Township Trustee Emergency Assistance (Poor Relief)
Last updated August 2026
This is a program you will not find in most states. Every Indiana township has an elected township trustee who administers township assistance, also called poor relief, a locally funded safety net separate from state programs. Help is delivered township by township, not through a single statewide office, so your first step is finding your trustee.
It is a real legal right, not a favor. Township assistance is a statutory duty under Indiana Code Article 12-20, and the trustee must extend help when your own effort cannot cover a basic necessity. If you have tried and still cannot make ends meet, the trustee is obligated to consider your case.
The help covers the essentials. By law, township assistance can pay for basic necessities like rent and shelter, utilities, food, and medical care, with specific code sections governing medical and food assistance. This is exactly the kind of emergency help that fills the gaps state programs leave.
The process moves quickly by law. After you turn in a completed application, the trustee must notify you in writing within 72 hours, excluding weekends and holidays, of the action taken and your right to appeal. That is faster than almost any other program.
You are not stuck if the answer is no. If the trustee denies or reduces help, the written notice must tell you how to appeal the decision to the county board of commissioners.
To apply, find the trustee of the township where you live using the Indiana Township Association's Find My Trustee tool, then apply with them. The trustee investigates each case, so bring proof of income, expenses, and the emergency. Amounts and standards vary by township, so ask yours what it can do.
Updated August 2026 Program details can change — confirm with the program directly.
Who qualifies
- Low-income residents with a genuine, immediate need; each township trustee sets its own standard and requires proof of need such as a shutoff or eviction notice
- You must apply at the trustee for the township where you live, so assistance and phone numbers are local, not statewide
You may qualify. The program makes the final decision.
How to apply
- 1
Find your township trustee with the Indiana Township Association's Find My Trustee tool.
- 2
Apply with the trustee of the township where you live; bring proof of income, expenses, and the emergency.
- 3
Expect a written decision within 72 hours (excluding weekends and holidays).
- 4
If denied or reduced, use the written notice to appeal to the county board of commissioners.
What to have ready
- Photo ID and proof of where you live
- Proof of income and your expenses
- Proof of the emergency (a shut-off notice, eviction notice, or bill). Standards vary by township.
What the application looks like
Common questions
What is township assistance?
A locally funded emergency safety net that every Indiana township trustee must provide, covering basic necessities like rent, utilities, food, and medical care. It is a statutory duty under Indiana Code 12-20.
How fast is a decision?
The trustee must notify you in writing within 72 hours (excluding weekends and holidays) of the action taken and your right to appeal.
How do I find my trustee?
Use the Indiana Township Association's Find My Trustee tool to look up and contact the elected trustee for the township where you live.
What if I am denied?
The written notice must tell you how to appeal the decision to the county board of commissioners.
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