General Assistance

The General Assistance program provides short-term monetary help to Dubuque County residents in extreme financial crisis. General Assistance offers a safety net for those not eligible for other government programs and promotes community strength by encouraging individual stability, self-sufficiency and responsibility. General Assistance is the funding program of last resort for those that are poor or needy.

General Assistance provides financial assistance on a temporary basis for a limited period of time. It can be used to pay for basic needs that include rent/lot rent; utilities-gas, electric, and water; burial; and medical services. General Assistance cannot be used for deposits for rental housing, utility deposits or hookup fees, mortgage payments, existing dental or medical bills.

General Assistance Program Areas

Burial Services
Rent Payment Assistance
Utility Service Payment Assistance
Medical Services

More Information

For more information about the Dubuque County General Assistance policy and guidelines, refer to the Dubuque County General Assistance Guidelines (PDF).

Additional financial assistance resources may be found by:

Calling 2-1-1 from a landline or 1-800-244-7431 from a mobile phone
Referring to the 2-1-1 Resource & Referral Hotline at the United Way of Dubuque Area Tri-States.
Searching the 2-1-1 Online Resources Database
Searching on the free smartphone app “211 Iowa,” available on the Apple App Store or Google Play