Iowa Family Investment Program (FIP)

Iowa’s Family Investment Program (FIP) provides time-limited cash assistance to needy families as they work towards becoming self-sufficient.

Designed as temporary financial assistance, FIP provides monthly cash benefits to eligible families in Iowa, with a lifetime limit of 60 months. ¹

Beside cash benefits, the FIP provides employment and training services for most participants through the PROMISE JOBS , a work and training program that will help you make a plan ² to become self-sufficient through participation in work-ready activities. ³

FAQ

How do I qualify for welfare in Iowa?

To qualify for welfare in Iowa, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:

Be a U.S. citizen or legal qualified alien.
Be a resident of the state of Iowa.
Be responsible for a child under age 18 or 19 and still in high school.
Be unemployed or under employed (working for very low wages).
Meet income and resource limits which vary by category.

What is the income limit for TANF in Iowa?

In Iowa, a family of three is considered “needy” if its net countable income, after taxes and other deductions , is less than $426 per month.

The limit for countable resources is $2,000 per household.

Household Size	Income Limit
1	$183
2	$361
3	$426
4	$495
5	$548
6	$610
7	$670
8	$731

The amounts shown represent income eligibility thresholds by household size. Families with income at or below these limits may be eligible for TANF benefits.

How much does FIP pay in Iowa?

In Iowa, Family Investment Program (FIP) benefits vary by household size, income, and available resources. A family of three with no income may receive up to $426 per month.

Household Size	Payment
1	$183
2	$361
3	$426
4	$495
5	$548
6	$610
7	$670
8	$731

The amounts shown represent the maximum monthly cash benefits available to families with no countable income. Actual payments may vary based on a family’s income and other eligibility factors.

How do I apply for FIP in Iowa?

You may get an application from any local DHS office in the county where you live. Fill out the application and take or mail it to the local DHS office.

For expedited processing, you may also apply online through Iowa HHS Benefits Portal .

Iowa Department of Health and Human Services
HHS Contact Center
(800) 972-2017

What documents do I need to apply for TANF in Iowa?

When you apply for TANF cash assistance in Iowa, you may be asked to provide all or some of the following documents:

A valid photo ID
Social Security numbers for the people applying (or proof that you have applied for them)
Proof of residency (where you live), such as a lease or a utility bill
Proof of U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status
Proof of your children’s identity and their relationship to you, such as birth certificates
Proof of earned and unearned income for everyone in your household, such as pay stubs
Proof of other resources, such as bank statements, if the state asks for them
Proof of pregnancy, if you are applying while pregnant
Information about the children’s other parent, such as a name and last known address, which states use for child support
Any additional documents needed to verify your household’s situation

Each state sets its own rules, and what you need may depend on your situation. If you are not sure what to bring, contact Iowa HHS (HHS) at (877) 347-5678 and they can tell you exactly what your application requires.

Sources & notes

Data and figures on this page come from the sources and notes below:

If you need assistance for more than 60 months, you may request for “hardship exemption ” for an additional 6 months extension. ↩
This plan is called a Family Investment Agreement (FIA) which is essentially a signed agreement between you and the state of Iowa. ↩
Financial assistance with transportation, housing and child care expenses is also available to FIP recipients while they participate in any PROMISE JOBS activities. ↩