General Relief provides assistance to individuals and families in Clay County who need help with:

• Rent
• Utility
• Burial

The program is designed to provide short-term emergency assistance to persons who are experiencing a financial crisis and are unable to be supported by their own means, relatives, or other public and private sources and cannot obtain assistance from any other source.

It is not intended to provide on-going, long term aid to any individual or family. Must meet current income and resource guidelines to be eligible for assistance.

VERIFICATION YOU NEED TO PROVIDE FOR ALL HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS

 Application – you must complete all blanks.
 Identification – Valid State of Iowa ID with current Clay County address.
 Current bank statement(s) for all checking and savings accounts and/or debit card statement for all household members.

 Job Search Verification Form (if not employed or employed less than 30 hours per week). 

 If unable to work, please provide a note from your doctor stating the reason why.

 Landlords Statement and/or Utility Bill (and past due, eviction or disconnection notice if received).  

 Proof of all income for the last three (3) months for all household members:

 Paystubs 
 Proof of Unemployment Compensation benefits.
 Self-employment records for at least three (3) months & previous year tax return.
 Personal Income Record if income is from baby-sitting, mowing, shoveling, handyman repair, mechanical repair, collecting scrap metal, odd jobs, etc.
 Social Security Explanation of Benefits
 Any other source of income.

 Notice of Decision from Dept of Human Services for entire household

(FIP, Title 19, Food Stamps) showing benefits or denial of benefits or appointment letter if no decision has been made to date.

 SSI or Social Security verification showing monthly benefits, or “Receipt Letter” showing when you applied and/or denial letter for all household members.