IC 12-20-16
Chapter 16. Provision of Various Forms of Township Assistance
IC 12-20-16-1 Assistance only upon necessity
Sec. 1. A township trustee, as administrator of township
assistance, may provide and shall extend township assistance only
when the personal effort of the township assistance applicant fails to
provide one (1) or more basic necessities. As added by P.L.2-1992, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.51-1996, SEC.53;
P.L.73-2005, SEC.69.
IC 12-20-16-2 Medical assistance; necessity
Sec. 2. (a) Except as provided in subsections (b) and (c), the
township trustee shall, in cases of necessity, do the following:
(1) Promptly provide medical assistance for poor individuals in
the township who are not provided for in public institutions.
(2) See that medicines, medical supplies, special diets, or tests
prescribed by a physician or surgeon in attendance upon poor
individuals in the township are properly furnished.
(b) A township trustee may not provide to an individual medical
assistance under the township assistance program if the individual
could qualify for medical assistance for the same service under:
(1) IC 12-16;
(2) Medicaid;
(3) other governmental medical programs; or
(4) private health insurance that would cover the individual at
the time the assistance was provided. However, if the
individual's insurance does not pay for the medical assistance
due to a policy deductible or other policy limitation, the
township trustee shall pay for medical assistance that the trustee
would provide if the individual did not have insurance.
However, a township trustee may provide interim medical services
during the period that the individual has an application pending for
medical assistance under Medicaid (IC 12-15) or another
governmental medical program if the individual is reasonably
complying with all requirements of the application process.
(c) The township trustee shall pay only for the following medical
services for the poor of the township:
(1) Prescription drugs, not to exceed a thirty (30) day supply at
a time, as prescribed by an attending practitioner (as defined in
IC 16-42-19-5) other than a veterinarian. However, if the
prescription drugs are available only in a container that contains
more than a thirty (30) day supply, the township trustee may
pay for the available size.
(2) Office calls to a physician licensed under IC 25-22.5 or
another medical provider.
(3) Dental care needed to relieve pain or infection or to repair
cavities.
(4) Repair or replacement of dentures.
(5) Emergency room treatment that is of an emergency nature.
(6) Preoperation testing prescribed by an attending physician
licensed under IC 25-22.5.
(7) Over-the-counter drugs prescribed by a practitioner (as
defined in IC 16-42-19-5) other than a veterinarian.
(8) X-rays and laboratory testing as prescribed by an attending
physician licensed under IC 25-22.5.
(9) Visits to a medical specialist when referred by an attending
physician licensed under IC 25-22.5.
(10) Physical therapy prescribed by an attending physician
licensed under IC 25-22.5.
(11) Eyeglasses.
(12) Repair or replacement of a prosthesis not provided for by
other tax supported state or federal programs.
(13) Insulin and items needed to administer the biological, not
to exceed a thirty (30) day supply at a time, in accordance with
section 14 of this chapter. However, if the biologicals are
available only in a container that contains more than a thirty
(30) day supply, the township trustee may pay for the available
size.
(d) The township trustee may establish a list of approved medical
providers to provide medical services to the poor of the township.
Any medical provider who:
(1) can provide the particular medical services within the scope
of the provider's license issued under IC 25; and
(2) is willing to provide the medical services for the charges
established by the township trustee;
is entitled to be included on the list.
(e) Unless prohibited by federal law, a township trustee who:
(1) provides to an individual medical assistance that is eligible
for payment under any medical program described in subsection
(b) for which payments are administered by an agency of the
state during the pendency of the individual's successful
application for the program; and
(2) submits a timely and proper claim to the agency;
is eligible for reimbursement by the agency to the same extent as any
medical provider.
(f) If a township trustee provides medical assistance for medical
services provided to an individual who is subsequently determined
to be eligible for Medicaid:
(1) the township trustee shall notify the medical provider that
provided the medical services of the individual's eligibility; and
(2) not later than thirty (30) days after the medical provider
receives the notice under subdivision (1), the medical provider
shall file a claim for reimbursement with the office.
(g) A medical provider that is reimbursed under subsection (f)
shall, not later than thirty (30) days after receiving the
reimbursement, pay to the township trustee the lesser of:
(1) the amount of medical assistance received from the trustee
to an individual; or
(2) the amount reimbursed by Medicaid to the medical provider. As added by P.L.2-1992, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.51-1996, SEC.54;
P.L.262-2003, SEC.4; P.L.73-2005, SEC.70.
IC 12-20-16-3 Utility services payment; necessity; eligibility
Sec. 3. (a) The township trustee may, in cases of necessity,
authorize the payment from township assistance money for essential
utility services, including the following:
(1) Water services.
(2) Gas services.
(3) Electric services.
(4) Fuel oil services for fuel oil used for heating or cooking.
(5) Coal, wood, or liquid propane used for heating or cooking.
(b) The township trustee may authorize the payment of delinquent
bills for the services listed in subsection (a)(1) through (a)(5) when
necessary to prevent the termination of the services or to restore
terminated service if the delinquency has lasted not longer than
twenty-four (24) months. The township trustee has no obligation to
pay a delinquent bill for the services or materials listed in subsection
(a)(1) through (a)(5) if the delinquency has lasted longer than
twenty-four (24) months.
(c) The township trustee is not required to pay for any utility
service:
(1) that is not properly charged to:
(A) an adult member of a household;
(B) an emancipated minor who is head of the household; or
(C) a landlord or former member of the household if the
applicant proves that the applicant:
(i) received the services as a tenant residing at the service
address at the time the cost was incurred; and
(ii) is responsible for payment of the bill;
(2) received as a result of a fraudulent act by any adult member
of a household requesting township assistance; or
(3) that includes the use of township assistance funds for the
payment of:
(A) a security deposit; or
(B) damages caused by a township assistance applicant to
utility company property.
(d) The amount paid by the township trustee, as administrator of
township assistance, and the amount charged for water services may
not exceed the minimum rate charged for the service as fixed by the
Indiana utility regulatory commission.
(e) This subsection applies only during the part of each year when
applications for heating assistance are accepted by the lieutenant
governor under IC 4-4-33. A township trustee may not provide
assistance to make any part of a payment for heating fuel or electric
services for more than thirty (30) days unless the individual files an
application with the township trustee that includes the following:
(1) Evidence of application for assistance for heating fuel or
electric services from the lieutenant governor.
(2) The amount of assistance received or the reason for denial
of assistance.
The township trustee shall inform an applicant for assistance for
heating fuel or electric services that assistance for heating fuel and
electric services may be available from the lieutenant governor under
IC 4-4-33 and that the township trustee may not provide assistance
to make any part of a payment for those services for more than thirty
(30) days unless the individual files an application for assistance for
heating fuel or electric services under IC 4-4-33. However, if the
applicant household is eligible under criteria established by the
lieutenant governor for energy assistance under IC 4-4-33, the trustee
may certify the applicant as eligible for that assistance by completing
an application form prescribed by the state board of accounts and
forwarding the eligibility certificate to the lieutenant governor within
the period established for the acceptance of applications. If the
trustee follows this certification procedure, no other application is
required for assistance under IC 4-4-33.
(f) If an individual or a member of an individual's household has
received assistance under subsection (b), the individual must, before
the individual or the member of the individual's household may
receive further assistance under subsection (b), certify whether the
individual's or household's income, resources, or household size has
changed since the individual filed the most recent application for
township assistance. If the individual or a member of the individual's
household certifies that the income, resources, or household size has
changed, the township trustee shall review the individual's or
household's eligibility and may make any necessary adjustments in
the level of assistance provided to the individual or to a member of
the individual's household. As added by P.L.2-1992, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.51-1996, SEC.55;
P.L.259-2001, SEC.7; P.L.73-2005, SEC.71; P.L.141-2006, SEC.60;
P.L.181-2006, SEC.55; P.L.1-2007, SEC.125.
IC 12-20-16-4
Repealed
(Repealed by P.L.51-1996, SEC.77.)
