Basic Needs

Sleep in Heavenly Peace: Free Twin Size Beds

·       To qualify as a bed recipient, you must be the legal guardian of the child or children ages 3-17 years old receiving the bed. Please submit the online SHP Application Form mentioned above.

·   https://shpbeds.org/apply/

North Cedar School Resource Closet 

• Free clothing and hygiene items for North Cedar students and families

• Contact Ms. Emily for more info esmith@north-cedarstu.org 

Gods Closet Olin; Location: Olin United Methodist Church

·   Free “closet”, has furniture, household goods, clothing, everything is FREE

·   Contact: (319) 484-2137 

Tadan’s Touch Apparel and Accessories

·      Free apparel and accessory store for anyone in the community.

·      46 Spruce St. Ste 1 Tipton, Iowa

·      504 Maurer St. Wilton, IA

·      563-349-0838

ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS:

Info on how to apply for the following assistance programs: https://hhs.iowa.gov/apply-services 

• Rent Reimbursement 

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

• Family Investment Program (FIP)

• Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA)

• Woman, Infants and Children (WIC)

• Child Care 

• State Supplementary Assistance 

• Family Planning Program (FPP)

• Child Support Services 

• Estate Recovery 

• Weatherization

• Low-Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP)

Cedar County General Assistance Cedar County Community Services

What is General Assistance?

Cedar County General Assistance shall be provided to residents of this county as

mandated by the Code of Iowa, Section 252.25. The purpose and policy of such

provisions of relief where appropriate, is to direct the applicant in removing barriers to

self-sufficiency and economic self-support to prevent, reduce, or eliminate dependency.

Who Qualifies for General Assistance?

Cedar County General Assistance provides emergency payments and / or vouchers to

needy and poor people in need of immediate assistance or people who cannot obtain

assistance from any other source. Assistance may be provided to an individual that has

income or benefits delayed from a state/federal program or not actually received

because of reasons not attributable to the person, and who does not have liquid assets

of the family unit to pay for the items of assistance that can be provided.

To qualify a person must:

• Be a resident of Cedar County

• Be at least 18 years of age

• Meet current income and resource guidelines

• A veteran who served during designated war time years with an honorable

discharge must apply at Cedar County Veteran's Affairs.

Types of Assistance Available

There are three kinds of assistance in Cedar County:

• Emergency assistance for needy persons

• Assistance for poor persons

• Assistance for an extended nature

How to Apply

Appointments are requested.

• The office manages several other functions within the County, therefore is

sometimes unavailable.

• Please Call (563) 886-1726 to request an application be mailed to you.

• When you come to the appointment bring the requested required documents.

• Please be advised funding may not always be available due to County budget

constraints.

https://cedarcounty.iowa.gov/files/general_assistance_application_63391.pdf

Temporary Assistance to Needy Families

FIP is Iowa's Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program and 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.

Request One time a year emergency funding from local churches:

Tipton Ministerial Fund

First United Church of Christ in Tipton   

Kerri Sandusky:  Pastor pastor@firstucctipton.org

Office:  563-886-6361  

Church Office Administrator: office@firstucctipton.org 

St. John’s UCC Clarence

Good Neighbor Fund

email: sjucc@netins.net 

(563)452-3022

RED CROSS

Disaster Services (24-Hour Help Line: (855) 891-7325)

Around the clock, every day of the year, the Iowa Region stands ready to respond to emergencies like fires, floods and severe storms. At every disaster, we assess the victims' needs and ensure that they have food, clothing, shelter and other services to help families take the first steps to recovery.

Eastern Iowa Chapter

2400 Asbury Road, Dubuque, IA 52001

Phone: 1-563-583-6451

The American Red Cross of Eastern Iowa serves communities across Appanoose, Benton, Black Hawk, Buchanan, Cedar, Clayton, Clinton, Davis, Delaware, Des Moines, Dubuque, Henry, Iowa, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Jones, Keokuk, Linn, Louisa, Lucas, Mahaska, Marion, Monroe, Wapello, Washington and Wayne in Iowa; Crawford, Grant and Lafayette in Wisconsin; and Jo Davies in Illinois.

