URIDA lists 56 programs for people in Iowa: 47 from government agencies, 9 from nonprofits, foundations, utilities and other private groups. Each one was checked against its official page. Some serve only part of the state, and dates and rules change, so look on the official page before you apply.
URIDA is not a government agency. Each program's operator takes applications and decides eligibility.
Rules and ways to apply show what the official pages name, and there can be others. Words in quotation marks are copied from the official page. FPL means the federal poverty level.
Aging Resources of Central Iowa Home-Delivered Meals
Run by Aging Resources of Central Iowa (Area Agency on Aging)
Who it is for
Central Iowa: Boone, Dallas, Jasper, Madison, Marion, Polk, Story and Warren counties. For older individuals, particularly those in greatest economic and social need, who are homebound by illness or incapacitating disability or otherwise isolated.
Run by Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (Iowa HHS)
Who it is for
To be eligible you must self-attest that the household lives in Iowa, and the household is at or below 185% of the federal poverty level, or the household receives SNAP and/or Free and Reduced Lunch.
Black Hawk County General Assistance Program - Shelter (rent) assistance
Run by Black Hawk County General Assistance (Black Hawk County, Iowa)
Who it is for
Black Hawk County, Iowa: applicants must be a resident of Black Hawk County and a Citizen of the United States. Honorably discharged Veterans and their families apply through the Veteran Affairs Office instead. Income guideline: 100% of the federal poverty guidelines (benchmark only).
Central Iowa Shelter & Services (CISS) Emergency Shelter
Run by Central Iowa Shelter & Services (CISS)
Who it is for
Des Moines, Iowa: men and women aged 18 and older experiencing homelessness (the mission statement says adults and families experiencing homelessness).
FirstHome Down Payment and Closing Costs Assistance (Iowa Finance Authority 2nd Loan Program)
Run by Iowa Finance Authority (IFA)
Who it is for
Iowa first-time homebuyers (no primary residence owned in the last three years), eligible military members, or buyers in a Targeted Area; household income limit $102,100 to $171,360 by county and size; purchase limit $566,000 (up to $692,000 targeted); minimum 640 credit score.
Housing & Homelessness Transition (PATH - Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness)
Run by Iowa HHS (Behavioral Health Division)
Who it is for
Waterloo, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Iowa City and Dubuque, Iowa (provider agencies), plus a statewide Iowa HHS State PATH contact. For adults who are homeless and live with mental illness, substance abuse and trauma.
Rent ReimbursementIowa HHS Rent Reimbursement Unit; checked November 11, 2026
Utilities and energy (3)
Des Moines Water Works PROJECT H2O (Help To Others) and payment arrangements
Run by Des Moines Water Works
Who it is for
Des Moines, Iowa area: low-income households in Des Moines Water Works' direct service areas (e.g. Des Moines, Alleman, Berwick, Cumming, Pleasant Hill, Polk County, Polk County Rural Water District #1, Runnells, Warren County and Windsor Heights).
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Run by Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (Iowa HHS)
Who it is for
Iowa owner-occupied and renter-occupied households with household income at or below 200% of the 2026 federal poverty guidelines (October 1, 2026 - September 30, 2027; for example household size 1: $31,920), an energy burden, and verified citizenship status for all household members.
Weatherization Assistance ProgramIowa Department of Health and Human Services (Iowa HHS) Community Action Agencies Unit; checked November 11, 2026
Health care (9)
Healthy and Well Kids in Iowa (Hawki)
Run by Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (Iowa HHS)
Who it is for
Iowa children under the age of 19 in working families who have too much income for Medicaid, cannot afford private health and/or dental insurance, and are not enrolled in other health or dental insurance; the child must meet income, citizenship or immigration, and insurance requirements.
Run by Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Who it is for
Iowa residents who are U.S. citizens or qualified aliens in listed groups, e.g. a child under 21, a parent living with a child under 18, a pregnant woman, a person 65 or older, a disabled person, or an adult 19-64 at or below 133% of the FPL; non-qualified aliens: emergency services only.
Medicaid for Former Foster Care Youth (MIYA and E-MIYA)
Run by Iowa Medicaid (Iowa Department of Health and Human Services)
Who it is for
Iowa young adults who aged out of foster care. MIYA: in state foster care at 18, left on or after May 2006, age 18 to under 21, income under 254% FPL. E-MIYA: ages 18 to 26, not eligible for other Medicaid, in state foster care at 18 and on Iowa Medicaid then; no financial test.
Child Support Services helps people who receive public assistance (such as FIP, foster care services, and in some situations Medicaid), received it in the past, apply for services, or live in other states but need services because the other parent lives or works in Iowa.
Victims physically or emotionally injured in a violent crime in Iowa; certain family and household members; survivors of a homicide victim; Iowans injured by a violent crime in a state or nation without a federally approved program. "regardless of income or resources"
Run by Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (Iowa HHS)
Who it is for
Iowa residents who are aged, blind, or disabled by Social Security standards, receive SSI or would except for excess income, have resources of $2,000 or below (single) or $3,000 or below (married couple living together), and income under the SSA group limit.
Run by Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Who it is for
Residents of Iowa with a child under 13 (or under 19 with special needs) who are in a regardless-of-income group (for example a FIP household or foster family) or have income under the program's limits and work an average of 32 hours per week, attend approved training, or are looking for work.
Adult program: 18 or older, a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or lawfully admitted alien/refugee, and registered with Selective Service if applicable. Dislocated Worker program: people laid off through no fault of their own and other listed dislocated-worker categories.
Run by Iowa Department of Education, State Financial Aid Programs Team
Who it is for
Iowa residents in undergraduate enrollment in an associate or bachelor degree at an eligible Iowa private college or university, with a calculated and eligible Student Aid Index (SAI). For reference, the 2026-2027 SAI range was (-1,500) - 16,000.
Account owner can be just about anybody (parents, grandparents, other relatives and friends); the beneficiary can be a child, grandchild, friend or the account owner. Iowa taxpayers could receive a state tax deduction for contributions.
Iowans living in nursing facilities, assisted living programs, residential care facilities, and elder group homes; also Medicaid managed care members who live in a long-term care facility or receive services through an HCBS waiver.
"We serve all ages in all areas of Iowa. This includes aging Iowans and those Iowans with disabilities and special needs." Any individual experiencing a need or their support team can reach out.
A person with a disability that was present before age 46 who also is eligible for SSI or SSDI, has a diagnosis from a physician, or has a disability on the SSA's Compassionate Allowances Conditions List. Any Iowa taxpayer can deduct contributions on state income tax.
Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice (Iowa MMJ) Legal Services
Run by Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice
Who it is for
Immigrants and families across Iowa ("throughout the state"). It does not handle employment-based immigration or legal services outside immigration law.
Refugee Services (Iowa Bureau of Refugee Services)
Run by Iowa Bureau of Refugee Services (BRS)
Who it is for
Refugees resettled in Iowa. Refugee Cash Assistance is for refugees not eligible for the Family Investment Program; Refugee Medical Assistance is for refugees and other ORR-eligible populations for up to twelve months from arrival, if they meet the income guidelines.
Polk County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project (PCBA VLP)
Who it is for
Polk County, Iowa: low-income residents of Polk County and/or cases venued in Polk County. It does not assist with criminal cases or cases that potentially could result in a financial settlement such as personal injury.
Homestead Tax Exemption (including the additional exemption for claimants 65 or older)
Run by Iowa Department of Revenue
Who it is for
Iowa homeowners who occupy the homestead and declare Iowa residency for income taxation. "Claimants aged 65 years or older are eligible for an additional exemption of 6,500 of taxable value" (65 or older on or before January 1 of the year of application).
Iowa taxpayers who qualify for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit; nonresidents and part-year residents adjust the credit by their Iowa income percentage (IA 126, line 29).
DART Reduced-Fare Options (Half Fare and Ride to Thrive)
Who it is for
Des Moines metro, Iowa (DART service area): children 6-10, Polk County middle and high school students, adults 65 and older, people with a disability, refugees, and people who get food, housing or workforce assistance (Ride to Thrive).
Persons with Disabilities Parking Permit (placard, sticker, plates)
Run by Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT), Vehicle Services
Who it is for
Any Iowa resident with a disability that limits or impairs the person's ability to walk, under the listed circumstances (for example cannot walk 200 feet without stopping to rest, or uses portable oxygen).
Targeted Small Business (TSB) Program certification
Run by Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA)
Who it is for
Businesses located in Iowa, operating for a profit, with less than $4 million in gross income (average of the preceding three fiscal years), majority owned (51% or more), operated and managed by a female, individual with minority status, service-disabled veteran or individual with a disability.
Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program (IIAGP) and Disaster Case Advocacy (DCA)
Run by Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM)
Who it is for
Households whose main home is in a county with an active Governor's disaster proclamation; everyone in the household a U.S. citizen or legally residing. IIAGP: annual income at 200% or less of the federal poverty level. DCA: no income limits.