Iowa Aid and Assistance Programs
How to obtain assistance, aid and grants in all cities and counties in Iowa, including Des Moines and Cedar Rapids.
Assistance Programs
Operation Round Up
Most of Iowa's gas and utility companies are in this program. Funds and cash grants are available to help families in need of help. The grants provided can be used to pay rent, grocery bills, utility bills, shelter, clothing, medical bills, and medical needs. More on Operation Round Up.
Mortgage Assistance Programs
The state of Iowa created several programs back in 2007 that provide mortgage help to people who are struggling with their mortgage payments or who may be facing a foreclosure. Click here to learn more.
In addition, the state created a voluntary foreclosure mediation program that will help borrowers and homeowners meet with a neutral third party to find a solution. Learn more.
Various non-profit organizations across Iowa also offer housing and foreclosure solutions. Continue.
Healthy and Well Kids in Iowa (Hawk-i)
This aid program provides free or heavily discounted healthcare insurance coverage for low-income families to help them pay medical bills and debt. It helps those families that earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but do not make enough to afford private insurance. 1-800-257-8563
Child Care Assistance (CCA)
This can help pay for child care bills and expenses for lower income families if the parent or guardian is working, training for a job, or pursuing education. 1-800- 972-2017
Food Assistance
This program promotes the general welfare of lower income individuals and families by raising their levels of nutrition to avoid malnutrition and hunger.
Family Investment Program (FIP)
This is Iowa's Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program. FIP will provide cash grants to needy families as those families become self-supporting so that the children may be cared for in their own homes or in the homes of relatives. Contact your local Iowa County Department of Human Services.
Promise Jobs
This program will assist with training services and work for people in families eligible for FIP cash assistance. Education and training, among other services, are offered. (866) 227-9874
Iowa Rent Assistance
The federal government Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program provided Iowa with funds that allowed the state to create a program called Iowa Rental Help which will help thousands of families maintain or acquire an affordable rental home. Read more.
Iowa Medication Voucher Program
This program is being created by the Iowa Prescription Drug Corporation. The program will help eligible lower and moderate income Iowans pay for various medications such as those for high blood pressure, depression, diabetes, elevated cholesterol, and pregnancy prenatal care. The program will pay for tens of thousands of prescription medicines. 1-866-282-5817
Embrace Iowa
A program that is sponsored by the Des Moines Register. It will assist Iowans who need immediate financial assistance for paying bills if they are unable to receive help through other existing programs. 515.447.4222. Read more.
Free Health Care from Clinics
With about twenty percent of the population lacking health insurance, and many more classified as low income, clinics are a great option for medical care. Learn more on Iowa community clinics.
Dental services, check ups, and care
Various clinics, per above, help with medical and general health care needs. However a number of other dental centers focus on providing free or low cost dental assistance. Continue.
Iowa Food Assistance and Banks
Hundreds of centers operate across the state and provide free food and perishable items to people who need help. The facilities are determined to reduce or eliminate hunger across Iowa, and mostly are private, non-profit organizations. Click here.
Heating and Energy Bills
Iowa families and individuals have several different assistance programs available to them that can help them pay their energy bills. Some are offered by the government, but most are administered directly by the utility companies. Read more.
Assistance From Iowa Cities and Counties
Black Hawk County (Waterloo)
Cass County (Atlantic)
Cerro Gordo County (Mason City)
Crawford County (Denison)
Des Moines
Dubuque
Emmet County (Estherville)
Fremont County (Sidney)
Harrison County (Logan)
Jasper County (Newton)
Linn County (Cedar Rapids)
Fremont County, Harrison County, Mills County, Montgomery County, Monona County, Shelby County. More.
Mills County (Glenwood)
Monona County (Onawa)
Montgomery County (Red Oak)
Muscatine County
Page County (Clarinda)
Polk County (Des Moines)
Pottawattamie County (Council Bluffs)
Scott County (Davenport)
Shelby County (Harlan)
Sioux County (Orange City)
Woodbury County (Sioux City)
Iowa Heating and Energy Bill Programs
Find how to get help for paying energy bills. Get information on Iowa utility assistance programs.
Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)
WAP was established to help reduce the cooling and heating bills for low income persons, particularly the disabled, elderly, and children. The goal of the program is to improve the energy efficiency of their homes.
The Black Hills Cares Energy Assistance Program
This assistance program provides funds to help those people in need with paying their energy bills or emergency energy-related expenses, such as furnace repairs.
Iowa Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
The program will aid eligible households in the payment of a part of their heating bills. The program has an energy crisis intervention component that is designed to provide immediate assistance to address potentially life-threatening situations. The client education part of the LIHEAP program provides grants for activities that promote energy awareness, encourage regular utility payments, and also encourage saving energy through energy efficiency and homeowner education.
MidAmerican Energy's I CARE program
I CARE will help local community action agencies with providing financial assistance for home heating bills and home weatherization.
ReCare
Most utility and gas companies offer this program. Funds are distributed to help pay winter heating bills and to also assist in weatherization improvements of low-income consumers' homes.
