ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Individuals or their representatives may apply for services based upon need. In order to determine eligibility for services for the different programs available, there are several criteria that must be met. The CPC/General Assistance Director oversees this process. These criteria are as follows:

MENTAL HEALTH

A person can receive mental health services if you meet four (4) criteria requirements and have attained Legal Settlement within Keokuk County. To obtain Legal Settlement within Keokuk County, a person must have resided in Keokuk County for a period of one year without receiving mental health or substance abuse services. If found not to have attained Legal Settlement within Keokuk County, a referral will be made to the county for which Legal Settlement has been determined. The other criteria are as follows:

1. You must have a diagnosed disability covered by this plan. Current accepted diagnoses are Mental Illness, Chronic Mental Illness, and Mental Retardation.

2. You must meet income and resource financial eligibility guidelines. Resources should not exceed $2,000/single person, and $3,000/married persons. Income should not exceed 150% of the current federal poverty guidelines per household.

3. The requested service must be included as an available service in the Keokuk County Management Plan. (See plan for a listing)

4. You must be in need of the service requested.

For more detailed explanations, please refer to the Keokuk County Management Plan.

GENERAL ASSISTANCE

A person can receive General Assistance (including the authorization of State Papers) in Keokuk County if you meet three (4) eligibility requirements. The criteria include:

1. You must meet income and resource financial eligibility guidelines. There are three areas which must be met. These include: assets can not exceed liabilities and income needs to meet the current 100% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines depending on income and household size (please see ordinance for specific details). In addition, applicants must show the inability to pay for basic necessity bills as they fall due.

2. The requested assistance for relief must be an available component in the General Assistance Ordinance. (See ordinance for a listing)

3. You must be in need of the assistance requested.

4. You must meet the definitions as a “poor” or “needy” person.

General Assistance also administers Federal Emergency Management Assistance (FEMA) funds. For more detailed explanations, please refer to the General Assistance Ordinance and/or the FEMA Responsibilities and Requirements manual.