General Assistance is one-time assistance for:
- Rent
- Utilities
- Direct cremation costs
View eligibility guidelines below.
General Assistance
If you or your client meet the guidelines, call to make an appointment.
Henry County Public Health
319-385-0779
Monday-Friday 8am-4pm, excluding holidays
Who is Eligible?
- Applicant must be a resident of Henry County.
- Applicant has not received assistance from Henry County General Assistance or any county General Assistance program in the last 12 months.
- Applicant does not exceed net income guidelines (50% of current Federal poverty guidelines). See chart. Food assistance, alimony, child support and unemployment benefits all count as income.
- Applicant has applied and is awaiting approval or denial of benefits from FIP, SSI, or SSDI.
- Direct cremation costs may be paid to funeral home when deceased person would have met eligibility requirements in the month of death.
Who is NOT Eligible?
- Applicant has past due rent
- Applicant has past due utilities
- Applicant is applying for first month’s rent or deposit
- Applicant has voluntarily quit a job or been fired in the past 90 days
2026 Income Guidelines
| Household Size | Maximum Net Income |
| 1 | $665 |
| 2 | $902 |
| 3 | $1,138 |
| 4 | $1,375 |
| 5 | $1,612 |
| 6 | $1,848 |
| 7 | $2,085 |
| 8 | $2,322 |
| Additional Person | $229 |
Verifications needed for all household members:
- Completed application for the household
- Identification
- Proof of all household members’ income for the last 30 days
- Bank statements for all accounts
- Proof of SNAP benefits or application
- Landlord statement
- Job searches
- Proof of registration with IowaWorks or other online job platform
- If you report being unable to work, a written statement from a doctor, physician assistant or advanced registered nurse practitioner
- Current bills you are requesting assistance for; this program does not cover deposits or first month’s rent