St. Joseph Township Trustee’s Office - Township Assistance

The Trustee's Office is responsible for administering Township Assistance (formerly known as "Poor Relief") to those eligible applicants who are unable to meet their basic living needs by their own personal efforts and have exhausted other means. In order to receive Township Assistance, a person in need must go through the application process as stipulated by state law. You can review information on this process on this web site. The Trustee and the staff take great pride in achieving the goals of helping those in emergency situations while wisely using taxpayer's resources. The staff investigates each application and the information submitted in order to determine eligibility. Decisions on eligibility are determined by following a set of guidelines created for St. Joseph Township from Indiana State Code. The guidelines are available on this website. Every applicant is guaranteed fair and consistent treatment by using these guidelines and every applicant is treated with courtesy and respect. If for some reason the township is unable to grant a request for assistance or grant the full amount needed, every effort is made to provide information on other community resources. The client who is denied also has the right to appeal a decision through commissioners court. The staff works collaboratively with churches, social service agencies and community organizations to prevent people from falling through the cracks and to improve the quality of live of our township residents.

Shelter Assistance (rent or mortgage payment); Essential Utility Service; Medical care; Food Assistance; Household Essentials; Transportation to seek and accept employment; Burials and Funerals