IC 12-20-16-5 Food relief
Sec. 5. (a) An applicant or a household that receives food relief in
any township having a population of more than ten thousand
(10,000) may request the township trustee, as administrator of
township assistance, to issue a food order upon any eligible market,
and the township trustee, as administrator of township assistance,
shall abide by that request.
(b) The amount of a food order for various sized households that
are determined by the trustee to be eligible for township assistance
shall be based upon uniform monthly amounts specified in the
township's township assistance standards. However, an additional
amount of food may be ordered for special health reasons as
prescribed by a physician. A supplemental food order may be issued
because of the loss of the recipient's food by:
(1) fire, flood, or other natural disaster;
(2) burglary or other criminal act; or
(3) the unpreventable spoilage of food.
(c) The trustee may issue a food order to an eligible applicant on
either a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. As added by P.L.2-1992, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.51-1996, SEC.56;
P.L.73-2005, SEC.72.
IC 12-20-16-6 Federal food stamp program eligibility
Sec. 6. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), a township
trustee, as administrator of township assistance, may not purchase
food out of the township assistance fund for an applicant or a
household that is eligible to participate in the federal food stamp
program.
(b) A township trustee, as administrator of township assistance,
may purchase food for an eligible food stamp applicant or household
only under any of the following conditions:
(1) During the interim period beginning when an applicant or a
household is awaiting a determination of eligibility from the
food stamp office and ending not more than five (5) days after
the day the applicant or household becomes eligible to
participate in the federal food stamp program.
(2) Upon the verified loss of the household's food stamps or
food supply by:
(A) fire or other natural disaster; or
(B) burglary or other criminal act, if the requesting applicant
or household files a report with the appropriate law
enforcement agency.
(3) Upon the loss of the applicant's or household's food supply
through spoilage.
(4) Upon a written statement from a physician indicating that at
least one (1) member of the household needs a special diet, the
cost of which is greater than can be purchased with the
household's allotment of food stamps.
(5) If the township trustee, as administrator of township
assistance, determines that an applicant or a household:
(A) is in need of supplementary food assistance; and
(B) has participated in the federal food stamp program to the
fullest extent allowable under federal and state law;
and supplementary food assistance is required by the
circumstances of the particular case. As added by P.L.2-1992, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.51-1996, SEC.57;
P.L.73-2005, SEC.73.
IC 12-20-16-7 Eligible markets; continuing eligibility; purchase order itemization
Sec. 7. (a) A combined grocery (marketing fresh vegetables, fresh
eggs, and dairy products) and meat market (marketing fresh meat) in
a township having a population of more than ten thousand (10,000)
is eligible to accept food purchase orders from the township trustee,
as administrator of township assistance, in the township in which the
market is located if the owner of the market has applied to the
township trustee using a form prescribed by the state board of
accounts.
(b) A market described in subsection (a) remains eligible to accept
township food purchase orders unless any of the following
conditions exist:
(1) The owner notifies the township trustee, as administrator of
township assistance, to remove the owner's market from the
eligible list.
(2) An appropriate health or other governmental agency closes
the market.
(3) The township trustee, as administrator of township
assistance, removes the market from the eligible list for a period
not to exceed six (6) months because the management of the
market, in filling a township food or household supply order:
(A) includes in the order tobacco products, alcoholic
beverages, or other nonqualifying items; or
(B) fails to routinely request identification from an
individual who redeems a township purchase order.
(4) A person who owns or is employed by the market has been
convicted of township assistance fraud under IC 12-20-1-4(c).
(c) A combined grocery and meat market shall, in filling a
township purchase order for food and household supplies, attach to
the purchase order form either a cash register tape or a written or
typed itemization of the cost of the food and household supplies
purchased. Household supplies, including first aid and medical
supplies, are not considered food.
(d) The cash register tape or itemization required by subsection
(c) is the full and complete record of purchase for all purposes. More
complete records or itemization may not be required by any
individual, government official, or entity. As added by P.L.2-1992, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.51-1996, SEC.58;
P.L.73-2005, SEC.74.
IC 12-20-16-8 Incompetent head of family; alternate food purchase order
issuance
Sec. 8. (a) If an applicant or a household is considered by the
township trustee, as administrator of township assistance, to be
incompetent or irresponsible to select food from a combined grocery
and meat market or to make proper use of food stamps, the township
trustee, as administrator of township assistance, shall issue the food
purchase order in the name of one (1) of the following:
(1) Another adult member of the household.
(2) Another relative living in another household.
(3) Any other individual considered competent by the township
trustee, as administrator of township assistance.
(b) For the purpose of selecting the combined grocery and meat
market in a township having a population of more than ten thousand
(10,000) from which food for the household is to be obtained, the
competent individual referred to in subsection (a) shall be considered
the individual responsible. As added by P.L.2-1992, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.51-1996, SEC.59;
P.L.73-2005, SEC.75.
IC 12-20-16-9 Limitation on food assistance; food stamp application
Sec. 9. (a) A township trustee may not provide food assistance for
more than thirty (30) days unless an individual files an application
with the township trustee that includes the following:
(1) Evidence of application for food stamps from the division
of family resources.
(2) The amount of assistance received or the reason for denial
of assistance.
(b) The township trustee shall inform an applicant for food
assistance that food stamps may be available from the division of
family resources and that the township trustee may not provide food
assistance for more than thirty (30) days unless the individual files
an application for food stamps with the division of family resources. As added by P.L.2-1992, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.145-2006,
SEC.119.
IC 12-20-16-10 Livestock; feed instead of cost of food
Sec. 10. The township trustee, as administrator of township
assistance, may purchase feed for a minimum amount of subsistence
livestock if the cost is less than the cost of food that is otherwise
necessary for the township trustee to furnish under this chapter. As added by P.L.2-1992, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.73-2005, SEC.76.
IC 12-20-16-11 Nonresidents; transportation without ascertaining legal residence
Sec. 11. (a) A township trustee may not furnish a nonresident of
a township with transportation at the cost of the township until the
township trustee, as administrator of township assistance, determines
the legal residence of the individual applying for assistance.
(b) Transportation provided to a nonresident of a township must
be in the direction of the nonresident's legal residence unless it is
shown that the individual in need has a valid claim for support or a
means of support in some other place to which the individual asks to
be sent. As added by P.L.2-1992, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.51-1996, SEC.60;
P.L.73-2005, SEC.77. IC 12-20-16-12 Funeral and burial or cremation expenses
Sec. 12. (a) This section does not apply if the county coroner
assumes jurisdiction of an unclaimed body under IC 36-2-14-16.
(b) If:
(1) an individual dies in a township without leaving:
(A) money;
(B) real or personal property;
(C) other assets that may be liquidated; or
(D) other means necessary to defray funeral expenses; and
(2) the individual is not a resident of another township in
Indiana;
the township trustee, as administrator of township assistance, shall
provide a person to superintend and authorize either the funeral and
burial or cremation of the deceased individual. If the township
trustee determines that the deceased individual is a resident of
another township in Indiana, the township trustee shall notify the
trustee of that township, who shall then provide a person to
superintend and authorize either the funeral and burial or cremation
of the deceased individual.
(c) The necessary and reasonable expenses of the funeral and
burial or cremation, including a burial plot, shall be paid in the same
manner as other claims for township assistance. A trustee shall
determine the cost for the items and services required by law for the
funeral and burial of an individual, including a burial plot, and for
the cremation of an individual, and include in the township's
township assistance standards the maximum funeral and burial or
cremation amount to be paid from township assistance funds. The
trustee may deduct from the maximum amount the following:
(1) Any monetary benefits that the deceased individual is
entitled to receive from a state or federal program.
(2) Any money that another person provides on behalf of the
deceased individual.
(d) If an individual described in subsection (b) is a resident of a
state institution at the time of the individual's death, the division that
has administrative control of the state institution shall reimburse the
township trustee for the necessary and reasonable expenses of the
funeral and burial or cremation of the deceased individual. The
township trustee shall submit to the division that has administrative
control of the state institution an itemized claim for reimbursement
of the necessary and reasonable funeral and burial or cremation
expenses incurred by the township trustee.
