
Iowa Resources
To find out about key benefits and services in Iowa and how to apply, select from the topics below.
Key State Contacts
- State Refugee Health Coordinator
Christine Ross
Call (515)423-3794
- State Refugee Health Assessment Coordinator
Jill Schacherer
Call (515)322-0037
- State Refugee Coordinator
San Wong (Interim SRC)
Local Resettlement Offices
State-based PSOs
Call (203)562-2095
Call 1.800.297.1516
Cash & Food Assistance
Cash assistance available to residents who enters the US under humanitarian protection with low incomes
Contact the Bureau of Refugee Services at 515-344-3675
Federal nutrition plan
Cash assistance designed to help low-income families achieve self-sufficiency
A program offering supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition information to low-income women who are pregnant or have children aged birth to five
A federal program supporting participants to attain self-sufficiency within 240 days (8 months) of arrival in the United States through financial, case management and employment supports
A program that provides monthly payments to adults and children with a disability or blindness who have income and resources below specific financial limits. SSI payments are also made to people age 65 and older without disabilities who meet the financial qualifications.
Refugee & Newcomer Health
The domestic medical screening is a comprehensive medical examination that screens for a wide range of infectious diseases and non-communicable conditions.
Federally funded nonprofit health centers or clinics that serve medically underserved areas and populations. Federally qualified health centers provide primary care services regardless of your ability to pay
Accessing Healthcare
To apply for Iowa Medicaid health coverage, please visit the HHS Benefits Portal or fill out a paper application form and turn it into your local HHS office
Eligibility Refugees who qualify for Medicare and need coverage while their applications are processed (2-3 months), refugees who have Medicaid/IHAWP and lose coverage within eight months of their arrival due to their income exceeding requirements RMA coverage ends eight months after arrival to the country. The first month of coverage begins regardless of if a refugee arrives on the first or last day of that month, and coverage will continue for seven additional months after month one
Persons with Disabilities
The Office of Deaf Services provides a key link to services that help deaf and hard of hearing people succeed, including health, education, employment and justice
Iowa Department for the Blind
Empowering blind Iowans to be gainfully employed and live independently.
Seniors
Medicare is health insurance for people 65 or older. You’re first eligible to sign up for Medicare 3 months before you turn 65
Call (1-800-633-4227)
Empowering blind Iowans to be gainfully employed
and live independently. HHS provides support and services to Iowans aged 60 years and older
We also help people in this age group with more specific social and economic needs
We work to empower older adults to maintain their independence.
We advocate on behalf of older Iowans to ensure their rights, safety, and well-being
Aging and senior care services serve Iowans aged 60 years and older
We also help people with more specific social and economic needs
Call (515) 725-3333
The Social Security program in the United States provides protection against the loss of earnings due to retirement, death, or disability
Children's Health
Early intervention services for infants and toddlers at risk for developmental delays
The University of Iowa is dedicated to providing high quality mental health services and resources to students, faculty, staff, their families, and the community
“CYSHCN are children who have or are at increased risk for chronic physical, developmental, behavioral, or emotional conditions. They also require health and related services of a type or amount beyond that required by children generally.” source: HRSA Maternal and Child Health Programs and Information for children with special needs
Orchard Place now helps many of the state’s most vulnerable children, striving to help them develop strong, promising futures. Through our three branches of service, we contribute to the community’s well-being by serving the mental health, substance use, behavioral support and educational needs of these youth
Dental Health
The University of Iowa academic health campus, dental clinics have more than 170,000 patients visits per year. The college also has 26 community programs focused on children, patients with special needs, and seniors, including an award-winning Geriatrics Mobile Dental Unit. Our dental clinics are an essential resource to the state helping people and communities meet their dental care needs
Finding Housing
Call 515-284-4663
Assistance with Housing Costs
- Emergency Assistance
Call 515-281-4893
Helping residents maintain housing stability
CALL 211 (24/7) To speak to speak to Community Resource Specialist
Housing Counseling
HUD sponsors housing counseling agencies throughout the country to provide free or low-cost advice
Call (800) 569-4287
Renter Rights
Homelessness Prevention and Assistance
Assists you in finding homelessness resources nearest you
Call 1-833-739-0065
Orientation
Community Orientation Providers
Address: 3116 University Ave. Des Moines IA 50311
Call (515) 271-7411
Address: 1308 Cleveland St. Sioux city IA 51106
Call (712) 255-2505
Address: 1200 University Ave #205
Call (515) 528-7525
Address; 108 3rd St. Suite 200 Des Moine, IA 50309
Call (515) 216 – 3619
Address: 250 E Court St Iowa City, IA, 52240
Address: 601 Grand Ave Des Moines IA, 50309
Call (515) 244 – 3761
Address: 1220 5th Ave SE, Cedar Rapids IA, 52403
Call (319) 363 – 4993
Address: 900 Jennings St. Sioux City IA 51105
Call (712) 258- 5137
Address: Council Bluffs, IA, 51503
Call (712) 242 – 1040
Address: 210 Emerson Place Suite 300 Devenport IA 52801
Address: 904 W 4th Street Waterloo, IA 50702
Call (316) 233-3579
Call the Resettlement Agencies above close to your residence
Employment Services through the Resettlement Network
The Matching Grant program helps refugees and other ORR-eligible populations overcome barriers and quickly find jobs. The intent is for refugees to become economically self-sufficient through employment within 240 days and without accessing cash assistance programs
Other employment services
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) is designed to help job seekers access employment, education, training, and support services to succeed in the labor market and to match employers with the skilled workers they need to compete in the global economy
The high school equivalency test gives students who left high school before graduating an opportunity to earn a High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED)
- Hawkeye Community College
Integrated Education and Training (IET) Programs
Our Integrated Education and Training (IET) programs are aimed to provide workplace skills and adult basic education to English Language Learners and High School Completion students, so they can qualify for promotions or jobs in a high-demand industry
Looking for a rewarding career, but in need of additional training?
