The maximum levels of benefits to be provided are listed in the Marion County Assistance Guidelines for each item of relief for each person or that person’s family unit.
1. Food.
2. Shelter.
A. Rent will only be paid to the landlord or owner. Payments will not be paid to a sub-renter or relative. Rent will not be paid in advance. House payments will not be paid as it creates an estate. Interest on house loans may be considered.
B. Deposits will not be made for rent, gas, water or electricity.
3. Utilities.
A. Assistance with utilities costs shall be provided only in the amount of actual cost of current amounts, which allow continuance of service and not service provided for prior months. Relief under this category does not include deposits, taxes or penalties.
B. Heat, light, water, sewer and garbage pickup, the amount needed to provide these services and supplies not to exceed $200.00 per month. Partial payments will be considered.
4. Medical Services.
5. Hospital Services.
A. No hospital services will be provided to a needy person if any of the following apply:
(1) The person was offered enrollment in his or her employer’s medical insurance program and voluntarily declined said enrollment, unless client can show good cause.
(2) The occurrence for which medical services are claimed would have occurred within the coverage period of the employer’s medical services insurance program, had the person enrolled when offered, and continued enrollment as long as eligible.
(3) General relief cannot assist on Medicare deduction except for poor persons 65 years of age and older, under 18 years of age, or disabled.
B. Prior authorization will be required for medical services, if possible. For medical expenses the usage of State Papers shall be explored before medical payment is authorized within the community. All obstetrical care will be provided at University of Iowa Hospitals.
C. When prior authorization is not possible, the office must be notified within the next working day by client or representative. A telephone call will be acceptable as notification.
D. The County reserves the right to set a maximum liability for itself in hospital bills and doctor fees while hospitalized. The maximum allowed to a hospital or doctor is $500.00 in any given hospitalization episode, unless otherwise approved by the Board of Supervisors.
E. No out-of-State or out-of-County medical costs will be approved if needed services could have been provided locally or at the University of Iowa Hospitals. Medical payments will be made for services and good to local hospital, physicians and health care providers for reasonable value of medical care authorized.
F. Indigent persons in need of medical help must apply for medical needs and denial must be received for relief to be considered.
G. For State Papers the patient must be medically indigent and condition should be of a nature as to require prolonged hospital care, extensive surgery or medical treatment or a type of treatment not available more locally or if available locally more cost effective. In no instance will State Papers be approved without the recommendations of a local physician; neither will State Papers be approved for routine check-up or diagnosis. When State Papers are approved, they are effective for the entire fiscal year, regardless of the number of admissions to the University Hospitals, and County reserves the right to determine if local medical or State Papers will be utilized.
6. Telephone Services. Basic telephone service may be provided if a medical necessary, the monthly cost of one telephone on basic charge can be allowed. Relief under this category shall not include the cost of long distance charges for other than medical emergencies.
7. Transportation. Assistance with transportation expenses as needed to obtain other benefits or seek employment may be provided upon approval of the Director. Confirmation of appointments are necessary before approval is granted.
A. Transportation will be paid on a one-way, one-time-only basis, in order to enable an applicant to return to his or her original residence in lieu of any other assistance for relief.
B. Transportation that is paid will be the transportation with the least cost, such as a bus ticket or purchase of gas at the local station. A fill of gasoline not to exceed $20.00 will be allowed when there is not other source.
8. Funeral Services.
A. Eligibility for burial benefits exists when the deceased person’s estate does not have at least $1,950.00 which can be applied toward the funeral expenses.
B. Marion County will pay whatever portion the estate of the deceased cannot pay with a maximum limit of $1,950.00. Any money derived from life insurance or a death benefit policy, social security, railroad retirement, veteran’s benefits, estate, etc., shall be deducted from the total bill, if possible. If benefits are paid to family members, heirs or directly to the funeral home, they shall reimburse Marion County for all services received. The bill from the funeral home shall include the cost of the following items:
(1) Preparation and embalming of body;
(2) Metal casket;
(3) Cement vault;
(4) Transportation of the body from place of death to place of interment within Marion County. (Exception: transportation from place of death to the place where the recipient lived prior to removal from that place for hospitalization and/or medical treatment at the time of terminal illness shall not be considered as part of the funeral cost.)
(5) Services of a second funeral director;
(6) Burial lot;
(7) Opening and closing of grave.
All billing must include a copy of signed funeral agreement.
The maximum limitation for any one person per year for the benefits, disregarding funeral and medical expenses or persons in a group facility, shall be $1,050.00. The total amount for all of the items of relief needed at any one time shall be determined and there shall be deducted the amount of liquid assets the person or family unit has available, and the balance remaining is the amount of relief benefits the needy person is to receive.