(e) If an individual described in subsection (b) is a resident of a
special institution governed by IC 16-33 at the time of the
individual's death, the state department of health shall reimburse the
township trustee for the necessary and reasonable expenses of the
funeral and burial or cremation of the deceased individual. The
township trustee shall submit to the state department of health an
itemized claim for reimbursement of the necessary and reasonable
funeral and burial or cremation expenses incurred by the township
trustee.
(f) A township trustee who provides funeral and burial or
cremation benefits to a deceased individual is entitled to a first
priority claim, to the extent of the cost of the funeral and burial or
cremation benefits paid by the township trustee, against any money
or other personal property held by the coroner under IC 36-2-14-11.
(g) The township trustee may not cremate a deceased individual
if:
(1) the deceased individual; or
(2) a surviving family member of the deceased individual;
has objected in writing to cremation.
(h) If a township trustee provides a funeral under this section, the
cost of the funeral may not be more than the cost of the least
expensive funeral, including any necessary merchandise and
embalming, available from the funeral director under the funeral
director's price list disclosed to the Federal Trade Commission. As added by P.L.2-1992, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.162-1995, SEC.1;
P.L.51-1996, SEC.61; P.L.73-2005, SEC.78.
IC 12-20-16-13 Processing purchased and donated materials for township
assistance; gardens
Sec. 13. (a) The township trustee, as administrator of township
assistance, may process at the expense of the township materials
provided by charitable or governmental agencies to provide any item
of township assistance if the expense of the processing is less than
the cost of the finished product.
(b) The township trustee, as administrator of township assistance,
may buy materials and supplies of any item of relief and may process
the materials for township assistance purposes.
(c) The township trustee, as administrator of township assistance,
may buy garden seeds and plant and maintain gardens for township
assistance purposes. As added by P.L.2-1992, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.73-2005, SEC.79.
IC 12-20-16-14 Insulin
Sec. 14. The township trustee is authorized to provide insulin to
individuals who are in need of insulin treatment and who are
financially unable to purchase the insulin, upon application of a
physician licensed under IC 25-22.5 or an advanced practice nurse
who is licensed under IC 25-23 and who meets the requirements of
IC 25-23-1-11 and IC 25-23-1-19.5. However, an application
submitted by a physician or an advanced practice nurse under this
section must meet the requirements of IC 16-41-19-4. As added by P.L.2-1992, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.262-2003, SEC.5.
IC 12-20-16-15 Placement of indigents in county home
Sec. 15. The township trustee may place indigent individuals in
the county home in accordance with IC 12-30-4. As added by P.L.2-1992, SEC.14.
IC 12-20-16-16
Reserved
IC 12-20-16-17
Inspection of housing units; substandard housing; shelter damage or
security deposit; eligibility for shelter assistance
Sec. 17. (a) A township trustee may employ the services of a
housing inspector to inspect all housing units, including:
(1) mobile homes;
(2) group homes;
(3) single household units;
(4) multiple household units;
(5) apartments; or
(6) any other dwelling;
inhabited by a township assistance recipient.
(b) A township trustee may contract with a local housing
authority:
(1) for housing inspection services; and
(2) to train a township housing inspector.
Costs of these contractual services shall be paid from the township
assistance fund.
(c) A township housing inspector shall use the following for
determining a housing structure's suitability for habitation:
(1) Standards recommended by the United States Department of
Housing and Urban Development as used by local housing
authorities.
(2) Local building codes and municipal ordinances.
(d) Substandard housing that does not meet minimum standards
of health, safety, and construction is not eligible for:
(1) the maximum level of shelter payments; or
(2) damage or security deposits paid from or encumbered by
township funds.
(e) If the trustee determines that a housing unit for which payment
is requested is substantially below minimum standards of health,
safety, or construction, the trustee, when necessary, shall assist the
applicant in obtaining appropriate alternate shelter.
(f) A township trustee is not required to spend township assistance
funds for a shelter damage or security deposit for an eligible
township assistance applicant or household. However, the trustee
may encumber money for a shelter damage or security deposit by
making an agreement with a property owner who furnishes shelter
for a township assistance recipient or household. The agreement
must include the following:
(1) The agreement's duration, not to exceed one hundred eighty
(180) days.
(2) A statement that the agreement may be renewed if both
parties agree.
(3) The total value of the encumbered money, not to exceed the
value of one (1) month's rental payment.
(4) A statement signed by both the trustee and the property
owner attesting to the condition of the property at the time the
agreement is made.
(5) A statement that encumbered money may be used to pay the
cost of:
(A) verified damages, normal wear excluded, caused by the
tenant township assistance recipient during the duration of
the agreement; and
(B) any unpaid rental payments for which the tenant
township assistance recipient is obligated.
(6) A statement that the total amount to be paid from the
encumbered money may not exceed one (1) month's rental
payment for the unit in question.
(g) A trustee is not required to provide shelter assistance to an
otherwise eligible individual if the:
(1) individual's most recent residence was provided by the
individual's parent, guardian, or foster parent; and
(2) individual, without just cause, leaves that residence for the
shelter for which the individual seeks assistance. As added by P.L.51-1996, SEC.62. Amended by P.L.73-2005,
SEC.80.
IC 12-20-16
Chapter 16. Provision of Various Forms of Township Assistance
IC 12-20-16-1 Assistance only upon necessity
Sec. 1. A township trustee, as administrator of township
assistance, may provide and shall extend township assistance only
when the personal effort of the township assistance applicant fails to
provide one (1) or more basic necessities. As added by P.L.2-1992, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.51-1996, SEC.53;
P.L.73-2005, SEC.69.
IC 12-20-16-2 Medical assistance; necessity
Sec. 2. (a) Except as provided in subsections (b) and (c), the
township trustee shall, in cases of necessity, do the following:
(1) Promptly provide medical assistance for poor individuals in
the township who are not provided for in public institutions.
(2) See that medicines, medical supplies, special diets, or tests
prescribed by a physician or surgeon in attendance upon poor
individuals in the township are properly furnished.
(b) A township trustee may not provide to an individual medical
assistance under the township assistance program if the individual
could qualify for medical assistance for the same service under:
(1) IC 12-16;
(2) Medicaid;
(3) other governmental medical programs; or
(4) private health insurance that would cover the individual at
the time the assistance was provided. However, if the
individual's insurance does not pay for the medical assistance
due to a policy deductible or other policy limitation, the
township trustee shall pay for medical assistance that the trustee
would provide if the individual did not have insurance.
However, a township trustee may provide interim medical services
during the period that the individual has an application pending for
medical assistance under Medicaid (IC 12-15) or another
governmental medical program if the individual is reasonably
complying with all requirements of the application process.
(c) The township trustee shall pay only for the following medical
services for the poor of the township:
(1) Prescription drugs, not to exceed a thirty (30) day supply at
a time, as prescribed by an attending practitioner (as defined in
IC 16-42-19-5) other than a veterinarian. However, if the
prescription drugs are available only in a container that contains
more than a thirty (30) day supply, the township trustee may
pay for the available size.
(2) Office calls to a physician licensed under IC 25-22.5 or
another medical provider.
(3) Dental care needed to relieve pain or infection or to repair
cavities.
(4) Repair or replacement of dentures.
(5) Emergency room treatment that is of an emergency nature.
(6) Preoperation testing prescribed by an attending physician
licensed under IC 25-22.5.
(7) Over-the-counter drugs prescribed by a practitioner (as
defined in IC 16-42-19-5) other than a veterinarian.
(8) X-rays and laboratory testing as prescribed by an attending
physician licensed under IC 25-22.5.
(9) Visits to a medical specialist when referred by an attending
physician licensed under IC 25-22.5.
(10) Physical therapy prescribed by an attending physician
licensed under IC 25-22.5.
(11) Eyeglasses.
