General Assistance Program Policy

Download the full General Assistance Policy here. 
Revised Policy approved and adopted by the Board of Supervisors on July 1, 2025

Legal Reference

This policy is enacted to implement Black Hawk County’s obligation under Iowa Code Chapter 252, Support of the Poor.

Purpose

The purpose of the Black Hawk County General Assistance Program is to provide aid to a needy or poor person who needs immediate assistance not obtainable from any other source.

There are two categories of assistance in Black Hawk County (“County”):

1. Emergency assistance for needy persons; and

2. Assistance for poor persons.

Definitions

A. Needy person: a person domiciled in Black Hawk County, or a transient of the County for less than three days, who needs immediate assistance.

B. Poor person: a person who has no property, exempt or otherwise, and who is unable, because of physical or mental disabilities, to earn a living by labor, and cannot otherwise make a living.

C. Assistance: rent, utilities, medications, and bus tickets for transients. Assistance shall also include funeral and/or burial services for a person who is a resident of the County pursuant to the County Burial Policy.

How to Apply

Anyone wishing to apply for assistance shall call (319) 292-2261. They may be referred to a contracting agency for rent or utility assistance.

The Black Hawk County Board of Supervisors may assign functions of this Policy to an outside agency that has contracted to provide services to the County.

Eligibility

To be eligible for assistance, the applicant must be a resident of Black Hawk County and a Citizen of the United States. When nonresidents request assistance in Black Hawk County, the county of their residency will be contacted regarding the assistance.

Each application shall be considered based on need, reason for need, and inability to provide or secure basic necessities of life without assistance. An eligible resident may be assisted up to a maximum of one time per month. Assistance may be granted to an applicant up to a maximum of three (3) times during any one fiscal year.

All applicants for assistance who state they have zero income must be receiving or applying for food stamps. All applicants who have been denied assistance by the Department of Human Services (“DHS”) for non-compliance with one or more DHS programs are also ineligible for County assistance.

The Black Hawk County General Assistance Program is designed to provide short-term assistance to persons lacking the resources to meet their basic needs. It is not intended to provide ongoing, long-term aid to any individual or family.

Veterans

Honorably discharged Veterans and their family members are ineligible for Black Hawk County General Assistance funds and should apply for assistance through the Veteran Affairs Office located at 1407 Independence Avenue, Waterloo, Iowa. The Veteran’s Affairs Office can be called at (319) 291-2512.

Black Hawk County Employees

The Black Hawk County General Assistance Program may assist County employees if they are deemed eligible under the guidelines.

Income Guidelines

All income and resources within the household will be considered.

Applicants found to have income less than the established guidelines shall generally be considered for assistance. If money was stolen or lost, a police report must have been filed in a timely manner prior to application for County assistance.

The income scale in the guidelines is to be used as a benchmark only and is not binding. For applicants whose income exceeds the guideline maximum, further consideration may be given to their individual circumstances if deemed appropriate.

Income Guidelines are included at the end of this document.

Assistance

A. Utility: (gas, LP, water, electric)

Utility Assistance is available for applicants in a disconnect situation. In order to be eligible for assistance with payment of a utility bill, the applicant must have made a minimum of three payments, or a reasonable effort during the moratorium, toward the utility bill. If the applicant has not made any effort to make payments during the moratorium, the applicant shall be deemed ineligible for utility assistance.

Award Allotments are outlined at the end of this document.

B. Shelter

The Black Hawk County General Assistance Program can assist applicants who are renting and have received a notice of unpaid rent and can assist homeowners who have received a default/late payment notice concerning mortgage payments. If an applicant is moving into a new dwelling, all deposits will need to be paid, or worked out, with the landlord before any assistance may be authorized.

Shelter assistance will be pro-rated for a recipient who moves into a new dwelling after the first of the month. Shelter assistance will be paid only to an owner or property manager who has provided a Tax ID Number or Social Security Number to the County. A landlord or mortgagee must agree to allow the applicant to remain in the property for the period covering County assistance. Assistance will not be paid to a relative, even if that relative is the applicant’s actual landlord or mortgagee.

Award Allotments are outlined at the end of this document.

C. Homeless

A person who is in a homeless shelter or living on the streets may apply for assistance of up to $500.00 toward her or his first month’s rent. Black Hawk County works cooperatively with homeless outreach staff at People’s Community Health Clinic in addressing cases of homelessness.

D. Medications

Black Hawk County may assist applicants with the cost of their medications on a limited basis if awaiting approval for medical insurance. Black Hawk County cannot and shall not assist any applicant who is insured under any health insurance coverage.

Black Hawk County will assist with medication in a generic form only, unless no generic form exists, or the prescribing physician specifies a brand name. The County cannot and shall not help with purchasing any form of nicotine, contraception, diet medication, or diabetic medication and/or supplies. The County cannot and shall not help with purchasing any pain medications.

Reimbursement

Applicants shall be informed of their obligation to reimburse Black Hawk County when an applicant becomes financially capable of reimbursement.

Exception

The County General Assistance Coordinator (“Coordinator”) may issue a policy exception, allowing an applicant to exceed the established award allowances, and/or approving an applicant for assistance when the applicant does not meet eligibility criteria if upon review it is determined that allowing an exception to the policy is consistent with, and better satisfies, Black Hawk County’s mission to protect the health and safety of County residents.

Appeal Process

Any applicant who is denied assistance shall be informed of that decision in person, by telephone, or by mail. Applicant may appeal that decision in writing to the General Assistance Coordinator within five (5) working days of the date of being informed of denial. The date of being informed of denial shall be (a) the date of the conversation if informed in person or by telephone, or (b) three (3) days following the date of mailing of written notice if informed by mail. The Coordinator shall conduct a 1st level appeal interview within five (5) working days of the appeal request. The Coordinator shall issue a decision within five (5) working days of the appeal interview. Applicants not satisfied with the Coordinator’s decision may proceed to appeal the decision to the Black Hawk County Board of Supervisors. The County shall aid in filing the appeal to any applicant who has difficulty because of inability to read, write, or understand the appeal process.

Monthly Income Guidelines

The monthly income guidelines to be used will be 100% of the federal poverty guidelines. Amounts will be adjusted annually each July 1.
The rates for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026 are reflected below, as an example:

Utility (gas, LP, water, electric):

The maximum monthly gas and electric allowance is $75.00, per person in an eligible household, for both gas and electric, and this assistance may also be used toward a minimum fill for households that use L.P. gas or fuel oil if they, or either of them, are used for home heating, water heating, cooking, or clothes dryers. The funding may also be approved to provide up to a maximum of $100.00 toward a water bill. County assistance cannot and shall not be used to pay reconnect charges, late fees, or deposits.

Shelter:

Monthly rent/mortgage assistance may be authorized up to the following maximum allowances, determined by number of persons in an eligible family: