Vernon Township boosts assistance for residents in need

The Vernon Township board has voted to increase funding for General Assistance and lower eligibility requirements for Emergency Assistance to township residents due to the economic impacts of COVID-19.

"We recognize the difficult times many of our residents are living through, given the COVID-19 and the subsequent recession," Vernon Township Supervisor Jonathan Altenberg said in an announcement of the decision. "We hope that these changes can help."

The availability of one-time Emergency Assistance will change from once every 18 months to once every 12 months, and income limits will increase to allow more to qualify. Previously, a family of four applying for a $1,000 Emergency Assistance grant would require monthly income under $3,342. That threshold has now been raised to $5,941.

General Assistance monthly disbursements for qualified residents will increase from $315 to $500 per month.

The board also voted to freeze township employee salaries. Trustees and Altenberg agreed to donate their 2020 pay increase to the Vernon Township Food Pantry.