(12) Repair or replacement of a prosthesis not provided for by
other tax supported state or federal programs.
(13) Insulin and items needed to administer the biological, not
to exceed a thirty (30) day supply at a time, in accordance with
section 14 of this chapter. However, if the biologicals are
available only in a container that contains more than a thirty
(30) day supply, the township trustee may pay for the available
size.
(d) The township trustee may establish a list of approved medical
providers to provide medical services to the poor of the township.
Any medical provider who:
(1) can provide the particular medical services within the scope
of the provider's license issued under IC 25; and
(2) is willing to provide the medical services for the charges
established by the township trustee;
is entitled to be included on the list.
(e) Unless prohibited by federal law, a township trustee who:
(1) provides to an individual medical assistance that is eligible
for payment under any medical program described in subsection
(b) for which payments are administered by an agency of the
state during the pendency of the individual's successful
application for the program; and
(2) submits a timely and proper claim to the agency;
is eligible for reimbursement by the agency to the same extent as any
medical provider.
(f) If a township trustee provides medical assistance for medical
services provided to an individual who is subsequently determined
to be eligible for Medicaid:
(1) the township trustee shall notify the medical provider that
provided the medical services of the individual's eligibility; and
(2) not later than thirty (30) days after the medical provider
receives the notice under subdivision (1), the medical provider
shall file a claim for reimbursement with the office.
(g) A medical provider that is reimbursed under subsection (f)
shall, not later than thirty (30) days after receiving the
reimbursement, pay to the township trustee the lesser of:
(1) the amount of medical assistance received from the trustee
to an individual; or
(2) the amount reimbursed by Medicaid to the medical provider. As added by P.L.2-1992, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.51-1996, SEC.54;
P.L.262-2003, SEC.4; P.L.73-2005, SEC.70.
IC 12-20-16-3 Utility services payment; necessity; eligibility
Sec. 3. (a) The township trustee may, in cases of necessity,
authorize the payment from township assistance money for essential
utility services, including the following:
(1) Water services.
(2) Gas services.
(3) Electric services.
(4) Fuel oil services for fuel oil used for heating or cooking.
(5) Coal, wood, or liquid propane used for heating or cooking.
(b) The township trustee may authorize the payment of delinquent
bills for the services listed in subsection (a)(1) through (a)(5) when
necessary to prevent the termination of the services or to restore
terminated service if the delinquency has lasted not longer than
twenty-four (24) months. The township trustee has no obligation to
pay a delinquent bill for the services or materials listed in subsection
(a)(1) through (a)(5) if the delinquency has lasted longer than
twenty-four (24) months.
(c) The township trustee is not required to pay for any utility
service:
(1) that is not properly charged to:
(A) an adult member of a household;
(B) an emancipated minor who is head of the household; or
(C) a landlord or former member of the household if the
applicant proves that the applicant:
(i) received the services as a tenant residing at the service
address at the time the cost was incurred; and
(ii) is responsible for payment of the bill;
(2) received as a result of a fraudulent act by any adult member
of a household requesting township assistance; or
(3) that includes the use of township assistance funds for the
payment of:
(A) a security deposit; or
(B) damages caused by a township assistance applicant to
utility company property.
(d) The amount paid by the township trustee, as administrator of
township assistance, and the amount charged for water services may
not exceed the minimum rate charged for the service as fixed by the
Indiana utility regulatory commission.
(e) This subsection applies only during the part of each year when
applications for heating assistance are accepted by the lieutenant
governor under IC 4-4-33. A township trustee may not provide
assistance to make any part of a payment for heating fuel or electric
services for more than thirty (30) days unless the individual files an
application with the township trustee that includes the following:
(1) Evidence of application for assistance for heating fuel or
electric services from the lieutenant governor.
(2) The amount of assistance received or the reason for denial
of assistance.
The township trustee shall inform an applicant for assistance for
heating fuel or electric services that assistance for heating fuel and
electric services may be available from the lieutenant governor under
IC 4-4-33 and that the township trustee may not provide assistance
to make any part of a payment for those services for more than thirty
(30) days unless the individual files an application for assistance for
heating fuel or electric services under IC 4-4-33. However, if the
applicant household is eligible under criteria established by the
lieutenant governor for energy assistance under IC 4-4-33, the trustee
may certify the applicant as eligible for that assistance by completing
an application form prescribed by the state board of accounts and
forwarding the eligibility certificate to the lieutenant governor within
the period established for the acceptance of applications. If the
trustee follows this certification procedure, no other application is
required for assistance under IC 4-4-33.
(f) If an individual or a member of an individual's household has
received assistance under subsection (b), the individual must, before
the individual or the member of the individual's household may
receive further assistance under subsection (b), certify whether the
individual's or household's income, resources, or household size has
changed since the individual filed the most recent application for
township assistance. If the individual or a member of the individual's
household certifies that the income, resources, or household size has
changed, the township trustee shall review the individual's or
household's eligibility and may make any necessary adjustments in
the level of assistance provided to the individual or to a member of
the individual's household. As added by P.L.2-1992, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.51-1996, SEC.55;
P.L.259-2001, SEC.7; P.L.73-2005, SEC.71; P.L.141-2006, SEC.60;
P.L.181-2006, SEC.55; P.L.1-2007, SEC.125.
IC 12-20-16-4
Repealed
(Repealed by P.L.51-1996, SEC.77.)
IC 12-20-16-5 Food relief
Sec. 5. (a) An applicant or a household that receives food relief in
any township having a population of more than ten thousand
(10,000) may request the township trustee, as administrator of
township assistance, to issue a food order upon any eligible market,
and the township trustee, as administrator of township assistance,
shall abide by that request.
(b) The amount of a food order for various sized households that
are determined by the trustee to be eligible for township assistance
shall be based upon uniform monthly amounts specified in the
township's township assistance standards. However, an additional
amount of food may be ordered for special health reasons as
prescribed by a physician. A supplemental food order may be issued
because of the loss of the recipient's food by:
(1) fire, flood, or other natural disaster;
(2) burglary or other criminal act; or
(3) the unpreventable spoilage of food.
(c) The trustee may issue a food order to an eligible applicant on
either a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. As added by P.L.2-1992, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.51-1996, SEC.56;
P.L.73-2005, SEC.72.
IC 12-20-16-6 Federal food stamp program eligibility
Sec. 6. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), a township
trustee, as administrator of township assistance, may not purchase
food out of the township assistance fund for an applicant or a
household that is eligible to participate in the federal food stamp
program.
(b) A township trustee, as administrator of township assistance,
may purchase food for an eligible food stamp applicant or household
only under any of the following conditions:
(1) During the interim period beginning when an applicant or a
household is awaiting a determination of eligibility from the
food stamp office and ending not more than five (5) days after
the day the applicant or household becomes eligible to
participate in the federal food stamp program.
(2) Upon the verified loss of the household's food stamps or
food supply by:
(A) fire or other natural disaster; or
(B) burglary or other criminal act, if the requesting applicant
or household files a report with the appropriate law
enforcement agency.
(3) Upon the loss of the applicant's or household's food supply
through spoilage.
(4) Upon a written statement from a physician indicating that at
least one (1) member of the household needs a special diet, the
cost of which is greater than can be purchased with the
household's allotment of food stamps.
(5) If the township trustee, as administrator of township
assistance, determines that an applicant or a household:
(A) is in need of supplementary food assistance; and
(B) has participated in the federal food stamp program to the
fullest extent allowable under federal and state law;
and supplementary food assistance is required by the
circumstances of the particular case. As added by P.L.2-1992, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.51-1996, SEC.57;
P.L.73-2005, SEC.73.
IC 12-20-16-7 Eligible markets; continuing eligibility; purchase order itemization
Sec. 7. (a) A combined grocery (marketing fresh vegetables, fresh
eggs, and dairy products) and meat market (marketing fresh meat) in
a township having a population of more than ten thousand (10,000)
is eligible to accept food purchase orders from the township trustee,
as administrator of township assistance, in the township in which the
market is located if the owner of the market has applied to the
township trustee using a form prescribed by the state board of
accounts.
