Johnson County General Assistance Guidelines
Adopted by the Board of Supervisors on June 11, 2007
Quick Reference Guide
Page 1
Eligibility:
To be eligible for assistance, an applicant must meet the following requirements: A. Must submit an application. B. Must be a resident of Johnson County. C. Must be a U.S. Citizen or have a temporary or permanent legal status. Households with “mixed status” members, where the applicant does not meet this eligibility requirement, will be considered under the exception clause. D. Must be at least 18 years of age or married E. Must meet income eligibility guidelines. F. Able-bodied persons must be working, actively seeking employment, and be registered with Iowa Workforce Development. 1. An applicant, or household member of an applicant, who has voluntarily terminated employment shall not be eligible for General Assistance for a period of three (3) months after the quit; or until said applicant gets another job which would enable him/her to make an amount, in a month, exceeding the GA income guidelines for the number of members in the household. 2. An applicant, or household member of an applicant, who is registered as a student is not eligible for assistance. This does not include applicants working towards their high school diploma, GED, or engaged in unpaid vocational training provided through their employer, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, or a transitional support services program. 3. An exception may be made for a person who is needed in the home to care for a dependent child or adult with special needs. G. Applicants who state they are unable to work due to a mental or physical illness may be required to provide written verification from a doctor or other professional medical personnel. This verification must state the primary health condition, if the inability to work is temporary or permanent, and the approximate date (if applicable) the applicant may return to employment. H. Applicants must apply for and follow through with all other assistance programs for which they may be eligible such as Veterans Affairs (VA), Family Investment Program (F.I.P.), Food Assistance, Medicaid, IowaCare, Housing Assistance, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Supplemental Security Income (S.S.I.), Social Security, and/or Unemployment, prior to receiving General Assistance. I. Applicants who are eligible for and/or have received maximum assistance benefits from Johnson County Veteran’s Affairs and/or Mental Health/Development Disabilities (MH/DD) Emergency Assistance are not eligible for General Assistance. J. Households who are currently receiving cash assistance from local (VA, MH/DD) federal (SSI, Social Security, Unemployment Assistance) and/or state (FIP) assistance programs are not eligible for General Assistance. Emergency, one-time only assistance may be granted as an exception.
Johnson County General Assistance Guidelines
Adopted by the Board of Supervisors on June 11, 2007
Quick Reference Guide
Page 2
Standards for Provision of Assistance:
Short-Term Assistance Program. An applicant is eligible for up to three (3) months of assistance in any 12 month period. Benefits will not exceed a total of $450.00 for a single-person or $550 for a multipleperson household for any one month period. 1. Applicant must comply with the General Eligibility criteria. 2. The applicant is not eligible for and/or currently receiving other local (VA, MH/DD), state (FIP) or federal (SSI, Social Security, Unemployment) cash assistance programs. 3. Household income: Applicant’s household must have a net income at or below 50% of the Federal Poverty Guideline (updated annually by the US Department of Health and Human Services). 4. Applicant must apply at Vocational Rehabilitation, if applicable. 5. If not currently working, must actively seek employment by filling out at least two (2) applications a week. One-Time Assistance Program. An eligible applicant may receive assistance once within a 12 month period with the amount of assistance not to exceed $350 for a single-person or $450.00 for a multipleperson household. 1. Applicant must comply with General Eligibility criteria (see Section V). 2. Household income: Applicant’s household must have a net income at or below the 100% Federal Poverty Guideline (updated annually by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services). 3. If physically or mentally unable to work due to a temporary illness (not lasting longer than one month), the applicant will be required to have the General Assistance Medical Report Form completed by his/her Physician.
Needs Addressed and Benefit Levels:
Rent
BENEFIT LEVEL: $350 month for single-member household; $450 per month for multiple-member household Rent payment shall only be paid to property owner or their designee. An individual who resides in property which is exempt from real estate taxation may not be eligible for rental assistance. Rent shall not be paid to responsible relatives. Rent Assistance will not be used to supplement Section 8 Housing Assistance.
Johnson County General Assistance Guidelines
Adopted by the Board of Supervisors on June 11, 2007
Quick Reference Guide
Page 3
Utilities
BENEFIT LEVEL: Not to exceed $150 Utility payments may include fuel for purpose of heating and cooking; electricity for heating, cooking and lights; and water. Utility services must be in danger of disconnection. Documentation shall include a disconnection notice or verification of a Deferred Payment Agreement which allows disconnection immediately if monthly payment is not received. Applicant shall verify that this assistance, along with any other resources applicant may provide, will ensure ongoing utility services. Assistance shall not be provided if the assistance, along with any other resources of the eligible applying household, is insufficient to avoid disconnection. Utility bills must be in the name of the applicant or another adult member of the household or family unit. If the expense of utilities is being shared, the utility amount will be prorated. Applicants must be able to show they have made payments on their bill.
Provisions - This is defined as food and non-food.
BENEFIT LEVEL: Food order determined by Food Assistance guidelines $35/month for non-food items Food orders will not be used to supplement Food Assistance. Non-covered items include, but are not limited to: cigarettes, alcoholic beverages, bottle or can deposits, pet food. Non-food orders cover soap, paper products, household cleaning supplies, personal hygiene items. Non-food orders will not exceed $35/month. The food order is determined by amount a household of this size would receive in Food Assistance and then prorated for the period of time until Food Assistance is received.
Medical
Eye exam, frame repair, and glasses when recommended by a physician and assistance is not available through the Free Medical Clinic. Prescription or non-prescription items when recommended by a physician and no other sources of payment are available. Payment of medical supplies such as hearing aids, special shoes, etc. when these items are not available through other resources. One month nursing care paid with stipulation that the nursing home reimburses Johnson County General Assistance when Title XIX begins payment.
Johnson County General Assistance Guidelines
Adopted by the Board of Supervisors on June 11, 2007
Quick Reference Guide
Page 4
How to apply:
Persons who are in need of financial assistance should call 356-6050 and ask to speak to a General Assistance Assistant. An initial assessment will be done over the phone and an in-person office visit will be scheduled as eligibility is indicated. Office Hours: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday Office Location: 911 N. Governor Street, Iowa City General Assistance Staff: Amy Correia, Social Services Coordinator Sue Campney, GA Assistant Erin Good, GA Assistant