“Effective July 1, 2007, the Fayette County Board of
Supervisors contracted with Northeast Iowa Community Action
Corporation (NEICAC) to administer Fayette County’s General
Relief Program.
NEICAC’s Director of Community Outreach and
Development, David Boss, has been designated as the Fayette
County General Relief Director. He has subsequently
designated the two Fayette County Family Service Specialists,
housed in NEICAC’s Family Service offices in Oelwein and
West Union, as Assistant Directors.
These two Family Service Specialists staff the Oelwein
office from 8-12 on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings.
The West Union office, located in the basement of the
courthouse, is staffed from 8–12 on Monday and Wednesday
mornings.
All applications for county assistance through the Fayette
County General Relief Program must be submitted via one of
these two Specialists in one of these offices. The telephone
number in Oelwein is (319) 283-2510 and in West Union (563)
422-3354.”
FAYETTE COUNTY GENERAL RELIEF POLICY
The General Relief Program is designed to provide emergency short term
assistance to persons lacking the resources to meet their basic needs for food,
shelter, fuel, utilities, clothing, medical, dental, hospital care and burial, residing
in Fayette County. However, applicants must be legal citizens of the United
States. Must have Legal Settlement in Fayette County. A part of the General
Relief Program is to provide casework service to the family in need of such
service for whatever period of time necessary.
All persons applying for aid shall be treated equally. Factors of race, creed,
national background, character, past or present behavior, shall not be
considered in determining a person’s right or eligibility to receive General Relief.
Persons coming to Fayette County for employment and who are not successful
in securing same, may make application for travel to return to the county or
State they came from.
Applicants applying for General Relief who appear eligible to receive assistance
through the Public Assistance Categorical Programs are asked to make formal
application at their earliest convenience. Also, applicants who seemingly might
be eligible for unemployment compensation are asked to make application for it.
All able bodied applicants will be required to register with the Workforce Center
and take suitable employment.
All income within the household will be considered as being applicable towards
the purchase of the necessities of life. Income shall mean wages, workman’s
compensation, insurance payments, pensions, social security, interest, sick pay,
inheritance, income tax refunds, HUD, Food Stamps, and other similar revenue
sources.
Rent will be allowed not to exceed $200.00 per month. Mortgage payments
cannot be made. Interest for current month can be paid. Payments will not be
made to family members. Electric bills will be allowed not to exceed $50.00 per
month. Fuel will be allowed not to exceed $200.00 per month. Water bills will be
allowed not to exceed $40.00 per month. Utilities or rent deposits cannot be
allowed. These amounts are subject to yearly review. Car fuel will be allowed
up to $15.00 for medical appointments or emergencies only.
Allowance for medical aid shall be on the basis of actual need as prescribed by
the patient’s doctor. Income guidelines for the University Hospitals is 100% of
poverty, and assets up to $2,000.00. Prescriptions will be allowed as
prescribed. Prescriptions will be allowed for a period up to three months. The
General Relief Program does not pay for prescriptions, doctors or hospitals for
those in institutions – Prairie View, jail and Nursing Homes. Applications for
University Hospitals are made through the CPC office. Hospital patients must
take application for admission to University Hospitals prior to appointment.
Emergencies must be reported within 24 hours. Orthopedic, Obstetrical and all
patients must apply for and be denied assistance from the Department of
Human Services, before State Papers or County Papers can be issued. Eligible
Veterans seeking medical or hospitalization must be referred to the nearest VA
Hospital. Those self employed or those who do not take company health
insurance, must pay the first $1,000. Allowance for Dental is 1 time for
extraction only.
Burial allowance will be up to $1,500 regular burial, plus $350 opening and
closing, Cremation burial up to $1,000, burial of a baby up to $500. If an
individual or their family sign a pre-paid burial contract, they are not eligible for a
County burial.
Illegal aliens (those without a card) must be referred to PROTEUS in Mason City.
Persons requesting abortions or tubal libations are referred to Family Planning.
County Relief does not pay for those unless it is a medical necessity.
Applicants for General Relief are required to apply, complete the application
process and accept benefits from other available sources before making
application to the General Relief Office. If an applicant does not complete the
application process or fails to cooperate with another resource, the applicant will
not be eligible for benefits from General Relief. Applicants who make
incorrect/untrue statements or false claims, will not be eligible for General Relief.
Any transfer of real or personal property within the last two (2) years which was
made for the purpose of qualifying for aid, renders the applicant ineligible.
INCOME GUIDELINES:
Family Size Gross Income Per Month
100% Poverty Guidelines 2007
1 $ 850
2 $1,141
3 $1,430
4 $1,720
5 $2,010
6 $2,300
7 $2,590
8 $2,880
Resources:
1 One licensed vehicle for each working household member
Maximum equity value of $3,000 per vehicle
2 Homestead – maximum $30,000 assessed value
Income guidelines for admission to University Hospitals are 100% of poverty and
assets up to $2,000.