(b) A market described in subsection (a) remains eligible to accept
township food purchase orders unless any of the following
conditions exist:
(1) The owner notifies the township trustee, as administrator of
township assistance, to remove the owner's market from the
eligible list.
(2) An appropriate health or other governmental agency closes
the market.
(3) The township trustee, as administrator of township
assistance, removes the market from the eligible list for a period
not to exceed six (6) months because the management of the
market, in filling a township food or household supply order:
(A) includes in the order tobacco products, alcoholic
beverages, or other nonqualifying items; or
(B) fails to routinely request identification from an
individual who redeems a township purchase order.
(4) A person who owns or is employed by the market has been
convicted of township assistance fraud under IC 12-20-1-4(c).
(c) A combined grocery and meat market shall, in filling a
township purchase order for food and household supplies, attach to
the purchase order form either a cash register tape or a written or
typed itemization of the cost of the food and household supplies
purchased. Household supplies, including first aid and medical
supplies, are not considered food.
(d) The cash register tape or itemization required by subsection
(c) is the full and complete record of purchase for all purposes. More
complete records or itemization may not be required by any
individual, government official, or entity. As added by P.L.2-1992, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.51-1996, SEC.58;
P.L.73-2005, SEC.74.
IC 12-20-16-8 Incompetent head of family; alternate food purchase order
issuance
Sec. 8. (a) If an applicant or a household is considered by the
township trustee, as administrator of township assistance, to be
incompetent or irresponsible to select food from a combined grocery
and meat market or to make proper use of food stamps, the township
trustee, as administrator of township assistance, shall issue the food
purchase order in the name of one (1) of the following:
(1) Another adult member of the household.
(2) Another relative living in another household.
(3) Any other individual considered competent by the township
trustee, as administrator of township assistance.
(b) For the purpose of selecting the combined grocery and meat
market in a township having a population of more than ten thousand
(10,000) from which food for the household is to be obtained, the
competent individual referred to in subsection (a) shall be considered
the individual responsible. As added by P.L.2-1992, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.51-1996, SEC.59;
P.L.73-2005, SEC.75.
IC 12-20-16-9 Limitation on food assistance; food stamp application
Sec. 9. (a) A township trustee may not provide food assistance for
more than thirty (30) days unless an individual files an application
with the township trustee that includes the following:
(1) Evidence of application for food stamps from the division
of family resources.
(2) The amount of assistance received or the reason for denial
of assistance.
(b) The township trustee shall inform an applicant for food
assistance that food stamps may be available from the division of
family resources and that the township trustee may not provide food
assistance for more than thirty (30) days unless the individual files
an application for food stamps with the division of family resources. As added by P.L.2-1992, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.145-2006,
SEC.119.
IC 12-20-16-10 Livestock; feed instead of cost of food
Sec. 10. The township trustee, as administrator of township
assistance, may purchase feed for a minimum amount of subsistence
livestock if the cost is less than the cost of food that is otherwise
necessary for the township trustee to furnish under this chapter. As added by P.L.2-1992, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.73-2005, SEC.76.
IC 12-20-16-11 Nonresidents; transportation without ascertaining legal residence
Sec. 11. (a) A township trustee may not furnish a nonresident of
a township with transportation at the cost of the township until the
township trustee, as administrator of township assistance, determines
the legal residence of the individual applying for assistance.
(b) Transportation provided to a nonresident of a township must
be in the direction of the nonresident's legal residence unless it is
shown that the individual in need has a valid claim for support or a
means of support in some other place to which the individual asks to
be sent. As added by P.L.2-1992, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.51-1996, SEC.60;
P.L.73-2005, SEC.77. IC 12-20-16-12 Funeral and burial or cremation expenses
Sec. 12. (a) This section does not apply if the county coroner
assumes jurisdiction of an unclaimed body under IC 36-2-14-16.
(b) If:
(1) an individual dies in a township without leaving:
(A) money;
(B) real or personal property;
(C) other assets that may be liquidated; or
(D) other means necessary to defray funeral expenses; and
(2) the individual is not a resident of another township in
Indiana;
the township trustee, as administrator of township assistance, shall
provide a person to superintend and authorize either the funeral and
burial or cremation of the deceased individual. If the township
trustee determines that the deceased individual is a resident of
another township in Indiana, the township trustee shall notify the
trustee of that township, who shall then provide a person to
superintend and authorize either the funeral and burial or cremation
of the deceased individual.
(c) The necessary and reasonable expenses of the funeral and
burial or cremation, including a burial plot, shall be paid in the same
manner as other claims for township assistance. A trustee shall
determine the cost for the items and services required by law for the
funeral and burial of an individual, including a burial plot, and for
the cremation of an individual, and include in the township's
township assistance standards the maximum funeral and burial or
cremation amount to be paid from township assistance funds. The
trustee may deduct from the maximum amount the following:
(1) Any monetary benefits that the deceased individual is
entitled to receive from a state or federal program.
(2) Any money that another person provides on behalf of the
deceased individual.
(d) If an individual described in subsection (b) is a resident of a
state institution at the time of the individual's death, the division that
has administrative control of the state institution shall reimburse the
township trustee for the necessary and reasonable expenses of the
funeral and burial or cremation of the deceased individual. The
township trustee shall submit to the division that has administrative
control of the state institution an itemized claim for reimbursement
of the necessary and reasonable funeral and burial or cremation
expenses incurred by the township trustee.
(e) If an individual described in subsection (b) is a resident of a
special institution governed by IC 16-33 at the time of the
individual's death, the state department of health shall reimburse the
township trustee for the necessary and reasonable expenses of the
funeral and burial or cremation of the deceased individual. The
township trustee shall submit to the state department of health an
itemized claim for reimbursement of the necessary and reasonable
funeral and burial or cremation expenses incurred by the township
trustee.
(f) A township trustee who provides funeral and burial or
cremation benefits to a deceased individual is entitled to a first
priority claim, to the extent of the cost of the funeral and burial or
cremation benefits paid by the township trustee, against any money
or other personal property held by the coroner under IC 36-2-14-11.
(g) The township trustee may not cremate a deceased individual
if:
(1) the deceased individual; or
(2) a surviving family member of the deceased individual;
has objected in writing to cremation.
(h) If a township trustee provides a funeral under this section, the
cost of the funeral may not be more than the cost of the least
expensive funeral, including any necessary merchandise and
embalming, available from the funeral director under the funeral
director's price list disclosed to the Federal Trade Commission. As added by P.L.2-1992, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.162-1995, SEC.1;
P.L.51-1996, SEC.61; P.L.73-2005, SEC.78.
IC 12-20-16-13 Processing purchased and donated materials for township
assistance; gardens
Sec. 13. (a) The township trustee, as administrator of township
assistance, may process at the expense of the township materials
provided by charitable or governmental agencies to provide any item
of township assistance if the expense of the processing is less than
the cost of the finished product.
(b) The township trustee, as administrator of township assistance,
may buy materials and supplies of any item of relief and may process
the materials for township assistance purposes.
(c) The township trustee, as administrator of township assistance,
may buy garden seeds and plant and maintain gardens for township
assistance purposes. As added by P.L.2-1992, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.73-2005, SEC.79.
IC 12-20-16-14 Insulin
Sec. 14. The township trustee is authorized to provide insulin to
individuals who are in need of insulin treatment and who are
financially unable to purchase the insulin, upon application of a
physician licensed under IC 25-22.5 or an advanced practice nurse
who is licensed under IC 25-23 and who meets the requirements of
IC 25-23-1-11 and IC 25-23-1-19.5. However, an application
submitted by a physician or an advanced practice nurse under this
section must meet the requirements of IC 16-41-19-4. As added by P.L.2-1992, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.262-2003, SEC.5.
IC 12-20-16-15 Placement of indigents in county home
Sec. 15. The township trustee may place indigent individuals in
the county home in accordance with IC 12-30-4. As added by P.L.2-1992, SEC.14.
