About The Process

Please call our office at 765-552-0871 to schedule an appointment to apply for aid.

ELIGIBILITY

To provide direct assistance for shelter and utilities the Trustee needs to determine that unforeseen circumstances have led to financial difficulty and that short-term aid will help residents get back on track. Eligibility for the other programs offered by the Trustee is focused mostly on financial need.

Specifically, our office will consider the following factors when determining eligibility for assistance:

  • Is there an immediate need or emergency?

    1. What does the household budget look like? Have resources been spent on necessary items? Is there a demonstrated financial need?

    2. Did unexpected circumstances or unplanned events lead to financial hardship?

    3. Will short-term assistance help sustain residency in Pipe Creek Township?

    4. Is there a future ability to maintain the household?

We know every resident is in a unique situation, so we carefully review all factors, needs, and requests before making a decision. Due to limited resources, our office is forced to use the strict guidelines explained above. However, we will always guide residents to other available resources and programs if we are unable to provide direct assistance.

What Applicants Need To Provide

  • A valid Indiana identification card or valid Indiana Driver’s license.

    • We cannot accept out of state identification cards.

  • Social Security Cards (All members in the household)

  • All household income for the previous 30 day period

    • Includes check stubs

    • If the applicant is missing pay stubs, a wage history report or wage history ledger will need to be provided by the applicant’s employer.

    • Social Security

    • Child Support

    • Unemployment

  • Bank statements for past 30 days

  • Receipts for past 30 days (if no bank statements are available)

  • All bills for the past 30 days

  • Current Food Stamps/TANF Printout

  • Documentation of the unpredictable circumstance or unforeseeable event that directly caused the hardship

    • Police report if applicable

    • Medical bills if applicable

During an appointment at our office, residents will sit down with a staff member to talk about their emergency and how they came to their financial troubles. In addition to explaining the assistance offered by the Trustee, our staff will discuss available community programs and services that may best meet that individual’s or family’s needs.

After speaking with a staff member, the next step is to start filling out the assistance application. All adult members of the household are required to sign the application in our office. In addition, our office is also required to collect identification and a number of financial documents. The process will take an hour to complete and may require additional visits or phone conversations if more information is needed.

After the application process is complete, our office will have a decision for residents within three business days.

Burials

The Trustee’s office will provide for dignified funeral and burial services when family members are unable to pay for services and insurance is unavailable to cover the costs. Family members or service providers should contact our office with requests so that we can connect you with our partner cemetery and funeral homes.