DMACC’s Workforce Training Academy (WTA) can help.
Classes and materials are FREE to qualified applicants
For job seekers, becoming a Registered Apprentice means you’re on the path to a rewarding career where you’ll earn a paycheck from day one – your chance to earn and learn. For businesses, starting a Registered Apprenticeship Program means you’ll build a talented workforce equipped with the skills that specifically fit your company
Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services (IVRS) is an employment program for individuals who experience a disability
IWD has a number of programs, initiatives, and grants designed to remove barriers and provide Iowans with the right path for their employment destination
IowaWORKS is the first step toward your next career.
Locate your nearest office and talk to our career planners today
In partnership with Iowa Workforce Development, BRS partners with refugee communities, employers, community colleges, nonprofits and state and local agencies to create inclusive and sustainable career paths to help refugees become self-sufficient and work toward a high quality of life that fits with their goals and values
United Ways of Iowa is a membership association of local United Ways serving the state of Iowa. Our efforts focus on supporting the outstanding work of local United Ways across the state, and working as a network to further build upon our collective impact in Iowa
Documentation
Information and resources about obtaining a driver’s license or state ID
Call (515-224-8725)
Provide Social Security Numbers and administer retirement, disability, survivor, and family benefits, and enroll individuals in Medicare
Call 1-866-968-7842
Language
Begin learning English right away for FREE. Improve your English to get a job or a better job. Communicate better in English in your everyday life. Improve your English and later enroll in Credit ELL, HiSET, or a certificate program
- Iowa Central English Language Learners
- Kirkwood Community College ESL Program
- University of Iowa ESL Program
Providing students whose first language is not English with high quality language instruction, as well as a cultural, social, and academic orientation to the United States
Childcare
Iowa Childcare Resource & Referral provides resources, education and advocacy to support quality childcare. CCR&R is committed to ensure that Iowa’s vision is met
Early Childhood Education
Head Start is the nation’s premier provider of developmental and educational services to pregnant moms, babies, toddlers, preschoolers and their families, who live in poverty and struggle to meet the basic needs of life
K-12 Education
Adult Education
The high school equivalency test gives students who left high school before graduating an opportunity to earn a High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED)
Immigration Services through Resettlement Offices
Affordable, family-based immigration legal services for immigrants and refugees residing in the 30 most Northeast counties in Iowa
Call (1-800-772-2752)
Administers the country’s naturalization and immigration system
Other Legal Services available outside of the Resettlement Network
Iowa Legal Aid is a nonprofit organization providing critical legal assistance to low-income and vulnerable Iowans who have nowhere else to turn.
Along with volunteer lawyers throughout the state, Iowa Legal Aid helps the legal system work for those who cannot afford help with legal issues
A statewide membership-based legal service and advocacy organization. Driven and lead by immigrant and refugee voices, and united with allies
University of Iowa College of Law-Immigration Clinical Program Areas of immigration legal assistance: Adjustment of Status, Asylum applications Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) petitions. Types of legal services provided: Help completing forms, Filings with USCIS, Representation at Asylum Interviews (Credible Fear Interviews, Reasonable Fear Interviews), Representation before the Immigration Court
Call (319-335-9023)
The Refugee Clinic is currently not accepting new clients. For more information about legal representation by the Refugee Clinic in the future, please contact the Refugee Clinic at law-refugee@drake.edu
Provides and facilitates immigration legal services to Afghans in Iowa
Welcome Corps
- Fraud
To report cases of fraud (for example, individuals asking for money in exchange for becoming a private sponsor or to assist in submitting an application
Employment
State agency that oversees employment safety in Iowa
Public Safety
Oversees Public Safety for the State of Iowa
Violence and Human Trafficking and Exploitation
The Iowa Attorney General provides services to victims of crimes
State of Iowa’s office dedicated to understanding, identifying, and reporting human trafficking
Adult and Child Abuse
Child Protective Services
Directory of resources for victims of domestic violence
Adult Protective Services
Mental Health
Crisis Services for Mental Health and Disability Services
Local Resource Search
The resources in this map are collected via desk research and submissions from agency contacts and community sponsors. While we work to ensure the information provided is up-to-date and accurate, please use the buttons below to submit a new service connection or request an edit to an existing entry.
This local resource map was developed with funding from Switchboard.