New Albany Township Trustee's Office
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Township Trustee Services

Assistance & Relief

Shelter HouseOverseeing those with financial needs and distributing relief is the primary duty of a trustee in many Indiana townships. The trustee is charged to care for those experiencing financial stress by the most economical means available and at the same time is charged to be sure that the necessary needs of an individual or family are met. The applicant must show that they are unable to provide those needs through personal effort and that they have exhausted all other means.

Many trustees creatively cooperate with other agencies and churches in their areas, keeping costs controlled and delivering services needed. The advantage the Trustee’s systems has over other forms of welfare is the freedom to discern whether or not an individual has and is willing to put forth that personal effort to help themselves. (Indiana Code Title 12)

Assistance with Utility Bills

Assistance with Utility Bills

For Assistance with Utilities you must provide:

  1. Bill must be at a disconnect status, in applicants name
  2. Application to be filled out completely
  3. Indiana picture I.D.
  4. Proof of income for the past 30 days
  5. Lease Information
  6. If unemployed, you must be registered at the Work-One with a resume online and actively seeking employment. You will be required to provide documentation including contact information for the last 5 employment interviews. You will receive paperwork from Township Trustee's Office for documenting the interviews. 
  7. Social Security cards for everyone in the the household.

No exceptions - For all assistance you must have:

  1. Notice of benefits from FSSA
  2. TANF or food stamps current
  3. Indiana Picture I.D.
  4. Social Security Award Letter up to date
  5. A bank statement for the last 30 days
  6. Child Support documents
  7. Lease information

Burials

Burial assistance is available from the Township Trustee when no other means of payment are available. The trustee, according to Indiana Code Title 12, is to oversee the burial of the indigent.

Cemetery Maintenance

According to Indiana Code 23-14 the trustee is to provide and maintain certain pioneer cemeteries located in the township. This includes those cemeteries which have been abandoned.

Fence Disputes

When a dispute arises between two land owners regarding placement and maintenance of line fences, the trustee is to make determination according to Indiana law 32-10-9.

Financials

Each August, the trustee prepares and submits a budget for the incoming year to the three-person township board for approval. As the Chief Financial Officer of the township, the trustee pays and records all claims for the township expenses and salaries and is responsible to keep accurate records and follow all the financial guidelines set out in Indiana Code. 

In January of each year, the trustee presents to the board an annual report which shows all receipts, expenditures, investments and debts. The approved report is then published in local papers for public inspection.

Weed Control

Indiana Code 15-3-4 charges the trustee with destroying detrimental weeds within their township. Guidelines for notification to the property owner are set within the law.