward the household’s monthly basic need expenses.  One time monetary awards may include, but are not necessarily limited to the following:  Energy Assistance, Retroactive Social Security Payments, Workmen’s Compensation, Inheritances, Pensions, Insurance Settlements, Income Tax Returns, or any other “one time” cash award which is available to the household and can be used for basic necessities.  The township shall consider the amount of the “cash award” when determining the duration of the denial.

Failure to file paternity actions when necessary and appropriate, or failing to take the necessary legal action to pursue child support.

Falsifying Application – if the township discovers that the application was willfully falsified, assistance may be denied for a period of 60 days.

Wasted Resources – defined as an amount of money or resources expended for items or services that are not considered basic necessities during the thirty (30) day period before the date of application.  Also, any income, resources, or tax supported services lost or reduced as a result of a voluntary act during the sixty (60) days before the date of application for township assistance by an adult member of the applicant’s household, unless the adult can establish a good reason for the act, including voluntarily terminating gainful employment or being involuntarily terminated for just cause.

Previous Ability to Pay – the township shall not be obligated to pay for services or the cost of goods incurred by an applicant or member of an applicant’s household during the period the applicant or a member of the applicant’s household had sufficient income or resources to have paid for either the goods or services.

Being evicted or forced to vacate present living quarters because of an act that violates the terms of the lease or landlord / tenant agreement, by the applicant or any adult member of the applicant’s household; or the applicant invites or allows other adults to use or move into their household.

Failure to accept free or low cost shelter arrangements provided by relatives or others.  The trustee may deny assistance to otherwise eligible persons when the individual’s most recent residence was provided by the individual’s parent, guardian, or foster parent and the individual, without just cause, leaves that residence.

Moving into or coming to the township for the specific purpose of applying for and / or receiving township assistance.

Failure to liquidate countable assets.  

Employment –  if an applicant for Township assistance is in good health, or if any members of the household are so, the trustee shall insist that those able to labor shall seek employment. And the trustee shall refuse to furnish any aid until he/she is satisfied that the persons claiming help are endeavoring to find work for themselves.  Each able-bodied adult member of the household will, at a minimum, be required to maintain an updated employment file with the Indiana Department of Employment and Training Services, as well as provide other reasonable documentation that they are trying to find employment.  The township may also require any adult member of the applicant household to complete minimum number of employment applications prior to receiving continued Township assistance.  These forms may be required on a monthly basis.  The recipient is required to dress and conduct his or herself appropriately to increase every opportunity for employment.

Refusing gainful employment – if an applicant refuses employment at reasonable compensation or fails to actively seek gainful employment offered by any individual, governmental agency, or employer, the township shall not be required to provide assistance until the applicant performs the work or shows just cause for not taking employment.

Failure to Attend Training Sessions – as a condition of township assistance an applicant may be required to attend employment workshops in an effort to better the chances of finding employment.  Failure to comply with this condition may result in the denial of benefits for the thirty (30) day period.

TANF Sanctions / Denials – the township is not obligated and will not extend aid to an assistance applicant or any member of an applicant’s household if any member of that household has been denied assistance or sanctioned by the local office of the Indiana Division of Family and Children for non-compliance of, or violations of Title 12, Article 14 of the Indiana Code.  The township may continue to refuse to give Township Assistance until the sanctioned or denial by the Indiana Division of Family and Children has been lifted or rectified.  

Welfare / Township Assistance Fraud – a person convicted of an offense under IC 35-43-5-7 (welfare fraud) shall not be eligible for benefits for the following periods:  one (1) year if convicted of a misdemeanor, and ten (10) years if convicted of a felony.  

Violence, threats of violence, abusive language, or other inappropriate behavior to the township staff or on the township property will not be permitted and shall be cause for the denial of assistance for a period of sixty (60) days.

Basic necessities defined:  Basic needs for purposes of IC 12-20, includes those services for or items essential to meet the minimum standards of health, safety and decency, including the following.

