Community Action Updates

Community Action Program Updates

  • All neighborhood center emergency food pantries are open daily.
    • Please call your local center for a pickup appointment.
    • Donations of pantry and hygiene items are appreciated. If anyone in your home is ill or has been exposed, please refrain from donating at this time.
  • Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) has been extended until May 31, 2020. Disconnects will not go out until May 1, 2020 if you qualified for LIHEAP and still owe your utility. Apply for LIHEAP online or call your local center to apply.
  • 3.25.2020 Office locations are closed to the general public. Please call with questions: 319-753-0193
  • Head Start classrooms are closed until April 30, 2020. Food distribution is occurring.
  • Local neighborhood centers are staffed but locked. Please call your local center to make an appointment to pick up food, assistance by phone, or other needed help.
  • Many specialists are working from home and connecting with client families by means other than face-to-face.

Other Agency Updates

  • 4.22.2020
    • TestIowa is the governor’s campaign to have everyone answer a few questions to help them determine where to prioritize testing. Learn more or take the assessment here: https://www.testiowa.com/
  • 4.15.2020
    • Meals on Wheels with Milestones Area Agency on Aging. Anyone 60+ who is homebound (this can be temporary due to COVID-19) may enroll by calling 1-855-410-6222. There are no income guidelines. They are doing frozen meals to limit contact and it may be a five meal pack or ten. They also have a no contact delivery for everyone’s protection. Due to COVID19  the homebound status is waived if they have no-one or other way to help assure food security, have multiple chronic health conditions and/or other immune compromising health conditions. This may be a great nutritionally balanced way of getting food to vulnerable seniors. Please encourage those in need to call to enroll!
    • They’re also looking for volunteer drivers.
  • 4.13.2020 IRS Non-Filers Portal for Stimulus Payments
    • If the government does not have your bank or address information to deliver your stimulus payment, you can enter it with the IRS’s portal linked to here.
  • Federal Notice of Families First Coronavirus Response Act – Explaining paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave.
  • 3.30.2020 Iowa Workforce Development
    • UNEMPLOYMENT for those related for COVID-19: For those who are SELF-EMPLOYED, independent contractors, nonprofit employees, and gig economy workers, or requesting an extension of benefits and are not currently filing weekly claims, please submit your initial application now.
    • Claims that are filed and identified as a direct or indirect result of COVID-19, will not be charged to employers. Fact-finding interviews for these claims will be waived and not be held although employers will be notified of claims received.
    • Gov Reynolds Assistance Announcement
    • Information regarding COVID-19 extension of benefits
    • IWD’s Facebook post regarding updates
  • 3.30.2020 Iowa Utility Board notice regarding shutoff notices and disconnects for utilities in Iowa.
  • 3.27.2020 SNAP/Food Assistance Benefits expansion, Walmart and Amazon use for qualified foods, extensions, and more. See the announcement here.
  • 3.26.2020 DHS offices are open by appointment only. Call your local office or look at their website online. View their local letter here.Update: Lee county is now able to accept appointments.
  • Temporary Job Opportunities and Updates from Iowa Department of Workforce Development
  • Free legal advice for things related to COVID-19 from Iowa Legal Aid. Call their hotline: 1-800-332-0419. 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
  • Iowa Legal Aid has a GREAT collection of resource information on how the law and governor’s proclamations apply to people in a crisis, their rights, rent, mortgages, court orders, unemployment, abuse, etc.
  • Parent/caregiver guide to helping families. Tips and advice.
  • Answers Now by Iowa State Extension Office has online events, resources, and information. Call, text, email or research their site. Offering free one-on-one financial conversations as well.
  • Live updated childcare availability map  Following Governor Reynold’s announcement of the importance of childcare availability for essential workers, the map went live illustrating real time availability of child care throughout the state.
  • Are you a part of a credit union? Your small business (less than 5 people) may qualify for the Emergency Relief Fund.
  • For under-served populations COVID-19 information
  • Social Connectedness for the Homebound resource list with telephone activities, ‘warmline’ for emotional support, virtual classes, conversations and other telephone support. From the Iowa Department on Aging
  • A collection of other resources, fliers and information arranged by month

Support Resources

Self Care Resources

General COVID-19 information: