Accept applications for General Assistance from persons residing in Dubuque County and will supply standard application forms for this purpose. For rent and utility assistance, this will be through the Coordinated Entry network of agencies, and Community Solutions of Eastern Iowa.

Investigate the needs of each person filing an application for General Assistance and reinvestigate as necessary.

Determine the eligibility of each applicant according to the guidelines set out in this policy.

Arrange for General Assistance Director approval of vendor payments to be paid on behalf of the applicant per Iowa Code 252.35.

The staff will contact all landlords or the City and/or County Assessors' Office to obtain/verify the following information:

Verification of correct landlord

Landlords interest in the property, i.e. own, buying, contract

Names of people living in the dwelling

The size of dwelling, i.e. sleeping room, 1, 2, 3, bedroom, house, etc.

Amount of rent

Any utilities included in the rent

Name and address to be placed on assistance check

Refer applicants to programs to attain self-sufficiency and promote financial responsibility to other agencies or programs as appropriate.

Investigation Guideline and Determination of Eligibility: The General Assistance staff will investigate the factual statements made on an application or from other information made available.

The following are circumstances under which the staff would find it prudent to make further inquiry into an individual's eligibility status:

The person's situation indicates potential sources of support