*11/8/24 Currently out of funding. Will not be accepting applications until Jan. 2025.

**Please note, all Polk County residents must go through the Capital Area Command location in Clive to apply for financial assistance.

Offers assist to suburban and rural areas of Polk, Dallas and Warren Counties with financial assistance, food, hygiene, home goods and other needs as items allow. Stops vary for each county:

• De Soto and Redfield - 1st and 3rd Monday of every month.
  • De Soto City Hall, 405 Walnut Street, 9 am-11 am
  • Redfield City Hall, 808 1st Street, 1 pm-3 pm
• Des Moines - 2nd Monday of every month
  • Salvation Army Thrift Store, 4620 SE 14th Street, 9 am-11 am and 1 pm-3 pm
• Indianola - 4th Monday of every month
  • WeLift Job Search Center, 106 East 2nd Avenue, 9 am-11 am and 1 pm-3 pm

Eligibility requirements - varies depending on the need. See the list of the following to know what to bring with you:

• Required For ALL Services:
  • ID/License
  • Medical card for those under the age of 18
  • New clients need proof of address for service area (Polk, Dallas or Warren Counties)
• Rent Assistance:
  • Current rental/lease agreement
  • Landlord/Property Manager/Apartment contact info (email preferred) *if you do not have these items you will need to follow up with a caseworker to provide the documentation)
  • Must plan to repay remaining balance owed after rental assistance
  • No transitional housing help
  • Only available once every 12 months
• Utility Assistance:
  • Must have disconnect notice *if you do not have these items you will need to follow up with a caseworker to provide the documentation
  • No transitional housing help
  • Only available once every 12 months
• Clothing Voucher:
  • Provided for work related circumstance, school clothing, winter clothing
  • Provide proof of employment or job interview to show need for clothing
  • Only available once every 12 months
• Food Assistance:
  • Only available once every 12 months
  • Amount provided in pantry dependent upon household size
• Pathway of Hope and Case Management:
  • Available to individuals/families with children under the age of 18 (counseling, financial assistance, resource advocate)
  • Case Management is availble to anyone (counseling, financial assistance, resource advocate)

Provides limited, short-term financial assistance to local individuals and families through the Good Samaritan Fund for rent and utilities.

May be able to assist with past due rent to those who have dealt with circumstances beyond the household's control. This program does not assist with mortgages or property taxes.

Program availability depends on funding availability. Rents must fall within the local rent standards for the household's size. These programs are funded by a Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)

General Assistance provides temporary assistance for basic or special needs to low income persons who reside in Polk County.

RENTAL ASSISTANCE (Potential First Month's Rent Assistance as well) may be available to those in need. For First Month's Rent - Must be able to prove the following - property must have a valid housing certificate, must be able to show that housing is affordable, utilities must be set up in applicants name and if newly employed, must provide 2-3 check stubs.

**FOR UTILITY ASSISTANCE: November 1-April 30 anyone seeking help for Electric MUST go through the LIHEAP program first. Those applying for Utility Assistance from G.A. must have an acceptance or denial letter from LIHEAP. Must have a disconnect notice and 12 month billing and payment history from the utility company. For water help - call to check on availability of funds.

CREMATION EXPENSE ASSISTANCE may be available to those who meet the income guidelines.

MEDICAL EXPENSE ASSISTANCE may be available for medical supplies (no longer helps with prescription costs) and assistance with transportation to out of town appointments.

MORTGAGE PAYMENT ASSISTANCE may be available to those needing help with their mortgage payment.

PROPERTY TAX PAYMENT ASSISTANCE may be available to assist elderly (aged 65 and older) and disabled homeowners who may qualify for suspension of property taxes.

TRAVELER'S ASSISTANCE may provide transient transportation expenses to person stranded in Polk County for 24 hours or less. Applicant may be eligible if they are not a resident of Polk County and is traveling to another destination where he/she has family or other housing available to them.

Offers short-term rental assistance for individuals that are unable to pay their rent or are currently behind on payments. Max yearly assistance of $300. Must fall at or below 175% of poverty guidelines. Long-term financial assistance may be available towards rent for 6 months and case management for 12 months. Must fall at or below 30% for poverty guidelines and only residents of Warren County may be eligible for long-term assistance.

The Tenant-Based Rental Assistance Program may be eligible for household members for financial assistance for up to 2 years of rent if funding is available. Individuals must pay 30% of their income towards their rent.

Advises and aids veterans and their dependents in applying for federal benefits through compensation or pension claims. Emergency financial assistance for basic necessities such as rent, mortgage interests payments, utilities, burial expense and grave markers may be available. Can also assists with applications for benefits made available by federal, state or local laws.

Provides emergency assistance to help with utility or rent deposits, disconnects, rent eviction prevention, and utility(disconnect) prevention. Payments are made directly to the vendors and landlords. Maximum assistance is $200.

When funding allows, may be able to help with limited financial assistance for basic needs such as childcare payments, rent, rent deposits, utilities, food, hygiene products, car repairs, transportation, prescription costs, etc., through the Community Services Block Grant. Eligibility requirements will apply, and ongoing case management will be required. Contact your local County Outreach Office for more information.

Limited financial assistance provided to prevent rent eviction or utility disconnection. May also assist with rent or utility deposit, where appropriate. Utility assistance can also include cell phone bill help.

First apply for assistance at the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (through ACCESSNebraska at www.accessnebraska.ne.gov) for an eligibility determination and referrals to community agencies with Letter of Eligibility, then schedule an appointment with the Community Service Coordinator.

When funding allows, may be able to help with limited financial assistance for basic needs such as childcare payments, rent, rent deposits, utilities, food, hygiene products, car repairs, transportation, prescription costs, etc., through the Community Services Block Grant. Eligibility requirements will apply, and ongoing case management will be required. Contact your local County Outreach Office for more information.

Provides emergency assistance with rent, utilities, mortgage, medications, and other needs.

Provides emergency financial assistance for rent evictions and utility shut-off notices.

Provides assistance to veterans and their dependents in applying for federal benefits, including compensation or pension claims, and benefits available through federal, state, or local laws. Offers emergency financial assistance for basic necessities such as rent or mortgage payments, utilities, burial benefits, transportation assistance (bus tokens) and food.

Rent or utility assistance may be available to individuals or families with an eviction notice or utility shut-off notice.