Below, you will find a list of resources in the Des Moines area, and links to their websites for more information.
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Emergency Help: Polk County Social Services
Rent Assistance
Polk County General Assistance: 515-286-2088
- One-time assistance every 12 months
- Must have some kind of “earned income”, cannot be receiving public benefits (Social Security Disability, etc.).
- Can also help with first-month’s rent for a new place
IMPACT: 515-518-4770
- Up to 12 months total of assistance while funds last
Cross Outreach: 515-279-9998
- One-time assistance every 12 months
- Can help with deposit for a new place
Utility Assistance
Polk County General Assistance: 515-286-2088
- See above, also:
- Must have a disconnect notice
IMPACT: 515-518-4770
- Must have a disconnect notice
Cross Outreach: 515-279-9998
- One-time assistance every 12 months
Other Resources
Aging Resources of Central Iowa: 515-255-1310
- Maintain list of senior housing in central Iowa
- Good general referral
Evelyn K. Davis Center for Working Families: 515-697-7700
- Workforce development – resume & job-search assistance, etc.
Primary Health Care Homeless Outreach: 515-248-1850
- Centralized intake for people seeking shelter
- Some prevention services – they’re a good general referral
https://www.findhelp.org/ – comprehensive search for social services by ZIP Code
Central Iowa Resources for Crisis Assistance: Call 2-1-1 or go to 211.org for help related to:
- paying bills, including housing, utilities, and healthcare expenses
- finding food
- Covid-19
- disaster recovery
- mental health
- substance use
Mental Health
Your Life Iowa Crisis Line: call 855-851-8111 or text 855-895-8398
Your Life Iowa is a crisis line that provides information and referral, counseling, crisis service coordination, and linkages to crisis screening and mental health services including dispatch of the CICS mobile Response Team 24 hours per day.
Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255 (press 1)
Homeless Services: Centralized Intake through Primary Health Care: 515-248-1850
STD Testing & Treatment
Food Security