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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.

HOUSEHOLD GOODS AND FURNITURE may be available to those that need assistance with beds, refrigerators or stoves.

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.

Categories

Property Tax Payment Assistance
Utility Service Payment Assistance
Mortgage Payment Assistance
Furniture
Transportation Expense Assistance
General Appliance Provision
Medical Expense Assistance
Burial/Cremation Expense Assistance
Rent Payment Assistance
Travelers Assistance

Offers financial assistance to those who are income eligible and who have no insurance or other methods in which to pay for needed dental work. Applicants must be experiencing current dental pain and/or have difficulty eating/chewing, or the applicant must have missing/broken and/or decayed front teeth with such an appearance that the condition hinders the applicant's ability to obtain employment.

**The dentist being used must be willing to accept a voucher and to send the bill directly to MCHA.

Provides emergency assistance for utilities, housing, and gas vouchers. Consideration may be given to other emergencies to determine if it is a necessity. Does not assist with housing/utility deposits.

Categories

Rent Payment Assistance
Utility Service Payment Assistance
Mortgage Payment Assistance
Medical Expense Assistance

Basic Needs Assistance Program is designed to meet the emergency needs of low-income persons age 18-59 years with a disability and adults over 60 with or without a disability. Funds are available for material aid: for emergency needs such as rent payment assistance, utility bills, eyeglasses, prescription medications, and minor home repairs. The limit for a request is $400 every 2 years. If a service or funds are available elsewhere the assistance will not be approved until all resources have been explored. Assistance can only be issued when funding is available.

Categories

Utility Service Payment Assistance
Rent Payment Assistance
Temporary Financial Assistance
Home Maintenance and Minor Repair Grants/Loans
Medical Expense Assistance
Assistive Technology Equipment Provision Options
People requiring services are asked to call and inquire about the status of the services required. The Health Insurance Premium Payment Program provides a program that helps people get insurance or keep insurance they already have by paying for the premiums.

Primary medical care services for most minor or intermediate sickness.

Services also include, physicals for adults, community wellness groups, and screenings that are conducted throughout the community for individuals who are at high risk for a particular disease, like high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, or cancer. Prescription assistance is also offered.

Categories

Community Wellness Programs
General Medical Care
Affordable Care Act Insurance Information/Counseling
Diabetes Screening
Community Clinics
Medical Expense Assistance
Nutrition Education
Blood Pressure Screening
Disease/Disability Information
Cholesterol/Triglycerides Tests
The Commission of Veteran Affairs serves as an agency of last resort for temporary financial assistance for rent, utilities (electric/heating fuel), prescription drugs, and other like needs.

Categories

Electric Service Payment Assistance
Heating Fuel Payment Assistance
Rent Payment Assistance
Undesignated Temporary Financial Assistance
Prescription Expense Assistance

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

Categories

Mortgage Payment Assistance
Temporary Financial Assistance
Rent Payment Assistance
Medical Expense Assistance
Utility Service Payment Assistance

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

Categories

Mortgage Payment Assistance
Temporary Financial Assistance
Utility Service Payment Assistance
Rent Payment Assistance
Medical Expense Assistance
The Basic Needs Program assists Johnson County residents with up to $100.00 towards a prescription medication.
Northeast Iowa Community Action Corporation is a Community Action Agency. Family Service Specialists work with individuals and families facing difficult and crisis situations. They are able to provide assistance in connecting to needed community programs and services. In addition, base on funding and donations, the office can support a crisis fund which allows them to provide assistance with rent, medical and prescription expenses, gas money, utilities, and other basic necessities when the household is facing an emergency situation. The agency actively seeks funds for the crisis program and all funds donated to a county stay in that county and are used to support the residents of that county.

Categories

Specialized Information and Referral
Rent Payment Assistance
Gas Service Payment Assistance
Heating Fuel Payment Assistance
Medical Care Expense Assistance
Gas Money
Electric Service Payment Assistance
General Relief
Burial/Cremation Expense Assistance
Undesignated Temporary Financial Assistance
Community Action Agencies
Prescription Expense Assistance
Free prescription discount drug card may be used any time prescriptions are not covered by insurance for savings of up to 20% at a participating pharmacy.

Categories

Prescription Medication Services
County Government Departments/Offices

Provides financial assistance for rent, utilities, transportation to medical care, prescription medications, and burial expenses for eligible residents. Services are coordinated by the Public Health Department.

