Close to two-thirds of the requests for resource and referral from Central Place staff include financial assistance with basic needs.
For many of those calls, the first referral is to the Polk County Community and Family Services’ General Assistance program. Southeast Polk residents (who meet income and other guidelines) are able to use General Assistance for help with rent, mortgage, utilities, food and basic furniture items.
Whether the family accesses this service at Central Place on the last Wednesday each month, or goes to the main office at 1900 Carpenter in Des Moines, the family could first work with Central Place to ensure they have the proper paperwork and information for the appointment.
Referrals are made for families who do not meet the guidelines for General Assistance support.
