Iowa County provides temporary short term financial assistance to residents of Iowa County who are determined to be poor and or needy as defined by the General Assistance Ordinance.

Assistance can be in the form of payment of rent, utilities, burial expenses, food, limited medical benefits and other necessary expenses of daily living. Eligibility guidelines are defined in the County Ordinance.

Community Services accepts and processes applications for Veteran's Assistance which is a program similar to General Assistance. Other Veteran's benefits are handled by the County Commissioners.

 Community Services serves as a local board for federal emergency management funds.

 Funds are received twice a year and are generally expended within 2-3 weeks. 

 Payment is limited primarily to persons with a utility shut-off notice, an eviction notice and first months rent in a new location.

 The goal of FEMA is to prevent homelessness.