Categories

Prescription Medication Services
Rent Payment Assistance
Utility Service Payment Assistance
Non-Emergency Medical Transportation
Burial/Cremation Expense Assistance

Provides medical and cash assistance for customers who are 65 years of age or older, blind, or disabled. Also includes the QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary) program which provides payment of Medicare premiums and some Medicare co-payments.

The online application is called "Application for Benefits Eligibility (ABE)." When applying, the state will determine the applicant's eligibility for this AABD, as well as SNAP and medical assistance (Medicaid).

Provides medical and cash assistance for customers who are 65 years of age or older, blind, or disabled. Also includes the QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary) program which provides payment of Medicare premiums and some Medicare co-payments.

The online application is called "Application for Benefits Eligibility (ABE)." When applying, the state will determine the applicant's eligibility for this AABD, as well as SNAP and medical assistance (Medicaid).

Provides medical and cash assistance for customers who are 65 years of age or older, blind, or disabled. Also includes the QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary) program which provides payment of Medicare premiums and some Medicare co-payments.

The online application is called "Application for Benefits Eligibility (ABE)." When applying, the state will determine the applicant's eligibility for this AABD, as well as SNAP and medical assistance (Medicaid).

Prescription drug discount card program through FamilyWize.Org.

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 or mortgage payments, utilities and food may be available for Veterans and their dependents. Can also assists with applications for benefits made available by federal, state or local laws.


Provides rides to medical appointments to the VA Hospital in either Knoxville or Des Moines. Call at least 5 days ahead with the date of appointment and the time and location.

***Please note our transportation is not handicap accessible***

Categories

Rent Payment Assistance
Retirement Benefits
Medical Expense Assistance
Veteran Benefits Assistance
Non-Emergency Medical Transportation
Utility Service Payment Assistance
Veteran Compensation and Pension Benefits
Veteran Burial Benefits
Food Vouchers

Provides financial assistance to senior and disabled individuals with unmet needs. Services could include car repairs, eye glasses, medical equipment, dental care, or help with clothing.

Senior Basket Program assists seniors with various items that cannot be acquired with food stamps. Basket varieties include things like cleaning supplies, kitchen items, or personal hygiene supplies. Two Baskets are distributed each year in the Spring and Fall.

Categories

Medical Expense Assistance
Clothing Vouchers
Assistive Technology Equipment Provision Options
Automotive Repair and Maintenance

Provides emergency assistance when funds are available. Assistance is provided through vouchers written directly to the service provider and may include assistance with rent, utilities, medical prescriptions, clothing, and food.

Also participates with the Nicor Gas Sharing program, which provides assistance with natural gas bills for those in need. Applications are available during those months in which the program is operating.

Categories

Rent Payment Assistance
Temporary Financial Assistance
Food Vouchers
Utility Service Payment Assistance
Medical Expense Assistance
General Clothing Provision
Provides sexually transmitted infection testing and treatment as well as Hepatitis A, B and C testing. Can also prescribe medications for those living with HIV.

Categories

Sexually Transmitted Infection Treatment
Hepatitis Testing
Sexually Transmitted Infection Screening
Prescription Medication Services
Offers crisis funding for those needing transportation assistance, rent, utilities, medicine and other bills to help families out in a crisis situation.

Categories

Rent Payment Assistance
Utility Service Payment Assistance
Medical Expense Assistance
Transportation Expense Assistance
Offers crisis funding for those needing transportation assistance, rent, utilities, medicine and other bills to help families out in a crisis situation.

Categories

Rent Payment Assistance
Utility Service Payment Assistance
Medical Expense Assistance
Transportation Expense Assistance

Provides financial assistance to senior and disabled individuals with unmet needs. Services could include car repairs, eye glasses, medical equipment, dental care, or help with clothing.

Senior Basket Program assists seniors with various items that cannot be acquired with food stamps. Basket varieties include things like cleaning supplies, kitchen items, or personal hygiene supplies. Two Baskets are distributed each year in the Spring and Fall.

Categories

Medical Expense Assistance
Clothing Vouchers
Assistive Technology Equipment Provision Options
Automotive Repair and Maintenance
Offers competitive prices for prescription and over-the-counter medicines, both generic and brand-name. On average, filling a prescription at OneWorld costs 20-50% less than filling at other pharmacies. Also offers a medication assistance program (MAP), which is available for income-eligible patients and those with chronic diseases.

Categories

Pharmacies
Prescription Medication Services
Medical Expense Assistance