IC 12-20-16-16
Reserved
IC 12-20-16-17
Inspection of housing units; substandard housing; shelter damage or
security deposit; eligibility for shelter assistance
Sec. 17. (a) A township trustee may employ the services of a
housing inspector to inspect all housing units, including:
(1) mobile homes;
(2) group homes;
(3) single household units;
(4) multiple household units;
(5) apartments; or
(6) any other dwelling;
inhabited by a township assistance recipient.
(b) A township trustee may contract with a local housing
authority:
(1) for housing inspection services; and
(2) to train a township housing inspector.
Costs of these contractual services shall be paid from the township
assistance fund.
(c) A township housing inspector shall use the following for
determining a housing structure's suitability for habitation:
(1) Standards recommended by the United States Department of
Housing and Urban Development as used by local housing
authorities.
(2) Local building codes and municipal ordinances.
(d) Substandard housing that does not meet minimum standards
of health, safety, and construction is not eligible for:
(1) the maximum level of shelter payments; or
(2) damage or security deposits paid from or encumbered by
township funds.
(e) If the trustee determines that a housing unit for which payment
is requested is substantially below minimum standards of health,
safety, or construction, the trustee, when necessary, shall assist the
applicant in obtaining appropriate alternate shelter.
(f) A township trustee is not required to spend township assistance
funds for a shelter damage or security deposit for an eligible
township assistance applicant or household. However, the trustee
may encumber money for a shelter damage or security deposit by
making an agreement with a property owner who furnishes shelter
for a township assistance recipient or household. The agreement
must include the following:
(1) The agreement's duration, not to exceed one hundred eighty
(180) days.
(2) A statement that the agreement may be renewed if both
parties agree.
(3) The total value of the encumbered money, not to exceed the
value of one (1) month's rental payment.
(4) A statement signed by both the trustee and the property
owner attesting to the condition of the property at the time the
agreement is made.
(5) A statement that encumbered money may be used to pay the
cost of:
(A) verified damages, normal wear excluded, caused by the
tenant township assistance recipient during the duration of
the agreement; and
(B) any unpaid rental payments for which the tenant
township assistance recipient is obligated.
(6) A statement that the total amount to be paid from the
encumbered money may not exceed one (1) month's rental
payment for the unit in question.
(g) A trustee is not required to provide shelter assistance to an
otherwise eligible individual if the:
(1) individual's most recent residence was provided by the
individual's parent, guardian, or foster parent; and
(2) individual, without just cause, leaves that residence for the
shelter for which the individual seeks assistance. As added by P.L.51-1996, SEC.62. Amended by P.L.73-2005,
SEC.80.
IC 12-20-16
Chapter 16. Provision of Various Forms of Township Assistance
IC 12-20-16-1 Assistance only upon necessity
Sec. 1. A township trustee, as administrator of township
assistance, may provide and shall extend township assistance only
when the personal effort of the township assistance applicant fails to
provide one (1) or more basic necessities. As added by P.L.2-1992, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.51-1996, SEC.53;
P.L.73-2005, SEC.69.
IC 12-20-16-2 Medical assistance; necessity
Sec. 2. (a) Except as provided in subsections (b) and (c), the
township trustee shall, in cases of necessity, do the following:
(1) Promptly provide medical assistance for poor individuals in
the township who are not provided for in public institutions.
(2) See that medicines, medical supplies, special diets, or tests
prescribed by a physician or surgeon in attendance upon poor
individuals in the township are properly furnished.
(b) A township trustee may not provide to an individual medical
assistance under the township assistance program if the individual
could qualify for medical assistance for the same service under:
(1) IC 12-16;
(2) Medicaid;
(3) other governmental medical programs; or
(4) private health insurance that would cover the individual at
the time the assistance was provided. However, if the
individual's insurance does not pay for the medical assistance
due to a policy deductible or other policy limitation, the
township trustee shall pay for medical assistance that the trustee
would provide if the individual did not have insurance.
However, a township trustee may provide interim medical services
during the period that the individual has an application pending for
medical assistance under Medicaid (IC 12-15) or another
governmental medical program if the individual is reasonably
complying with all requirements of the application process.
(c) The township trustee shall pay only for the following medical
services for the poor of the township:
(1) Prescription drugs, not to exceed a thirty (30) day supply at
a time, as prescribed by an attending practitioner (as defined in
IC 16-42-19-5) other than a veterinarian. However, if the
prescription drugs are available only in a container that contains
more than a thirty (30) day supply, the township trustee may
pay for the available size.
(2) Office calls to a physician licensed under IC 25-22.5 or
another medical provider.
(3) Dental care needed to relieve pain or infection or to repair
cavities.
(4) Repair or replacement of dentures.
(5) Emergency room treatment that is of an emergency nature.
(6) Preoperation testing prescribed by an attending physician
licensed under IC 25-22.5.
(7) Over-the-counter drugs prescribed by a practitioner (as
defined in IC 16-42-19-5) other than a veterinarian.
(8) X-rays and laboratory testing as prescribed by an attending
physician licensed under IC 25-22.5.
(9) Visits to a medical specialist when referred by an attending
physician licensed under IC 25-22.5.
(10) Physical therapy prescribed by an attending physician
licensed under IC 25-22.5.
(11) Eyeglasses.
(12) Repair or replacement of a prosthesis not provided for by
other tax supported state or federal programs.
(13) Insulin and items needed to administer the biological, not
to exceed a thirty (30) day supply at a time, in accordance with
section 14 of this chapter. However, if the biologicals are
available only in a container that contains more than a thirty
(30) day supply, the township trustee may pay for the available
size.
(d) The township trustee may establish a list of approved medical
providers to provide medical services to the poor of the township.
Any medical provider who:
(1) can provide the particular medical services within the scope
of the provider's license issued under IC 25; and
(2) is willing to provide the medical services for the charges
established by the township trustee;
is entitled to be included on the list.
(e) Unless prohibited by federal law, a township trustee who:
(1) provides to an individual medical assistance that is eligible
for payment under any medical program described in subsection
(b) for which payments are administered by an agency of the
state during the pendency of the individual's successful
application for the program; and
(2) submits a timely and proper claim to the agency;
is eligible for reimbursement by the agency to the same extent as any
medical provider.
(f) If a township trustee provides medical assistance for medical
services provided to an individual who is subsequently determined
to be eligible for Medicaid:
(1) the township trustee shall notify the medical provider that
provided the medical services of the individual's eligibility; and
(2) not later than thirty (30) days after the medical provider
receives the notice under subdivision (1), the medical provider
shall file a claim for reimbursement with the office.
(g) A medical provider that is reimbursed under subsection (f)
shall, not later than thirty (30) days after receiving the
reimbursement, pay to the township trustee the lesser of:
(1) the amount of medical assistance received from the trustee
to an individual; or
(2) the amount reimbursed by Medicaid to the medical provider. As added by P.L.2-1992, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.51-1996, SEC.54;
P.L.262-2003, SEC.4; P.L.73-2005, SEC.70.
IC 12-20-16-3 Utility services payment; necessity; eligibility
Sec. 3. (a) The township trustee may, in cases of necessity,
authorize the payment from township assistance money for essential
utility services, including the following:
(1) Water services.
(2) Gas services.
(3) Electric services.
(4) Fuel oil services for fuel oil used for heating or cooking.
(5) Coal, wood, or liquid propane used for heating or cooking.
(b) The township trustee may authorize the payment of delinquent
bills for the services listed in subsection (a)(1) through (a)(5) when
necessary to prevent the termination of the services or to restore
terminated service if the delinquency has lasted not longer than
twenty-four (24) months. The township trustee has no obligation to
pay a delinquent bill for the services or materials listed in subsection
(a)(1) through (a)(5) if the delinquency has lasted longer than
twenty-four (24) months.
(c) The township trustee is not required to pay for any utility
service:
(1) that is not properly charged to:
(A) an adult member of a household;
(B) an emancipated minor who is head of the household; or
(C) a landlord or former member of the household if the
applicant proves that the applicant:
(i) received the services as a tenant residing at the service
address at the time the cost was incurred; and
(ii) is responsible for payment of the bill;
(2) received as a result of a fraudulent act by any adult member
of a household requesting township assistance; or
(3) that includes the use of township assistance funds for the
payment of:
(A) a security deposit; or
(B) damages caused by a township assistance applicant to
utility company property.
(d) The amount paid by the township trustee, as administrator of
township assistance, and the amount charged for water services may
not exceed the minimum rate charged for the service as fixed by the
Indiana utility regulatory commission.
(e) This subsection applies only during the part of each year when
applications for heating assistance are accepted by the lieutenant
governor under IC 4-4-33. A township trustee may not provide
assistance to make any part of a payment for heating fuel or electric
services for more than thirty (30) days unless the individual files an
application with the township trustee that includes the following:
(1) Evidence of application for assistance for heating fuel or
electric services from the lieutenant governor.
(2) The amount of assistance received or the reason for denial
of assistance.
The township trustee shall inform an applicant for assistance for
heating fuel or electric services that assistance for heating fuel and
electric services may be available from the lieutenant governor under
IC 4-4-33 and that the township trustee may not provide assistance
to make any part of a payment for those services for more than thirty
(30) days unless the individual files an application for assistance for
heating fuel or electric services under IC 4-4-33. However, if the
applicant household is eligible under criteria established by the
lieutenant governor for energy assistance under IC 4-4-33, the trustee
may certify the applicant as eligible for that assistance by completing
an application form prescribed by the state board of accounts and
forwarding the eligibility certificate to the lieutenant governor within
the period established for the acceptance of applications. If the
trustee follows this certification procedure, no other application is
required for assistance under IC 4-4-33.
(f) If an individual or a member of an individual's household has
received assistance under subsection (b), the individual must, before
the individual or the member of the individual's household may
receive further assistance under subsection (b), certify whether the
individual's or household's income, resources, or household size has
changed since the individual filed the most recent application for
township assistance. If the individual or a member of the individual's
household certifies that the income, resources, or household size has
changed, the township trustee shall review the individual's or
household's eligibility and may make any necessary adjustments in
the level of assistance provided to the individual or to a member of
the individual's household. As added by P.L.2-1992, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.51-1996, SEC.55;
P.L.259-2001, SEC.7; P.L.73-2005, SEC.71; P.L.141-2006, SEC.60;
P.L.181-2006, SEC.55; P.L.1-2007, SEC.125.
IC 12-20-16-4
Repealed
(Repealed by P.L.51-1996, SEC.77.)
IC 12-20-16-5 Food relief
Sec. 5. (a) An applicant or a household that receives food relief in
any township having a population of more than ten thousand
(10,000) may request the township trustee, as administrator of
township assistance, to issue a food order upon any eligible market,
and the township trustee, as administrator of township assistance,
shall abide by that request.
(b) The amount of a food order for various sized households that
are determined by the trustee to be eligible for township assistance
shall be based upon uniform monthly amounts specified in the
township's township assistance standards. However, an additional
amount of food may be ordered for special health reasons as
prescribed by a physician. A supplemental food order may be issued
because of the loss of the recipient's food by:
(1) fire, flood, or other natural disaster;
(2) burglary or other criminal act; or
(3) the unpreventable spoilage of food.
(c) The trustee may issue a food order to an eligible applicant on
either a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. As added by P.L.2-1992, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.51-1996, SEC.56;
P.L.73-2005, SEC.72.
IC 12-20-16-6 Federal food stamp program eligibility
Sec. 6. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), a township
trustee, as administrator of township assistance, may not purchase
food out of the township assistance fund for an applicant or a
household that is eligible to participate in the federal food stamp
program.
(b) A township trustee, as administrator of township assistance,
may purchase food for an eligible food stamp applicant or household
only under any of the following conditions:
(1) During the interim period beginning when an applicant or a
household is awaiting a determination of eligibility from the
food stamp office and ending not more than five (5) days after
the day the applicant or household becomes eligible to
participate in the federal food stamp program.
(2) Upon the verified loss of the household's food stamps or
food supply by:
(A) fire or other natural disaster; or
(B) burglary or other criminal act, if the requesting applicant
or household files a report with the appropriate law
enforcement agency.
(3) Upon the loss of the applicant's or household's food supply
through spoilage.
(4) Upon a written statement from a physician indicating that at
least one (1) member of the household needs a special diet, the
cost of which is greater than can be purchased with the
household's allotment of food stamps.
(5) If the township trustee, as administrator of township
assistance, determines that an applicant or a household:
(A) is in need of supplementary food assistance; and
(B) has participated in the federal food stamp program to the
fullest extent allowable under federal and state law;
and supplementary food assistance is required by the
circumstances of the particular case. As added by P.L.2-1992, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.51-1996, SEC.57;
P.L.73-2005, SEC.73.
IC 12-20-16-7 Eligible markets; continuing eligibility; purchase order itemization
Sec. 7. (a) A combined grocery (marketing fresh vegetables, fresh
eggs, and dairy products) and meat market (marketing fresh meat) in
a township having a population of more than ten thousand (10,000)
is eligible to accept food purchase orders from the township trustee,
as administrator of township assistance, in the township in which the
market is located if the owner of the market has applied to the
township trustee using a form prescribed by the state board of
accounts.
(b) A market described in subsection (a) remains eligible to accept
township food purchase orders unless any of the following
conditions exist:
(1) The owner notifies the township trustee, as administrator of
township assistance, to remove the owner's market from the
eligible list.
(2) An appropriate health or other governmental agency closes
the market.
(3) The township trustee, as administrator of township
assistance, removes the market from the eligible list for a period
not to exceed six (6) months because the management of the
market, in filling a township food or household supply order:
(A) includes in the order tobacco products, alcoholic
beverages, or other nonqualifying items; or
(B) fails to routinely request identification from an
individual who redeems a township purchase order.
(4) A person who owns or is employed by the market has been
convicted of township assistance fraud under IC 12-20-1-4(c).
(c) A combined grocery and meat market shall, in filling a
township purchase order for food and household supplies, attach to
the purchase order form either a cash register tape or a written or
typed itemization of the cost of the food and household supplies
purchased. Household supplies, including first aid and medical
supplies, are not considered food.
(d) The cash register tape or itemization required by subsection
(c) is the full and complete record of purchase for all purposes. More
complete records or itemization may not be required by any
individual, government official, or entity. As added by P.L.2-1992, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.51-1996, SEC.58;
P.L.73-2005, SEC.74.
IC 12-20-16-8 Incompetent head of family; alternate food purchase order
issuance
Sec. 8. (a) If an applicant or a household is considered by the
township trustee, as administrator of township assistance, to be
incompetent or irresponsible to select food from a combined grocery
and meat market or to make proper use of food stamps, the township
trustee, as administrator of township assistance, shall issue the food
purchase order in the name of one (1) of the following:
(1) Another adult member of the household.
(2) Another relative living in another household.
(3) Any other individual considered competent by the township
trustee, as administrator of township assistance.
(b) For the purpose of selecting the combined grocery and meat
market in a township having a population of more than ten thousand
(10,000) from which food for the household is to be obtained, the
competent individual referred to in subsection (a) shall be considered
the individual responsible. As added by P.L.2-1992, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.51-1996, SEC.59;
P.L.73-2005, SEC.75.
IC 12-20-16-9 Limitation on food assistance; food stamp application
Sec. 9. (a) A township trustee may not provide food assistance for
more than thirty (30) days unless an individual files an application
with the township trustee that includes the following:
(1) Evidence of application for food stamps from the division
of family resources.
(2) The amount of assistance received or the reason for denial
of assistance.
(b) The township trustee shall inform an applicant for food
assistance that food stamps may be available from the division of
family resources and that the township trustee may not provide food
assistance for more than thirty (30) days unless the individual files
an application for food stamps with the division of family resources. As added by P.L.2-1992, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.145-2006,
SEC.119.
