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Disaster Assistance Programs

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The Iowa Individual Disaster Assistance Grant Program (IIAGP)

IIAGP offers grants to families whose household’s annual income is at 200% or less of the federal poverty level. Each qualifying household MAY receive up to $5,000.00. The IIAGP is activated when the Governor issues a disaster proclamation turning on IIAGP for the affected counties. Please note - if a presidential disaster declaration for Individual Assistance is issued for a county for the same event, the state program is automatically canceled for that county, as the federal program then goes into effect. The federal program does not have an income restriction.
 
The application may be downloaded by clicking on Iowa Disaster Assistance Application (Español). Applications can be turned in to a local Community Action Agency, go to www.iowacommunityaction.org to find your local agency. For the Iowa Individual Disaster Assistance Grant program information call toll-free 1-877-347-5678.
 
 

Iowa Disaster Case Management

Disaster Case Management is a time limited resource and process that involves a partnership between a disaster case manager and a household impacted by a disaster to develop and carry out a Disaster Recovery Plan. This partnership provides the client with a single point of contact to facilitate access to a broad range of resources, promoting sustainable assistance for individual’s and a household’s recovery. These services are client focused, and provided in a manner consistent with standards for trauma-informed practice in human services.
 
Contact your local Community Action Agency at www.iowacommunityaction.org to find your local agency.
 

Behavioral Health

Disaster Behavioral Health Response Team

The Iowa Disaster Behavioral Health Response Team (DBHRT) is a trained team of volunteers who will respond to the mental health needs of Iowa residents following disasters and critical incidents. The team provides services for community providers based on local area needs and may be delivered at a disaster site in an affected community or statewide. Services may include:
  • Conduct behavioral health needs assessment following a disaster
  • Provide Psychological First Aid
  • Provide brief crisis counseling and intervention
  • Provide community outreach
  • Provide public information and education
  • Provide critical incident stress debriefing
  • Provide behavioral health consultation for providers, communities and individuals
  • Provide screening and referral for those affected by a disaster or critical event
Local authorities may request DBHRT assistance in order to meet the behavioral health needs of communities in crisis by contacting the Homeland Security and Emergency Management Duty Officer. The duty officer is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 515-725-3231. For more information go to www.iowadbhrt.org.  
 

Your Life Iowa

If you or a loved one are facing a problem with alcohol, drugs, gambling, mental health or suicidal thoughts, you’re not alone. That is why the Iowa Department of Public Health has created YourLifeIowa.org so Iowans can chat live, text, or call and get reliable information and treatment options, and find nearby help.

Due to a storm system that swept across Iowa on Monday, Aug. 10, 2020, causing significant damage and power outages, you may have trouble connecting your call with Your Life Iowa (855-581-8111) or 1-800-BETS OFF. The online chat and text options are still available, and may be more reliable until all services can be restored. (Text to 1-855-895-8398 and click here to chat).

If there is an immediate crisis, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or click here to access the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline chat. The National LIfeline will make sure you are able to get in contact with someone who can help.


Abbe Center Iowa Warm Line (Eastern Iowa)

The Iowa Warm Line is a peer-run, telephone based, non-crisis and confidential listening line for anyone struggling with mental health or substance abuse issues. The Warm Line is staffed by individuals who have been through a similar journey and are in recovery themselves.

The phone number to call is 1-844-775-9276. Calls are answered seven days a week from 5 - 10 p.m.
 

COVID-19 DHS Resources

COVID-19 and Your Mental Health

For 24/7 disaster crisis counseling, call Iowa Concern Hotline at 800-447-1985.

Additional information and resources on Mental Health assistance following disasters visit Mental Health Disaster page.