General Assistance

Purpose

The purpose of the Mitchell County General Assistance Office is to provide assistance to a needy or poor person who is in need of immediate assistance not obtainable from any other source, who has income or benefits delayed from a state program or not actually received because of reasons not attributable to the person, and who does not have liquid assets of the family unit from which to pay for the items of assistance that can be provided. 

How to Apply

If one wishes to apply for assistance, one needs to make a scheduled appointment. This can be done by calling 641-832-3500 and scheduling an appointment for whatever assistance is requested. If one is in an emergency, you should make that clear when calling.

The Mitchell County Board of Supervisors may assign any or all functions of the policy to a non-profit agency that does not conflict with any obligation placed on the county by Federal or State statute.

Emergency Situation

An emergency situation to our office is one in which a person’s utilities have been or are going to be disconnected, a person is being evicted from their home, food is needed or an application for a county burial is needed.

The Mitchell County General Assistance Program is designed to provide short-term emergency type assistance to persons lacking the resources to meet their basic needs for energy, shelter, food and medical care. It is not intended to provide ongoing, long-term aid to any individual and/or family.

Eligibility

To be eligible for assistance the applicant must be a resident of Mitchell County and a Citizen of the United States.

Each application shall be considered based on the need, reason for need, and inability to provide or secure basic necessities of life without assistance. An eligible resident may receive one assistance from one of the categories listed in benefit schedule one time a month. A maximum of two assistances will be granted for applicants each fiscal year.

Assistance

• Energy: (gas, LP, water, electric)
• Rent
• Emergency Shelter
• Food
• Burial Assistance

General Assistance Application