1. (a) The commission shall adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 for the provision of grants under this chapter. Subject to subsection (b), the rules adopted under this section must address the following:

   1. (1) Eligibility criteria.
   2. (2) Application procedures.
   3. (3) A consideration of the extent to which an individual has used assistance available from other assistance programs before assistance may be provided to the individual from the fund.
   4. (4) Other areas in which the commission determines that rules are necessary to ensure the uniform administration of the grant program under this chapter.

2. (b) The following apply to grants awarded under this chapter:

   1. (1) The maximum amount an individual may receive from the fund is two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500), unless a higher amount is approved by the commission.

   2. (2) The commission may consider the following in its analysis of the applicant's request for assistance in excess of two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500):

      1. (A) The department's eligibility determination of the applicant.
      2. (B) Facts considered in the department's need determination.
      3. (C) The circumstances surrounding the applicant's hardship, if applicable.
      4. (D) Any substantive changes in the applicant's financial situation after the original application was submitted.
      5. (E) Facts that may have been unknown or unavailable at the time of the applicant's original application for assistance.
      6. (F) Other compelling circumstances that may justify assistance in excess of the two thousand five hundred dollar ($2,500) threshold.
   3. (3) An employee of the department who is otherwise eligible for a grant from the fund must submit the employee's application directly to the commission for review. The department shall have no influence in any part of the employee's application.
   4. (4) The commission shall approve or deny within sixty (60) days an application for a grant filed with the commission after June 30, 2019, by an employee of the department. The commission shall return an incomplete application with a notation as to omissions. The return of an incomplete application shall be without prejudice.
   5. (5) The department may engage with the applicant's identified vendor to verify debts or estimates and effectuate payment directly to the vendor.

As added by P.L.58-2006, SEC.8. Amended by P.L.144-2007, SEC.14; P.L.113-2010, SEC.79; P.L.99-2016, SEC.10; P.L.132-2019, SEC.2; P.L.42-2020, SEC.14; P.L.156-2020, SEC.49; P.L.53-2021, SEC.5; P.L.94-2026, SEC.54.