Nutrition - Division of Financial, Health and Work Supports
Food Assistance (formerly known as Food Stamps) Program
The Food Assistance program promotes the general welfare of low income families by raising their levels of nutrition to avoid hunger and malnutrition.
Who Can Get Help?
To get help from most of our programs, you must:
- Be a U.S. citizen or legal qualified alien
- Live in Iowa
- Provide a social security number or proof of application for a number
- Meet income and resource limits (these vary from program to program)
- Provide all information needed to determine eligibility and benefit level
How do I apply?
You must fill out an application form to get most of our services. You can fill out the form online, print out an application form and mail it in, or get an application form from any Department of Human Services (DHS) office. Call the Food Assistance Call Center at 1-877-YES-FOOD (1-877-937-3663) for help with applying for Food Assistance.
To apply online: go to http://www.yesfood.iowa.gov.
To print out an application form: click on one of the links below, depending upon whether you want an English or Spanish form and whether you are applying only for Food Assistance or for other assistance at the same time. Complete the application by hand and return it to the DHS office serving the county where you live.
To find out where you can get an application form from a Department of Human Services (DHS) office: click on County DHS Office Locations to find the location of the county DHS office nearest you.
Prescreening Tool to determine if you may be eligible for Food Assistance benefits
You can use a prescreening tool developed by the USDA to determine if you may be eligible to receive Food Assistance benefits. Go to the USDA's Applicants and Recipients web page and click on the On-Line Prescreening Tool link. A similar tool is used in the online application. Links to Program Applications to print an application
If you want to apply for just Food Assistance, click on either of the following links. You can then print out the application and bring or mail it in to a DHS office.
|
English
|
Application for Food Assistance
|
|
|
Espanol
|
Solicitud De Cupones De Comida |
|
If you want to apply for Food Assistance, Family Investment Program (FIP) and/or Medicaid (Title 19), click on either of the following links. You can then print the application and bring or mail it in to a DHS office.
|
English
|
Family Investment Program (FIP), Refugee Cash Assistance, Food Assistance or Medical Assistance |
|
|
Espanol
|
Family Investment Program (FIP), Refugee Cash Assistance, Food Assistance or Medical Assistance
|
|
If you have questions contact the Food Assistance Call Center at 1-877-YES-FOOD (1-877-937-3663) or any county DHS office. Click here for a map of County DHS Office Locations.
The county DHS office serving your county is also listed in the State or County Government section of your local phone book, under "Department of Human Services" or just "Human Services".
You may also contact the Department's Field Office Support Unit by calling (515) 281-6899 or 1-800- 972-2017.
Civil Rights Statement for the Food Assistance Program: In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, political beliefs, or disability.
To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 or (202) 720-6382 (TTY). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Click here for information about the Commodities/Food Distribution programs. |
