The Code of Iowa, Chapter 252 imposes duties upon the counties of Iowa regarding general assistance. This Chapter directs the Dubuque County Board of Supervisors to develop a policy to provide for the assistance of poor persons in Dubuque County.

The board of supervisors of each county shall provide for the assistance of poor persons lawfully in the county who are ineligible for or are in immediate need and are awaiting approval and receipt of assistance under programs provided by state or federal law, or whose actual needs cannot be fully met by the assistance furnished under those programs.

The Dubuque County Board of Supervisors will determine the form of relief, and the amount of assistance will be determined by this policy.

The board of supervisors in each county shall appoint or designate a general assistance director for the county, who shall have the powers and duties conferred by this chapter. In Dubuque County, Randy Rennison, director of the Veterans Affairs department is designated as the General Assistance Director.

In Dubuque County, general assistance is called the General Assistance program.

General Assistance program provides short-term monetary help to Dubuque County residents in extreme financial crisis.

General Assistance offers a safety net for those eligible and promotes community strength by encouraging individual stability, self-sufficiency and responsibility.

General Assistance promotes respect, compassion, and fairness in all its interactions with persons seeking and receiving aid.