SOUTH BEND — The Portage Township Advisory Board recently adjusted the income requirements for those seeking financial assistance to 133% of the federal poverty level in 2023. That’s an annual income of $18,000 for one person and nearly $37,000 for a family of four.
Portage Township Trustee Jason Critchlow, who took office on Jan. 1, said this was a decrease from last year’s threshold of 150% of the federal poverty level, but that level of 100%. We are avoiding the original plan to reduce it to 10%.
He explained that former trustee Sean Coleman raised it to 150% to use up the unused reserves. Critchlow says he managed to do just that, and the plan was for him to pull back 100%. But Critchlow and his advisory board said they feel the township can afford to help people whose income is at 133% of his federal poverty level.
The township covers most of South Bend and the office has provided nearly $500,000 in aid in 2022. As of Tuesday, Portage Township also included baby products as one of the areas it could help.
“With prices rising, even fully-employed families are struggling to pay the simple household expenses they need to survive,” Mr Crichlow said of those seeking help.
To seek help, stop by the trustee’s office at 133 N. William St., open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm and Friday from 8:00 am to noon. Or call us at 574-233-2126.that website is portage-township.com.
