New township trustee meets challenges
By Debbie Lowe Staff writer

D e e r Creek Township's new trustee, Neda K. Duff, has been in office for about 50 days and she has already met challenges in p r o v i d i n g township assistance. Duff Duff told the Comet in a Feb. 9 interview that she continues to learn about her new position each day. Her goal is to provide assistance more effectively and efficiently.

Duff said the system is "very complicated" and she wants to qualify as many people who are eligible. She first has to verify that person is eligible for assistance. That task can take days rather than hours.

"Township assistance is the last place people should seek assistance," Duff said. "Before they come to see me, they should ask for help from other groups." For instance, Duff said family who needs help with heating bill must first approach Area IV for assistance. When other resources are depleted, the township trustee can be of help.

Former trustee Helen Schilling reported helping 64 households, with a total of 115 people, in 2006. Some of those numbers were duplicates that can only be counted statistically one time. The published annual township report indicated Schilling spent $25,736.89 in township assistance in 2006.

Duff said the trustee can help with needs such as food, shelter, clothing, utilities, medications, school supplies, burial services and some transportation costs.

"I only have $50,000 in the assistance budget this year," Duff said. "If you think of helping people with rent of $500, you soon realize the budgeted amount isn't going to go very far." Duff said she received community resource guide from Area IV that she finds very helpful. She recommends everyone who has needs in the community secure a copy of the booklet to familiarize themselves with available local resources.

Duff cautioned those who might need assistance to not wait until the final hour to ask for help.

"If they are behind in their bill more than a month, they need to take action," Duff said. "They need to start looking at what's available to them."

Duff's trustee office hours are every Thursday from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. One Thursday month she will hold office hours in the lounge at the courthouse.

Duff prefers people make appointments to see her. And she prefers applications be completed before the appointment to decrease the amount of time it might take for an applicant to be determined eligible and receive needed assistance.

Those needing assistance are encouraged to bring the following with them to their appointment - identification, proof of residency, a social security card for themselves and everyone included on the application, income verification for all members of the household for the past 30 days, documentation where all income was expended in the past 30 days and documentation of inability to work and disability if applicable.

Duff can be reached at (765) 564-6482 for information or to schedule an appointment.

Comet writer-intern Jenna Buehler contributed to this story.