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General Assistance is a county-funded program that can help with emergency financial needs including:

Current rent
Current utility monthly usage including water, electric, or gas
Burial/cremation assistance

Does not assist with deposits of any kind. Eligibility is based on Federal Poverty Guidelines. All funding approved through General Assistance will be paid directly to the vendor or landlord.

General Assistance is located within the Auditor's Office on the main floor of the Poweshiek County Courthouse.

Provides standard and emergency assistance to Air Force and Space Force families when unexpected financial emergencies arise with no-interest loans and grants. The programs are intended to help meet immediate financial emergency needs and help make a positive step toward a lasting financial solution.  Assistance many be in the form of loans or grants.

Assistance programs may help with emergency assistance for rent or utilities, medical or dental care costs, funeral expenses, vehicle expenses (repair, payment, insurance, gas, etc.), pet medical care or transportation to/from an overseas assignment, food, personal hygiene items, child care expenses, and more.

Reimburses for funeral and burial expenses when a person's resources and all other sources of payment are less than the DHS standard payment rates. The maximum amount that DHS will pay is $1,370 for a funeral and $686 for a cremation/burial.

Provides general assistance to those in need. Must meet income guidelines.

Provides emergency financial assistance in the areas of rent, gas money, utilities, prescription drugs, and funeral and cemetery expenses. This financial aid can be granted in addition to other types of financial aid the person may be receiving such as Social Security or Food Stamps on a one-time emergency basis. All financial assistance payments are made to the service providers, not to the clients themselves.

Also provides the diaper program for parents in need of diapers.

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.

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, and burial expenses may be available. Can also assists with applications for benefits made available by federal, state or local laws.

Reimburses for funeral and burial expenses when a person's resources and all other sources of payment are less than the DHS standard payment rates. The maximum amount that DHS will pay is $1,370 for a funeral and $686 for a cremation/burial.

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, and burial expenses may be available. Can also assists with applications for benefits made available by federal, state or local laws.

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, and burial expense may be available. Can also assists with applications for benefits made available by federal, state or local laws.

Provides assistance to Veteran's with utilities, rent, mortgage interest, funeral, burial expenses, and grave markers. Assists Veteran's applying for compensation and pension programs, and with pension forms, information and claims assistance for all VA benefits.

Reimburses for funeral and burial expenses when a person's resources and all other sources of payment are less than the DHS standard payment rates. The maximum amount that DHS will pay is $1,370 for a funeral and $686 for a cremation/burial.

Reimburses for funeral and burial expenses when a person's resources and all other sources of payment are less than the DHS standard payment rates. The maximum amount that DHS will pay is $1,370 for a funeral and $686 for a cremation/burial.

Reimburses for funeral and burial expenses when a person's resources and all other sources of payment are less than the DHS standard payment rates. The maximum amount that DHS will pay is $1,370 for a funeral and $686 for a cremation/burial.

Provides temporary assistance for basic needs, including rent/lot rent, utilities, and food vouchers for eligible county residents. Cannot be on Subsidized Housing, or a Veteran.

Additionally, the program may provide financial assistance for burial or cremation expenses to help families cover funeral and interment costs. 

Assists the families of children between the ages of 3 and 18 who have passed away by lifting the economic burden and ensuring a proper end-of-life ceremony.

Reimburses for funeral and burial expenses when a person's resources and all other sources of payment are less than the DHS standard payment rates. The maximum amount that DHS will pay is $1,370 for a funeral and $686 for a cremation/burial.

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, burial expense, prescription medication co-pays, non-emergency medical transportation, and food may be available. Can also assists with applications for benefits made available by federal, state or local laws.