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.

[Pre-1992 Revision Citation: 12-2-1-10(d) part.]

As added by P.L.2-1992, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.51-1996, SEC.57; P.L.73-2005, SEC.73.