THE VOICE OF THE TOWNSHIP
As Wayne Township Trustee, my primary obligation is helping those who do not have the means to help themselves. This is the simple version. Determining the eligibility of an individual client is much more extensive. Although the process of receiving assistance can be an emotional one for some, the actual process is never based upon emotion but is based upon strict adherence to the Indiana Code for Township Assistance.
Wayne Township has a population of approximately 116,000 people. It’s obvious that they could not all seek assistance at the same time, so we developed a system where clients may apply for assistance on their letter day, which is based upon the first letter of their last name. This system allows clients to make their monthly application on at least four occasions during each month. It also prevents long lines in front of the office in the middle of winter. In the case of emergency conditions, other accommodations are made to alleviate the emergency situation.
WTTO provides assistance with shelter, utilities, medicine, food, transportation and burials.
Clients are required to provide valid federal or state photo identification to reduce incidences of fraud and undergo an outstanding warrants check.
The WTTO philosophy of determining eligibility is based upon a few simple questions:
•Does the client reside in Wayne Township?
•Is the client at or below federal poverty income guidelines?
•Has the client used their resources to help themselves as much as possible?
All clients are required to provide proof of income for the thirty days prior to their application by providing pay stubs from employment or unemployment, award letters, child support printouts, and notarized documents from people who may have provided the client with income.
Verification of expenditures is also required (receipts on how the income a client receives is spent.).
A family budget is created using the income and expense verification. The budget reflects the spending habits of the client. It is the position of WTTO (and the Indiana legislature) that taxpayers only help the clients that use their income properly and don’t waste resources. WTTO then renders one of three decisions: granted, denied, or pending. If WTTO grants assistance, the clients are not given cash benefits. Their landlords are paid if they requested rent or the utility company or the pharmacy if they requested prescription medication. Unlike other government agencies, 100% of the assistance goes towards paying the basic necessity.
If a pending decision is rendered, a client is given a notice of other materials necessary to make a legal determination of eligibility and a follow-up appointment. If a client is denied assistance, a legal reason must be given and they have a right to appeal that decision with the Allen County Commissioners.
Since it is possible that someone can be well in need and not qualify for assistance, the Wayne Township Trustee’s Office also has a community resource specialist who only works with clientele that have been denied direct assistance to try and find them help at other agencies.
All applicants are required to look for work and are denied assistance if they fail to seek and accept gainful employment. Those who do receive assistance (and are physically able) are required to work for non-profit agencies in an effort to return equity to the taxpaying community.
Those who are physically unable to come into the office or hospitalized can still apply for assistance. WTTO has a home investigator that will come to the client if no other arrangements can be made.
Applying for government assistance should never be a demeaning process. Our investigators are trained to deal with the situations our clients bring and to be courteous during the process. To help insure proper service to the citizens coming to our office, each client has a chance to evaluate their investigator each time they come into the office.
We value the application experience as much as we value the taxpayer who provides the means to help his fellow citizen when their efforts fall short. On behalf of the staff of the Wayne Township Trustee’s Office, we would like to offer you our most sincere appreciation and thanks for your generous support to help those in need in our community.
We hope your Holiday Season was happy and your Christmas was most joyous.
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