• Medical care described in IC 12-20-16-2
• Clothing/footwear
• Food (this does not include eating out, unless this is the only means)
• Shelter
• Transportation to seek/accept employment on a reasonable basis
• Household essentials
• Essential utility services
• Other services or items the Township Trustee determines are necessities

Relatives defined:  For the purposes of these standards and guidelines, the term “relative” shall include only the parent, stepparent, child, stepchild, sibling, stepsibling, grandparent, step grandparent, grandchild, step grandchild, aunt, uncle, step aunt, step uncle of the applicant for township assistance.

For general auditing purposes, “Housing Assistance” shall be referred herein as “shelter” assistance.

Shelter means a house, mobile home, an apartment, a group of rooms, or a single room that is occupied or is intended for occupancy as separate living quarters where the occupant or intended occupant:

1. does not live and eat with any other individual in the building, and
2. has direct access to the occupant’s living quarters from the outside of the building or through a common hall.

Shelter is defined to include rent, and may include land contract payments and mortgage payments.

The Trustee shall provide aid necessary to prevent the loss of shelter and / or eviction in the most economical and practical method to relieve the applicant.

Applicant must be past due in rent or payments, before an application can be made to the township for assistance.  Additionally, an applicant must verify that the home, apartment, or room is the residence he/she is presently living within by providing a rent or mortgage receipt, a lease, driver’s license, utility bill, or voter’s registration card.

The landlord must complete and sign a rent supplement form, and provide proof of ownership before the applicant can be issued rental assistance.  Such assistance shall be the agreement between the township and the landlord in the event that the township will pay a client’s rent. The landlord shall not evict the client during the period covered by the township’s payment.

Shelter assistance will not be paid to relatives (as landlords) on behalf of an applicant.

The Trustee reserves the right to conduct housing inspections to determine habitability, safety, and structural integrity.  Only a township employee may conduct a shelter inspection at the residence in which the client is requesting shelter payments.  The shelter inspector shall verify the client’s occupancy, number of rooms, physical condition of shelter, and other provisions.

It is the policy of the Trustee’s office that it will make shelter payments only to landlords whose property complies with the City of La Porte, or applicable areas’ minimum housing code.

The Township may include mortgage payments in shelter standards.  Mortgage payment may be considered based upon the maximum rental allowances, but payment only will be made on the principle only.  A property lien may accompany certain mortgage assistance.

In accordance with Indiana Code 12-20-16-12, this section does not apply if the coroner assumes jurisdiction of an unclaimed body.

If an individual dies in a township without leaving money or real or personal property or other assets that may be liquidated to defray funeral expenses, and if the deceased is not a resident of another township in Indiana, the Trustee, as administrator of poor relief, shall provide a person to superintend and authorize either the funeral and burial or cremation of the deceased individual.

If the Trustee determines that the deceased individual is a resident of another township in Indiana, the Trustee shall notify the Trustee of that township, who shall then authorize assistance.  The necessary and reasonable expenses of the funeral and burial or cremation including a burial plot shall be paid in the same manner as other claims for township assistance.

The Trustee may deduct from the maximum amount listed below any monetary benefits to which the deceased individual is entitled to receive from a state or federal program or any money that another person provides on behalf of the deceased individual.  

Effective January 1, 2026, the Center Township Trustee is still in negotiation with the area funeral homes regarding the cost of immediate cremation and immediate burial.  Once negotiations are complete Appendix D will be included to the Center Township Standards and Eligibility for Township Assistance Guidelines with the breakdown of cost.  

Center Township will allow funeral directors to bill an additional $300.00 if there is a family member or friend who can contribute toward the burial of the deceased.  

Upon the death of a person established as a resident of Center Township the Next of Kin must notify Center Township within 24-48 hours of the death so that the Center Township Trustee can conduct a home inspection, secure the home and do an inventory of assets of the deceased before a decision on eligibility for assistance is given.  This enables the township to possibly liquidate said assets in order to defray the costs associated with burial/cremation of deceased.

A burial assistance application must be filed with the Trustee and signed by the “next of kin” before any funeral or burial arrangements are discussed.  An authorized family member or friend must contact the Trustee immediately (within 24-48 hours) if they believe there are no funds to bury the deceased.  Failure to comply with this provision could result in denial of burial assistance.  The decision of eligibility can take up to the maximum of Forty-eight (48) hours.