Cedar Rapids Office

317 7th Ave, SE, Suite 205, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401

Phone: 319-393-3500

Salvation Army:

Davenport, IA Corps Community Center

100 Kirkwood Blvd, DAVENPORT

563-324-4808

Muscatine, IA Corps Community Center

1000 Oregon Street, MUSCATINE

563-263-8272

Iowa City, IA Corps Community Center

1116 Gilbert Court, IOWA CITY

(319) 337-3725

Community Action Eastern Iowa

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

You can apply beginning October 1st for regular assistance (no disconnection notice needed) if your household meets one of the following criteria:

1. You or someone living with you is age sixty or over, 

2. or You or someone living with you has a disability, or

3. The power company disconnected you, or you have a disconnection notice for your heating, electricity, water, or sewer service, or

4. You use propane and your tank is at or below 30% full.

5. Have a furnace that is not working properly.

All other households can apply beginning November 1st. The last day to apply for the winter heating season is April 30th.

You may get help to pay 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 to be eligible for benefits through the LIHEAP program, you will receive protection from being disconnected from your heating and electrical service (but not your water or sewer 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.

Please gather the required documents for your application before applying

• “Help Paying Bills” Info

Help with mortgage:

The Iowa Homeowner Assistance Fund program from Iowa Finance Authority is a resource for mortgage assistance for Iowa homeowners. To apply you must be living in the home as your primary residence and have a documented financial impact caused by COVID.

Housing Choice Voucher Program

The Housing Choice Voucher Program (also known as Section 8) helps low-income families, elderly persons, veterans and disabled individuals afford housing in the private market. Program participants can choose any eligible housing unit, including single-family homes, townhouses, and apartments, with rent partially covered by a subsidy paid directly to the landlord. There are around 2,000 Local Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) across the country that administer the HCV program with funding from HUD.

Four Oaks Supported Housing: 

Supportive Housing Services helps low- to moderate-income individuals in Linn County on the path to housing stability. The proven strategy combines affordable housing with intensive services to maintain housing.

MCSA Homeless Prevention Program

Work with Housing Stability Navigators

How to start: Call 833-739-0065 or visit MCSA during business hours.

​A staff member will complete a short intake with you (takes about 10–15 minutes)

We’ll submit your intake the same day so a housing partner can follow up.

What to expect:

A housing provider will reach out within 3–5 business days.

If you don’t hear back, call us and we’ll help follow up.

You do not need to bring documents to start. Share only what you’re comfortable sharing.

If you’re unsafe or in crisis

Immediate danger: call 911.

Mental health crisis: call/text 988.

Domestic violence: if it’s safer, call from a private phone or visit in person. You can also call our 24 hour Crisis Line at 563-263-8080.

Privacy & respect

You can skip questions you’re not comfortable answering—you’ll still get help. Interpreters and accessibility accommodations are available. Questions? Call 563-264-3278

Affordable Housing Network

Available Housing: The Affordable Housing Network, Inc. (AHNI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization affiliated with Four Oaks, one of the largest providers of human services in the state of Iowa. AHNI is dedicated to providing affordable housing in our community, offering a wide variety of housing options and locations to call home in the Cedar Rapids area. We strive to develop healthy and vibrant housing communities by connecting our residents with services that meet the needs of a diverse population, including families with children, seniors, and people with disabilities.

• The Oasis-  https://fwwoc.org/the-oasis/

  • The Oasis offers free clothing, furniture and household goods to families in need. The Oasis is located at 1925 13th Street in East Moline, Illinois.

• Humble Dwellings- https://www.humbledwellingsqc.org/

  • Humble Dwellings' mission is to serve people in need in our community by transforming their living spaces into a warm and inviting home using gently-used furniture and household items.

• Habitat Restore- https://www.habitatqc.org/restore.html

  • Your go-to spot for new and gently used home and building materials, furniture, appliances, and home medical equipment in the Quad Cities. From antiques and cabinets to plumbing, lighting, furniture, and tools, we’ve got it all at great prices! 

• Humility Homes- https://www.humilityhomes.org/community-support

  • The Corner Closet Donation Center, located at 525 Fillmore St, Davenport, is open from Monday to Thursday, between 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM. This center serves HHSI's shelter and housing participants in need of clothing and household essential items. 

• Goodwill- https://www.goodwillheartland.org/

Renters:

In Iowa landlords are generally responsible for dealing with pest control and bug infestations. Extermination should be taken care of/ paid for by the landlord. You can contact Iowa legal aid for help if your landlord is refusing to pay.  Iowa Legal Aid

• EPA “Do it Yourself” Bed Bug Control information

• Healthy Homes information - information on: pest control, mold, lead, asbestos and hoarding 

• Lice: Information about lice from the CDC.

• Cockroaches: Learn about the five cockroach species in Iowa and the management and chemical treatment possibilities.

Questions about financial support for treating bug infestations?

Contact Ms. Emily School Resource Navigator