Explaining the Law and Providing Self-Help Information for Low-Income Iowans
There are 57 resources
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Disability Help
Common Legal Terms
(Separate Website)
An online glossary of legal terms from A to W
By: Iowa Judicial Branch
Legal Rights of Persons With Disabilities
People with disabilities, including those who use assistive technology, have many rights. Here is just a summary of some areas with special protections of which you should be aware.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Common Legal Terms
(Separate Website)
An online glossary of legal terms from A to W
By: Iowa Judicial Branch
Utility Shut Offs As The Winter Moratorium Ends
Many people fell behind on their utility bills during the winter. This means many utility customers will be getting notices. The notices will say their utility service could be shut off after April 1, 2003 if they do not pay their back bills. This resource looksat the options a customer has after the winter moratorium ends.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Common Legal Terms
(Separate Website)
An online glossary of legal terms from A to W
By: Iowa Judicial Branch
DHS Programs for People Who No Longer Get FIP
The Department of Human Services offers Medicaid and Child Care Assistance programs to help those who no longer get FIP benefits due to increased earnings or child support. The main programs are Transitional Child Care (TCC) and Transitional Medicaid.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
FIP Benefits Update: Ban on Receiving Benefits After 60 Months Starts January 1, 2002
In 1996, Congress made major changes in welfare programs. These changes were a part of welfare reform and Congress changed the nature of welfare. States had to limit the number of months adults may get TANF benefits. In Iowa, TANF benefits are called FIP (Family Investment Program) or welfare benefits. Medicaid (Title XIX), food stamps, general assistance, SSI, and energy assistance are not among welfare benefits subject to the 60-month limit.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Internet Safety
(Separate Website)
There are hundreds of ways that computers record everything you do on the computer or Internet.
By: Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Read this in:
Spanish / Espaņol
Common Legal Terms
(Separate Website)
An online glossary of legal terms from A to W
By: Iowa Judicial Branch
DHS Programs for People Who No Longer Get FIP
The Department of Human Services offers Medicaid and Child Care Assistance programs to help those who no longer get FIP benefits due to increased earnings or child support. The main programs are Transitional Child Care (TCC) and Transitional Medicaid.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
FIP Benefits Update: Ban on Receiving Benefits After 60 Months Starts January 1, 2002
In 1996, Congress made major changes in welfare programs. These changes were a part of welfare reform and Congress changed the nature of welfare. States had to limit the number of months adults may get TANF benefits. In Iowa, TANF benefits are called FIP (Family Investment Program) or welfare benefits. Medicaid (Title XIX), food stamps, general assistance, SSI, and energy assistance are not among welfare benefits subject to the 60-month limit.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
General Assistance Offices in Iowa
(Separate Website)
General Assistance is also known as general relief and relief of the poor. An Iowa law required Board of Supervisors to help poor, and sometimes needy, persons who cannot afford to pay for their own needs. Here is a list of General Assistance County Directors in Iowa with addresses, telephone numbers, and hours.
By: University of Iowa Health Care
Internet Safety
(Separate Website)
There are hundreds of ways that computers record everything you do on the computer or Internet.
By: Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Read this in:
Spanish / Espaņol
Medicaid Payment for Nursing Home Care
Many people rely on Medicaid, also known as Title 19, to pay for their nursing home care. People may generally receive Medicaid payment for their nursing home care if their income is $1,809 or less per month and their nonexempt resources are $2,000 or less.
By: Legal Hotline for Older Iowans
Medicaid Rules, Birth Certificates and Proof of Citizenship and Identity
All people who apply for Medicaid, or a re-certified, must provide proof of citizenship and identity. Here are details on how to get a copy of your birth certificate in Iowa.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
One Car, Any Value
Iowans will be able to have one dependable car and still get welfare benefits and food assistance. Welfare (FIP) and food assistance (food stamps) limit the amount of resources a family can have and still be eligible.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Storm Grant Program Will Help Winter Storm Victims
(Separate Website)
Find out how to apply for disaster grants of up to $3,319 to help Iowa's winter storm victims. Details and an application form are currently being developed.
Are Your Legal Affairs in Order?
Putting your legal affairs in order is important for a number of reasons. Some of the more important issues that Iowans, and especially older Iowans, should consider involve powers of attorney, living wills, and estate and Medicaid planning.
By: Legal Hotline for Older Iowans
Read this in:
Bosnian / Bosanski
A quick guide to 'public charge' and public benefits
(Separate Website)
The government immigration service explains how you can get health services and not hurt your immigration status.
By: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (INS)
Read this in:
Spanish / Espaņol
Changes in How Iowans Get Mental Health Services
The question of who is going to pay for services for people with mental health, brain injury, mental retardation, and developmental disabilities is frustrating for many Iowans, especially disabled Iowans on fixed incomes. A new law changes how this is handled.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Common Legal Terms
(Separate Website)
An online glossary of legal terms from A to W
By: Iowa Judicial Branch
Could my family get public health insurance?
(Separate Website)
If you don't have insurance, or you've lost your insurance, always check to see whether you or your family may be eligible for one of the public insurance programs. Check out this information to see if you qualify.
By: National Health Law Program - HealthCareCoach.com
Coverage for your newborn or newly adopted child
(Separate Website)
Before you bring home that new bundle of joy, you will want to make sure that the baby's health needs will be covered.
By: National Health Law Program - HealthCareCoach.com
Dealing With Medical Debt
It is important to plan for medical expenses. Equally important is knowing how to deal with medical bills when you have no money to pay them.
By: Legal Hotline for Older Iowans
General Assistance Offices in Iowa
(Separate Website)
General Assistance is also known as general relief and relief of the poor. An Iowa law required Board of Supervisors to help poor, and sometimes needy, persons who cannot afford to pay for their own needs. Here is a list of General Assistance County Directors in Iowa with addresses, telephone numbers, and hours.
By: University of Iowa Health Care
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READ THIS BEFORE USING ANY PART OF THE IOWA LEGAL AID WEBSITE (ILAW) If you cannot afford a lawyer and have a legal problem in Iowa, you may be able to get free legal help. Call Iowa Legal Aid. To find out which office serves your county, call 1-800-532-1275 or 515-243-2151 in the Des Moines calling area. If you are age 60 or over, you may be able to get free legal advice from The Legal Hotline for Older Iowans at 1-800-992-8161 or 282-8161 in Des Moines. All numbers are Voice and TTY.
This Website Does NOT Give Legal Advice. When you use ILAW, you are just making a request for information. No part of this site or any link found through this site is meant to give you legal advice. Using any part of this site does not make you a client. If you send an e-mail to anyone you reach through this site, it does not make you a client of any lawyer. See a lawyer to get complete, correct, and up-to-date legal advice.
ILAW Only Has a General Summary of the Law. It is not meant to fully explain topics. Do not assume what you read on ILAW applies to your specific case. Also, the law may vary from state to state. What you find on this website may not apply where you live or to court actions filed in other states.
The Law Often Changes. Content on this site was correct when it was written. Check the date on each page. Do not assume what you see here is still correct when you read it.
Links. This website has links to other Internet sites. We have these links so you can find help on legal matters from the justice community. Other sites are responsible for all content on their sites.
E-mail. Using ILAW or sending e-mail through this website does NOT make you a client of any person or program you reach through this site. When you use e-mail, you risk having someone else access part or all of your message.
As You Look at this Website, Remember it is Not a Substitute for Legal Advice.
The Iowa Legal Aid Website is a project of Iowa Legal Aid, the Volunteer Lawyer Projects of the Iowa State Bar and Polk County Bar Associations, and HELP Legal Assistance
(Separate Website)
