We understand that sometimes unexpected difficulties can arise. Our office is here to help residents of our community facing temporary hardship. Our emergency assistance program offers temporary financial aid to qualified individuals and families. This assistance can help cover essential needs like food, rent, utilities, emergency shelter, clothing, and even burial costs. During your appointment, our staff will assess your situation and determine your eligibility based on our established criteria. To expedite the process, please gather all required documents before your visit. Residency and income guidelines apply. Those who may qualify for other benefit programs will be required to make a formal application with those programs.

The Township has contracted with the Jennings County Coordinating Council to provide food assistance to residents of Spencer Township. Through this contract, we have streamlined the process and made it much quicker and much easier to receive food assistance. Residents can visit the Coordinating Council during their normal business hours and request food without the need to meet with the trustee or complete an application for township assistance. Outside of normal business hours, if an emergency need arises, contact the trustee to receive food assistance. Please visit the Food Pantry information in the Assistance menu for more information about the food pantry and their hours of operations.

It's important to remember that township assistance is designed to be a last-resort help for a short period of time due to an unexpected hardship or until other benefits are being processed. While we're here to support you during a challenging time, our goal is to help you get back on your feet as quickly as possible. We can also provide resources and referrals to connect you with other programs that offer long-term assistance. All applicants applying for township assistance will be processed according to written uniform standards, without regard to the applicant's age, sex religious creed, national origin, political belief, or physical or mental handicap.

Using the Assistance menu, you will find our Township Assistance Guidelines, a printable Application for Township Assistance, a checklist of required documentation and an other available resources. If you are unable to print an application, copies are available at the Jennings County Coodinating Council or by contacting the trustee.

Emergency assistance meetings are made on an as needed basis. If you have an emergency and need to make an appointment outside of what is availale on the appointment calendar, please contact the trustee. To apply for assistance, we encourage you to contact our office.