Low-Income Resources in Iowa
Welcome to Money Fit’s Low-income resource list. There are different options organized into four categories: Food, Housing/Utilities, Child/Family Care, and Healthcare. Each resource has a brief description as well as contact information like a phone number and website URL.
We also provided an application for our Debt Management Program. If you’re struggling with debt, our nonprofit organization can provide the help you need to overcome financial burdens.
Use the following resources to determine if you qualify to receive financial assistance from a variety of programs.
How You Can Benefit From a Debt Management Program
While many consumers define debt management differently, we can all agree that getting out of excessive consumer debt leads to greater stability, less stress, and improved chances for long-term financial success.
Debt relief, debt counseling, debt consolidation, debt negotiations, debt elimination, and debt management all seem to mean the same thing: get rid of debt. However, they can vary widely in their meaning and method. Often, unscrupulous online actors identify themselves by one term but lead their unsuspecting clients down a completely different, and often financially disastrous, path.
If you are looking for a program that helps you repay 100% of your debts at more favorable terms, then look no further than Money Fit’s Debt Management Program.
Food Resources
Food Bank of Iowa
Provides food for Iowa children, families, and seniors to lead full and active lives, strengthening the communities where they live.
Address: P.O. Box 1517, Des Moines, IA 50305
Phone: 515-564-0330
Website: click here
Linn Community Food Bank
The Linn Community Food Bank is an all-volunteer organization, led by an all-volunteer working Board of Directors, and supported entirely by donations. Linn Community Food Bank is incorporated with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, tax-deductible status.
Address: First Presbyterian Church, 310 5th St. SE, Cedar Rapids, IA, 52401
Phone: 319-364-3543
Website: click here
HACAP – Mobile Food Bank
The mission of the Mobile Pantry Program is to meet the needs of hungry clients in urban and rural areas by providing food directly in their communities.
Phone: (319) 393-7811
Website: click here
Federal Resource – Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
SNAP provides nutrition benefits to supplement the food budget of needy families so they can purchase healthy food and move towards self-sufficiency.
Housing and Utilities
Iowa Finance Authority
At the Iowa Finance Authority, we turn small actions into big reactions. From mortgage or down payment assistance and rental programs that provide affordable homes to low-cost funds for drinking water, help for beginning farmers, and more—we impact all Iowans.
Phone: 515-452-0400
Website: click here
Local Resource Community Action of Eastern Iowa – Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
You may be able to get help paying for part of your winter heating costs if you meet income guidelines. Community Action of Eastern Iowa will help you apply for benefits through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Until you apply, we cannot tell you how much money you will receive, but the amount could range from $200 to more than $500. Assistance levels depend on income level, family size, the type of fuel you use to heat your home, and other factors. If you are determined eligible for benefits through the LIHEAP program, you will also be prevented from disconnection from your heating and electrical service through April 1st of each year. If you heat your home with liquid propane (LP), you can qualify to receive delivery of propane through this program.
Address: insert here
Phone: (563) 324-3236
Website: click here
federal resource – Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps keep families safe and healthy through initiatives that assist families with energy costs.
Child and Family Care
Family Investment Program (FIP)
The Family Investment Program (FIP) is Iowa’s Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program. FIP provides cash assistance to needy families as they become self-supporting so that children may be cared for in their own homes or in the homes of relatives.
Phone: 1-800-972-2017
Website: click here
Federal Resource – Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
WIC is a federally funded nutrition program for Women, Infants, and Children that helps families by providing financial assistance to purchase healthy supplemental foods from WIC-authorized vendors.
WIC also provides nutrition education, breastfeeding information, and support as well as assists in finding healthcare and other community services.
Federal Resource – The Head Start Program
Head Start programs support children’s growth and development in a positive learning environment through a variety of services, which include
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Early learning: Children’s readiness for school and beyond is fostered through individualized learning experiences. Through relationships with adults, play, and planned and spontaneous instruction, children grow in many aspects of development. Children progress in social skills and emotional well-being, along with language and literacy learning, and concept development
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Health: Each child’s perceptual, motor, and physical development is supported to permit them to fully explore and function in their environment. All children receive health and development screenings, nutritious meals, oral health, and mental health support. Programs connect families with medical, dental, and mental health services to ensure that children are receiving the services they need.
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Family well-being: Parents and families are supported in achieving their own goals, such as housing stability, continued education, and financial security. Programs support and strengthen parent-child relationships and engage families around children’s learning and development.
Federal Resource – Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program provides grant funds to states and territories to provide families with financial assistance and related support services. State-administered programs may include childcare assistance, job preparation, and work assistance.
Healthcare Resources
IOWA Department of Human Services
The department’s mission is to help Iowans achieve healthy, safe, stable, and self-sufficient lives through the programs and services we provide.
Phone: 1-800-972-2017
Website: click here
Federal Resource – Medicaid
Authorized by Title XIX of the Social Security Act, Medicaid was signed into law in 1965 alongside Medicare. All states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. territories have Medicaid programs designed to provide health coverage for low-income people. Although the Federal government establishes certain parameters for all states to follow, each state administers its Medicaid program differently, resulting in variations in Medicaid coverage across the country.
