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We Can Help You Get Healthy Food!
Fruits, vegetables, and other healthy foods help you and your family be who you want to be. Sometimes these healthy foods are expensive. Below are places you can call or visit that may help you and your family obtain these healthy foods. Many of the places have income guidelines. Even if you work full-time, you may qualify. Call to find out if you and your family can get help.
You can now apply for Food Assistance and other DHS programs online! Click here to go to the online application.
Food Assistance Benefits Have Increased!
The federal economic recovery package means additional help to many of the lowest-income families in Iowa. Food Assistance benefits have increased nationwide by 13.6 percent. Starting in April the average monthly household benefit increased about $32. More information on these increased benefits is available in English and Spanish.
Governor Culver, in annoucing the increase, said: 'During this time of economic uncertainty, I want to do everything we can to create new jobs as well as help Iowans hurt by the recession. Because of the leadership of President Obama and those members of Congress who supported the federal recovery plan, we can provide a little extra help to Iowans in order to feed themselves and their families.'
'This is especially welcome news for unemployed or under-employed Iowans as they wrestle to make ends meet in a stagnant economy,” said Gene Gessow, former director of the Iowa Department of Human Services. “And while the prime purpose is to provide nutritional assistance for people in need, an important secondary benefit is additional economic activity.'
The new benefit level will likely last for several years. Benefits will remain stable until the cost of living adjustments, which normally trigger benefit increases each fall, catch up to the accelerated rates.
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The Food Assistance Program provides Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards that can be used to buy groceries at supermarkets, grocery stores and some Farmers Markets.
Qualifications:
To apply: Call your local DHS office to get an application or apply online at oasis.iowa.gov.
Click here to find your local DHS office.
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The WIC (Women, Infants, & Children) is a supplemental nutrition program for babies, children under the age of 5, pregnant women, breastfeeding women, and women who have had a baby in the last 6 months. WIC helps families by providing healthy foods, nutrition education, and referrals to other health care agencies.
Qualifications:
To apply: Make an appointment at your local WIC office. Bring proof of address, identity and income.
Contact Information: Call 1-800-532-1579 or go to www.idph.state.ia.us/wic/families.asp for more information.
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Fresh. Made Easy! More Iowans have increased access to farm-fresh food at selected Farmers Markets this season due to the efforts of the Iowa Department of Human Services EBT Wireless program. This program provides free wireless point-of-sale equipment to qualified vendors across the state. This enables the vendors to accept the EBT food assistance card, MasterCard or Visa.
Click here for more information about this program.
There are Farmers Markets throughout Iowa!
Click here for the latest list
of markets operating in 2009
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To find the nearest DHS office where you can get an application form or ask questions about DHS programs click here for a map of County DHS Office Locations. The local DHS office serving your county is also listed in the State or County Government section of your local phone book, under "Department of Human Services" or just "Human Services". You may also contact the Department's Field Office Support Unit by calling (515) 281-6899 or 1-800- 972-2017.
You can use a prescreening tool developed by the USDA to determine if you may be eligible to receive Food Assistance benefits. Click here for the USDA's Applicants and Recipients web page and click on the On-Line Prescreening Tool link. A similar tool is used in the online application.
If you want to apply for just Food Assistance, click on either of the following links. You can then print out the application and bring or mail it in to a DHS office.
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English
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Application for Food Assistance
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Espanol
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Solicitud De Cupones De Comida |
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If you want to apply for Food Assistance, Family Investment Program (FIP) and/or Medicaid (Title 19), click on either of the following links. You can then print the application and bring or mail it in to a DHS office.
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English
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Family Investment Program (FIP), Refugee Cash Assistance, Food Assistance or Medical Assistance |
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Espanol
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Family Investment Program (FIP), Refugee Cash Assistance, Food Assistance or Medical Assistance
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Brochures:
Food Assistance Program through Electronic Benefit Transfer English Spanish
Civil Rights Statement for the Food Assistance Program: In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, political beliefs, or disability.
To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 or (202) 720-6382 (TTY). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Click here for information about the Commodities/Food Distribution programs.
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School Food
Program |
The School Breakfast Program provides healthy breakfasts in school. Children can receive free or reduced price school breakfasts.
The National School Lunch Program provides healthy lunches. Children can receive free or reduced price lunches.
Qualifications:
To apply: Ask for an Iowa Eligibility Application at your child’s school. Return the completed application to your child’s school.
Contact Information: Contact your child’s school
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Summer Food
Service Program |
The Summer Food Service Program provides free meals during the summer months to some communities and day camps.
Qualifications: Be 18 years old or younger
To apply: No application process
Contact Information: Bureau of Nutrition, Health, and Transportation Services 515-281-5356 |
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Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) |
The CSFP provides supplemental food and nutrition education for pregnant, postpartum and breast-feeding women, infants, children up to age six and the elderly. Available foods include canned fruits and vegetables, hot and cold cereals, cheese, peanut butter and beans, pastas, canned and powdered milk, regular and soy formula and infant cereal.
Qualifications:
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Meet income guidelines
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Be six years or younger, a pregnant, postpartum or breastfeeding woman, or over the age of 60
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Foster children six years or younger are automatically eligible for this program
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Cannot also be enrolled in the WIC program
To apply:
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Apply in person at your local CSFP office.
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Bring proof of age, income, birth of baby or doctor’s note that provides due date of baby.
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If applying for your foster child, bring legal documentation of foster care status, child’s birth certificate or Title XIX document, and proof that you are the foster parent.
Contact Information: 1-877-288-3655 or www.polkcountyiowa.gov/CFYS/pages/SuppFoods.aspx
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Emergency Food Assistance |
Emergency Food Assistance provides free meals and
food at places like food pantries and soup kitchens.
To apply: Dial 211 or your local food bank to find out more information about places for help near you.
Contact Information: Dial 211 or go to www.iowalegalaid.com for food pantry information
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SHARE |
SHARE, also known as the Self-Help and Resource Exchange, is a program for anyone. SHARE Iowa offers tasty, nutritious grocery packages at half the retail cost in exchange for two hours of volunteer service in your community.
Contact Information: 1-800-344-1107 www.shareiowa.com |
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EFNEP AND FNP |
EFNEP and FNP are free nutrition education programs for low-income families offered by Iowa State University Extension. They help parents provide nutritious food for their families, leading to healthy children and strong families. Nutrition coaches meet with participants one-on-one and in small groups. The lessons include hands on activities, worksheets, games, recipes and cooking.
Qualifications: Meet income guidelines
To apply: 800-262-3804 or www.extension.iastate.edu/efnep/ |
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