General Assistance

PURPOSE
General Assistance provides financial assistance to low income Buchanan County residents on an emergency basis.

ELIGIBILITY/APPLICATION
  • Applicants must meet financial guidelines established by the Buchanan County Board of Supervisors and have applied for all other means of assistance.
  • Proof of income for everyone living in the household must be submitted before an application can be considered.
  • Applicants must be living in Buchanan County for 30 days prior to application to be considered a resident.
  • Assistance may be provided up to three times in a calendar year (Food Pantry referrals do not count toward this number).
  • Applicant must be able to provide proof of payment for the remainder of the bill before county payment can be made.  County assistance has a maximum amount paid and will typically not pay the entire amount owed.
ASSISTANCE PROVIDED
Financial assistance can be provided for the following:

  • Rent
  • Utilities
  • Groceries
  • Limited Medical/Dental/Prescriptions (emergency/urgent only; must be applied for prior to receiving treatment)
  • Burial (must be applied for before final arrangements are made)
Referrals to the Independence Area Food Pantry may be given with no regard to income.

Discount prescription cards through Med One are available regardless of income or insurance coverage.

For any questions please contact:  Patti Meyer or Julie Davison at (319) 334-7450.