THE VOICE OF THE TOWNSHIP
How Your Money Gets to Those in Need
In the last “voice of the township” I explained the basics of the budget and accounting process. As the states third largest township in terms of size and dollars spent assisting those in need, Wayne Township Trustee’s Office must have strong controls in the management of it’s tax dollars. It is not surprising that you occasionally hear of a township trustee being the focus of media or legal scrutiny. I cannot stress the importance of the system that allows the ability for trustee’s to act immediately since the situations they face can be, and quite often are, life-threatening. The Wayne Township Trustee’s Office has been the township under scrutiny in the past, but it’s my honor and privilege to tell you that it is now considered one of the, if not “the”, model townships in the entire state.
So now sit back, relax, and enjoy the beautiful spring weather that is now finally here as I present part two of how your money gets to those in need.
As Wayne Township Trustee, it is my responsibility to ensure that those eligible applicants in need are provided for. It is also my legal obligation to carefully investigate the circumstances that placed them in need of township services. This process is outlined by the Indiana statutes and conveyed in each Trustee’s standards.
Our process of determining eligibility begins with the federal poverty guidelines:
100% Federal Poverty Level (gross income)
1 Person $817.00
2 Persons $1,100.00
3 Persons $1,383.00
4 Persons $1,667.00
5 Persons $1,950.00
6 Persons $2,233.00
7 Persons $2,517.00
8 Persons $2,800.00
Add $283 per month for each additional household member.
All clients must first fall at or below these guidelines to be eligible for assistance. Although the income guidelines are important, they are not the only criteria used to determine eligibility. Even though this may appear to be very little money, township trustees are required to investigate how the household income was spent. Income and expense verification is a crucial tool in determining eligibility. Clients are required to provide paid bill receipts to verify how income was spent. All this information is placed on a monthly budget form. It is from this document that the family’s needs are determined.
Payments made on non-essential items such, as cable TV or credit card payments, are considered wasted resources and are deducted from the amount of assistance a client is able to receive.
All applicants must have a valid state or federal photo ID and the clients are also checked for outstanding warrants. The clients must live in Wayne Township and be able to show proof of their residence. Clients must also sign a release of information enabling the trustee to access financial records that could have an effect on their eligibility.
The township mainly provides assistance with shelter, utilities, food and medication. All require the above mention verifications but some conditions may vary according to the specific request.
Shelter assistance
Wayne Township requires a home inspection prior to providing shelter assistance. This home inspection ensures that the dwelling meets minimum housing safety standards and also tests for lead based paint. The township provides shelter by paying rent, lot rent, transitional-housing, mortgage and land contracts (mortgage and land contract payments require the recipient to sign a document placing a lien against the property. When it is sold the township recovers your tax dollars).
Utility assistance
Wayne Township provides direct relief for public utilities (gas, electric and water) and also with propane and fuel oil. The client (or an adult member of the household) must have the utility bill in their name (or the landlord’s name) and the bill cannot be over 24 months old. The township does not assist when more than one household uses the same utility meter.
Food assistance
Wayne Township has an Associated Churches Food Bank on site and clients are permitted access to it once a year. They are also referred to their neighborhood food banks. While clients are awaiting their EBT authorization (food stamp card), the township may provide them with a voucher to a local supermarket, but only after they have applied for the state supported food program.
Township assistance was only meant to temporarily satisfy a condition of poverty until a state or federal program designed for long term assistance could replace it. Since your tax dollars fund the relief, I wanted you to have an idea of how it gets to the citizens of this community. I have only briefly covered the three most common forms of assistance. This is the majority of assistance provided.
One of the most important aspects of the law governing township office is the ability to react immediately and create special programs for emergency circumstances that arise. An example of this would be people having to leave their homes due to flooding or sewer problems. When I have spoken publicly, I have quite often said I could not do this job if I didn’t believe in our method and procedures with all of my heart. As proven in the past, we are always willing to change immediately to better serve the citizens of Wayne Township or as special circumstances arise. If your taxes are about $1000.00 a year, it costs less than $20.00 per household to fund the Wayne Township Trustees Office. If someone told you that you could buy an insurance policy for $20.00 a year to prevent losing your home or going without basic services, I know of no one that doesn’t want that assurance and we do so much more than that for this amount. To get a complete description of our services, stop into our office located at 320 East Superior Street or look us up online at www.waynetownship.org.
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