Disaster Assistance

Need help? Call our toll-free line at: 1 (877) 937-3663

DHS has several programs to help with the damage caused by flood and storms. This page contains information about the Individual Assistance Grant Program and scroll down for infomation about emergency food assistance programs and about coping with a disaster.

For information on other state and federal programs, please go to http://www.flood2008.iowa.gov/.

Individual Disaster Assistance

Applying for a reimbursement grant: Iowa residents who sustained damage in this year’s storms or floods should apply for federal or state-only disaster assistance grants if they are available. Residents are not eligible for both. By design, the federal program is far more generous than the state-funded Iowa-only program. Click here for more information regarding the state and federal disaster grant programs.

This page provides information about applying for the state's disaster assistance grant program for people with low income. The grant program is automatically launched with a governor's declaration.

• Online (see specific event below)
• From your county Emergency Management Coordinator [ pdf]
• From your local DHS office.

Online applications can be printed out at your local library if necessary.

List of County Emergency Coordinators [ pdf]

Food

Residents of counties that have been declared in a presidential disaster declaration may be eligible for the Disaster Food Assistance Program.  There is a special application for the Disaster Food Assistance program and applications are only accepted for a limited time.  Applications will be taken at the FEMA disaster site offices as they are set up, or residents may contact their local DHS offices to apply (click here for help finding the address).  Note that some people who would not qualify for Food Assistance under the regular rules may qualify for Disaster Food Assistance. All households affected by the disaster are encouraged to apply.

If you currently receive Food Assistance you may qualify for Disaster Food Assistance benefits in addition to what you have already received.

To qualify a household must because of the disaster have experienced at least one of the following:

• Loss of food.
• Damage to, or destruction of the household's home.
• Damage to, or destruction of a household member's self-employment business.
• Disaster-related expenses not expected to be reimbursed during the disaster period.
• Loss or inaccessibility of income.

If you live anywhere in Iowa and currently receive Food Assistance you can apply for assistance to replace destroyed or spoiled food. To apply, complete a Request for Replacement of Spoiled Food application and bring or mail it to your county’s DHS Office (click here for help finding the address). If you are unable to get to your local office you should call 1-877-YES-FOOD (1-877-937-3663) to apply.

Coping With A Disaster

These documents provide information for families and individuals dealing with a disaster event.

Managing Truamatic Stress	Disasters can be sudden and overwhelming. When people are exposed to traumatic events, such as natural disaster, these events can affect them personally. Most people show signs of stress after the event. Therefore after a stressful event, they should monitor their own physical and mental health. Know the signs of stress and how to relieve stress. They should know when to get help.	pdf [12KB]
Tornadoes, Hurricanes and Children	The anxiety and fear followed by a disaster can be especially troubling for surviving children. Due to which some children may regress and demonstrate younger behaviors and may become more prone to nightmares and fear of sleeping alone. Performance in school may suffer as well.	pdf [7KB]
A Guide to Managing Stress in Crisis Response Professions	Crisis response workers and managers are repeatedly exposed to extraordinarily stressful events. This places them at higher-than-normal risk for developing stress reactions. This guide to managing stress provides some basic tools that can inspire and spread optimism and point the way to effective stress management.	pdf [1.3MB]
Repairing Your Flooded Home	This book gives step-by-step advice you can use to clean up, rebuild, and get help after a flood.	pdf [738KB]
Flood Cleanup Safety and Salvaging	This document provides some tips on residential cleanupand gives an overview of those materials that can be salvaged and those that cannot and how to make some decisions.	pdf [511KB]
Self Care Tips	A disaster or traumatic event can have far-reaching effects in several major areas of our lives; making rebuilding our emotional lives extremely difficult. This file provides information on what to expect that can help ease the transition back to a normal life.	pdf [84KB]
Managing Stress - Tips for Responders	This guide for emergency and disaster response workers provides information on ways to help manage their stress.	pdf [76KB]
Phases of Disaster Recovery	There are three recovery phases: resolve, respond, and rebuild. They are distinct and require different types of people to execute effectively.	pdf [80KB]
Tips for Talking to Children	Disasters or traumatic events affect children as much as adults. This article talks about how to help your child understand and cope with the experience.	pdf [76KB]
Helping Children Cope	Parents or other adults react to a child following any traumatic event can help children recover more quickly and more completely. This brochure contains general information to help you in this task.	pdf [83KB]
Helping Older Adults Cope	This document talks about understanding some of the common reactions in older adults, and ways we can better offer support and assistance where appropriate to help them recover from a catastrophic event.	pdf [67KB]
How Children May React to a Disaster	This article provides information on how children of different age groups react to disaster.	pdf [91KB]
Dealing with Effects of Trauma	This is a self-help guide. It may give you guidance to relieve some disaster related symptoms and share some simple and safe things you can do to help yourself heal from the effects of trauma.	pdf [162KB]
After a Disaster - Tips for Teens	This document provides tips on how teens can deal with their feelings post disaster.	pdf [78KB]