CHAPTER 17. TEMPORARY AID
IC 12-20-17
Chapter 17. Temporary Aid
IC 12-20-17-1
Investigations; temporary aid necessity
Sec. 1. If a township trustee determines by investigation that a
township assistance applicant or a township assistance applicant's
household requires assistance, the township trustee shall, after
determining that an emergency exists, furnish to the applicant or
household the temporary aid necessary for the relief of immediate
suffering. However, before any further final or permanent relief is
given, the township trustee shall consider whether the applicant's or
household's need can be relieved by means other than an expenditure
of township money.
As added by P.L.2-1992, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.51-1996, SEC.63;
P.L.73-2005, SEC.81.
IC 12-20-17-2
Shelter; expenditure limitations; combination of resources;
referral to appropriate agency; ability to contract with private
agency
Sec. 2. (a) As used in this section, "shelter" means a facility that
provides temporary emergency assistance.
(b) A township trustee may establish, purchase, acquire, maintain,
or operate a shelter for eligible township assistance households
needing temporary housing assistance.
(c) A township having a population of less than eight thousand
(8,000) may not expend more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) to
implement this section without the approval of the county executive.
(d) A township having a population of at least eight thousand
(8,000) may not expend more than one hundred thousand dollars
($100,000) to implement this section without the approval of the
county executive.
(e) In counties where the implementation of this section can be
more efficiently and expeditiously handled in units larger than a
single township, a township trustee may combine resources with
other townships within a county to:
(1) establish one (1) or more household shelter units; and
(2) pay a pro rata share of all administrative and other costs
incidental to the maintenance and operation of each shelter unit
established in subdivision (1).
IC 36-1-7-1 through IC 36-1-7-4 apply to a township electing to
combine its resources with other townships under this subsection.
(f) A township trustee is not required to provide shelter to an
individual who at the time assistance is requested is:
(1) under the influence of drugs or alcohol; or
(2) incapable of self-care.
The township trustee may at no cost to the township refer an
individual described in this subsection to an appropriate agency or
facility located in the county or in an adjoining county that has a
program or charter specifically addressing the problems of substance
abuse, mental illness, or self-care.
(g) A township trustee may contract with a private agency
offering a shelter program in order to comply with this section if the
applicant or the applicant's household is not mandated by the private
agency to participate, as a condition of eligibility, in religious
services.
(h) A township trustee is not obligated to:
(1) enter into a contract with; or
(2) pay shelter costs to;
a shelter that is supported by federal or state funds.
As added by P.L.2-1992, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.51-1996, SEC.64;
P.L.73-2005, SEC.82.
IC 12-20-17-3
Temporary relief to sick and needy persons
Sec. 3. Upon complaint that an individual within the township is:
(1) sick;
(2) in need;
(3) without necessary financial resources; and
(4) likely to suffer;
the township trustee, as administrator of township assistance, shall
investigate and grant the temporary relief required.
As added by P.L.2-1992, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.51-1996, SEC.65;
P.L.73-2005, SEC.83.
IC 12-20-17-4
Nonresidents; temporary county home commitment
Sec. 4. If an individual who is determined to be eligible for
township assistance and entitled to temporary relief is in a township
in which the individual does not have legal residence, the township
trustee, as administrator of township assistance, may, if the trustee
considers advisable, place the individual temporarily in the county
home, if any, where the individual, if capable, is to be employed.
As added by P.L.2-1992, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.51-1996, SEC.66;
P.L.73-2005, SEC.84.