There are around 226,000 veterans who live in the state of Iowa. Veterans in Iowa may experience financial hardship at times, just as veterans do in other states around the country. Many people experience financial problems because they are either between jobs, or they can’t find a job that will pay a salary that keeps pace with the rising cost of living. The good news is there are grants for veterans in Iowa, and they can be helpful in getting people through difficult financial times.
Those who need help paying the bills often turn to federal grant programs. These programs, which are open to veterans, provide a grant that does not have to be paid back at any time. They provide people with a wide range of financial help, including paying for a phone, rent, purchase groceries, and more. The grants for veterans in Iowa can be helpful during rough times, with most of them providing short term assistance.
Types of Grants for Veterans in Iowa
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – Veterans who need assistance purchasing food may qualify for a monthly grant through SNAP. The federally-funded program provides those who qualify with a debit-style card. Each month, the grant funds are electronically added to the card, and the card can be used to pay for groceries at the store or farmer’s market. To qualify for SNAP, you have to meet the low income requirements, and be a citizen or legal immigrant. The average amount that a family in Iowa receives through SNAP is just over $106 per month. The grant won’t pay for all of your food, but it helps to cover the costs. To apply, click here.
Family Investment Program (FIP) – This is the same as the federal program called Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. The program provides those who quality with a monthly cash grant that can be used on living expenses, including such things as housing, transportation, food, and utilities. The goal of the program is to help people become self sufficient. There is a 60-month time limit for receiving the grant. To qualify for the program, you have to have a dependent child who is age 18 or under, and be a citizen or legal immigrant. The program does also provide self sufficiency grants, and provides refugee cash assistance for those who quality. To apply, click here.
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) – There are housing grants for veterans in Iowa. The grant programs through HUD will help pay rent, avoid foreclosure, obtain necessary home repairs, and help people find affordable housing. To qualify for the program, you have to meet the low income requirements, and be a citizen or legal immigrant. HUD can also help people find public housing that they may qualify for. To apply, click here.
Low Income Housing Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) – Veterans who need help paying for their utility bills may qualify for a grant through LIHEAP. The program is federally funded, and will provide people with a one-time per season grant to pay for your heating bill. There are limited funds for the LIHEAP program, and once the funds run out each season then there is no more assistance available. They begin taking applications on November 1 each year and stop taking them on April 30. Those who are over the age of 60 or who are disabled can put their application in starting on October 1. You can apply for the program at your local community outreach office. To apply, click here.
Lifeline Assistance – There are phone grants for veterans in Iowa. The grants help make it more affordable for veterans to afford having a phone, whether it is a cellular or landline unit. Those who are approved for the program will only have to pay $9.25 per month for their phone service. The government pays the rest through the grant program. To qualify, you have to meet the low income requirements, and be a citizen or legal immigrant. To apply, click here.
The grants for veterans in Iowa can be an important option to help people make it through difficult financial times. There is no limited to the number of grant programs you can apply for or receive funds from. Veterans who need help paying the bills should apply for multiple programs to see which ones they can get assistance from.