IC 12-20-16-10 Livestock; feed instead of cost of food
Sec. 10. The township trustee, as administrator of township
assistance, may purchase feed for a minimum amount of subsistence
livestock if the cost is less than the cost of food that is otherwise
necessary for the township trustee to furnish under this chapter. As added by P.L.2-1992, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.73-2005, SEC.76.
IC 12-20-16-11 Nonresidents; transportation without ascertaining legal residence
Sec. 11. (a) A township trustee may not furnish a nonresident of
a township with transportation at the cost of the township until the
township trustee, as administrator of township assistance, determines
the legal residence of the individual applying for assistance.
(b) Transportation provided to a nonresident of a township must
be in the direction of the nonresident's legal residence unless it is
shown that the individual in need has a valid claim for support or a
means of support in some other place to which the individual asks to
be sent. As added by P.L.2-1992, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.51-1996, SEC.60;
P.L.73-2005, SEC.77. IC 12-20-16-12 Funeral and burial or cremation expenses
Sec. 12. (a) This section does not apply if the county coroner
assumes jurisdiction of an unclaimed body under IC 36-2-14-16.
(b) If:
(1) an individual dies in a township without leaving:
(A) money;
(B) real or personal property;
(C) other assets that may be liquidated; or
(D) other means necessary to defray funeral expenses; and
(2) the individual is not a resident of another township in
Indiana;
the township trustee, as administrator of township assistance, shall
provide a person to superintend and authorize either the funeral and
burial or cremation of the deceased individual. If the township
trustee determines that the deceased individual is a resident of
another township in Indiana, the township trustee shall notify the
trustee of that township, who shall then provide a person to
superintend and authorize either the funeral and burial or cremation
of the deceased individual.
(c) The necessary and reasonable expenses of the funeral and
burial or cremation, including a burial plot, shall be paid in the same
manner as other claims for township assistance. A trustee shall
determine the cost for the items and services required by law for the
funeral and burial of an individual, including a burial plot, and for
the cremation of an individual, and include in the township's
township assistance standards the maximum funeral and burial or
cremation amount to be paid from township assistance funds. The
trustee may deduct from the maximum amount the following:
(1) Any monetary benefits that the deceased individual is
entitled to receive from a state or federal program.
(2) Any money that another person provides on behalf of the
deceased individual.
(d) If an individual described in subsection (b) is a resident of a
state institution at the time of the individual's death, the division that
has administrative control of the state institution shall reimburse the
township trustee for the necessary and reasonable expenses of the
funeral and burial or cremation of the deceased individual. The
township trustee shall submit to the division that has administrative
control of the state institution an itemized claim for reimbursement
of the necessary and reasonable funeral and burial or cremation
expenses incurred by the township trustee.
(e) If an individual described in subsection (b) is a resident of a
special institution governed by IC 16-33 at the time of the
individual's death, the state department of health shall reimburse the
township trustee for the necessary and reasonable expenses of the
funeral and burial or cremation of the deceased individual. The
township trustee shall submit to the state department of health an
itemized claim for reimbursement of the necessary and reasonable
funeral and burial or cremation expenses incurred by the township
trustee.
(f) A township trustee who provides funeral and burial or
cremation benefits to a deceased individual is entitled to a first
priority claim, to the extent of the cost of the funeral and burial or
cremation benefits paid by the township trustee, against any money
or other personal property held by the coroner under IC 36-2-14-11.
(g) The township trustee may not cremate a deceased individual
if:
(1) the deceased individual; or
(2) a surviving family member of the deceased individual;
has objected in writing to cremation.
(h) If a township trustee provides a funeral under this section, the
cost of the funeral may not be more than the cost of the least
expensive funeral, including any necessary merchandise and
embalming, available from the funeral director under the funeral
director's price list disclosed to the Federal Trade Commission. As added by P.L.2-1992, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.162-1995, SEC.1;
P.L.51-1996, SEC.61; P.L.73-2005, SEC.78.
IC 12-20-16-13 Processing purchased and donated materials for township
assistance; gardens
Sec. 13. (a) The township trustee, as administrator of township
assistance, may process at the expense of the township materials
provided by charitable or governmental agencies to provide any item
of township assistance if the expense of the processing is less than
the cost of the finished product.
(b) The township trustee, as administrator of township assistance,
may buy materials and supplies of any item of relief and may process
the materials for township assistance purposes.
(c) The township trustee, as administrator of township assistance,
may buy garden seeds and plant and maintain gardens for township
assistance purposes. As added by P.L.2-1992, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.73-2005, SEC.79.
IC 12-20-16-14 Insulin
Sec. 14. The township trustee is authorized to provide insulin to
individuals who are in need of insulin treatment and who are
financially unable to purchase the insulin, upon application of a
physician licensed under IC 25-22.5 or an advanced practice nurse
who is licensed under IC 25-23 and who meets the requirements of
IC 25-23-1-11 and IC 25-23-1-19.5. However, an application
submitted by a physician or an advanced practice nurse under this
section must meet the requirements of IC 16-41-19-4. As added by P.L.2-1992, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.262-2003, SEC.5.
IC 12-20-16-15 Placement of indigents in county home
Sec. 15. The township trustee may place indigent individuals in
the county home in accordance with IC 12-30-4. As added by P.L.2-1992, SEC.14.
IC 12-20-16-16
Reserved
IC 12-20-16-17
Inspection of housing units; substandard housing; shelter damage or
security deposit; eligibility for shelter assistance
Sec. 17. (a) A township trustee may employ the services of a
housing inspector to inspect all housing units, including:
(1) mobile homes;
(2) group homes;
(3) single household units;
(4) multiple household units;
(5) apartments; or
(6) any other dwelling;
inhabited by a township assistance recipient.
(b) A township trustee may contract with a local housing
authority:
(1) for housing inspection services; and
(2) to train a township housing inspector.
Costs of these contractual services shall be paid from the township
assistance fund.
(c) A township housing inspector shall use the following for
determining a housing structure's suitability for habitation:
(1) Standards recommended by the United States Department of
Housing and Urban Development as used by local housing
authorities.
(2) Local building codes and municipal ordinances.
(d) Substandard housing that does not meet minimum standards
of health, safety, and construction is not eligible for:
(1) the maximum level of shelter payments; or
(2) damage or security deposits paid from or encumbered by
township funds.
(e) If the trustee determines that a housing unit for which payment
is requested is substantially below minimum standards of health,
safety, or construction, the trustee, when necessary, shall assist the
applicant in obtaining appropriate alternate shelter.
(f) A township trustee is not required to spend township assistance
funds for a shelter damage or security deposit for an eligible
township assistance applicant or household. However, the trustee
may encumber money for a shelter damage or security deposit by
making an agreement with a property owner who furnishes shelter
for a township assistance recipient or household. The agreement
must include the following:
(1) The agreement's duration, not to exceed one hundred eighty
(180) days.
(2) A statement that the agreement may be renewed if both
parties agree.
(3) The total value of the encumbered money, not to exceed the
value of one (1) month's rental payment.
(4) A statement signed by both the trustee and the property
owner attesting to the condition of the property at the time the
agreement is made.
(5) A statement that encumbered money may be used to pay the
cost of:
(A) verified damages, normal wear excluded, caused by the
tenant township assistance recipient during the duration of
the agreement; and
(B) any unpaid rental payments for which the tenant
township assistance recipient is obligated.
(6) A statement that the total amount to be paid from the
encumbered money may not exceed one (1) month's rental
payment for the unit in question.
(g) A trustee is not required to provide shelter assistance to an
otherwise eligible individual if the:
(1) individual's most recent residence was provided by the
individual's parent, guardian, or foster parent; and
(2) individual, without just cause, leaves that residence for the
shelter for which the individual seeks assistance. As added by P.L.51-1996, SEC.62. Amended by P.L.73-2005,
SEC.80.
