West Des Moines Human Services has been assisting low-income, older seniors and disabled residents since 1979. They currently provide assistance to more than 1,600 households in West Des Moines and surrounding western suburbs.
West Des Moines Human Services has been assisting low-income, older seniors and disabled residents since 1979. They currently provide assistance to more than 1,600 households in West Des Moines and surrounding western suburbs.
Services:
- Food & Personal Care Pantry
- Dog & cat food sometimes available
- DMARC Pantry & Anytime food
- Clothing Closet
- Medical Clinic
- Energy Assistance & Weatherization
- Holiday Assistance
- School Supplies
- Winter Coats
- Youth Rec Assistance & Pool Passes
- Birthday Heroes
- Homeless Prevention & Assistance
- Rent/Mortgage
- Utility Disconnections
Eligibility:
Eligibility varies by program. Residency and income requirements apply. Clothing closet available for income-eligible residents of West Des Moines, Clive, Urbandale, and Windsor Heights. DMARC Food pantry & Valley Junction Free Medical Clinic open to anyone regardless of residency boundaries.
Intake Process:
Bring the following information to apply:
- Proof of address (current piece of date-stamped mail or a lease)
- Proof of gross income for past 30 days
- Photo id for head of household
- Identification for all household members (e.g., photo id, health insurance card, school id, or other valid form of identification)
Individuals may also register online by completing an intake form on the website.
Hours:
Food & Personal Care Pantry Hours: Monday & Thursday 8:30 am – 3:00 pm; Tuesday 8:30 am – 3:00 pm & 4:30 – 6:30 pm; Wednesday & Friday 8:30 am – 12:00 noon; 1st Saturday of the month 9:00 – 11:30 am
Clothing Closet Hours: Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 12:00 noon; Tuesday 4:30 – 6:00 pm; 1st Saturday of the month 9:00 – 11:30 am
Handicap Accessible: Yes
Appointment Needed: No
Website: Visit Website
Program:
Handicap Accessible: Yes
Appointment Needed: No
Program:
Handicap Accessible: Yes
Appointment Needed: No
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally-funded program by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) designed to assist low-income families meet the cost of home heating. LIHEAP provides a one-time payment to the heating utility department.
This program is not designed to pay a household’s total energy costs, but to provide assistance in the payment of residential heating costs for eligible households. Households who reside in subsidized housing that are individually metered and responsible for paying their primary heating costs are eligible. Subsidized households that are master metered are usually not eligible to receive assistance benefits
Services:
- Utility payment assistance
Eligibility:
A household may qualify for assistance if the household’s income falls under 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Intake Process:
Applications are accepted on a first come/first served basis at a local community action agency from November 1 through April 30 (October 1 for households with elderly/disabled member). Complete the application and return it to the local community action agency. Applications may be available to be completed online through the local community action agency. Applicants must provide proof of income, Social Security numbers for each household member, and the household’s most recent heating or electric bill.
Handicap Accessible: Yes
Appointment Needed: No
Website: Visit Website
Program: Weatherization Assistance Program
The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) is a program established to help reduce the heating and cooling costs for low income persons, the elderly, disabled, and children, by improving the energy efficiency of their homes. The program also fixes certain health and safety problems in the client’s homes, maintains affordable housing for low-income persons, reduces utility cost, and reduces environmental pollution.
Services:
- Insulation in attics, walls, and foundations
- Furnace or venting repairs, and replacements
- Thermostat repairs
- Refrigerator or freezer replacement
- Water heater or venting repairs, and replacements
- Energy efficient lighting
- Other eligible repairs
Eligibility:
Households with an income at or below 200% Federal Poverty Level. If the household is receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Family Investment Program (FIP) Assistance, the household is eligible to receive Weatherization services, regardless of income.
Intake Process:
Applications are accepted year round at local community action agencies. Applications for LIHEAP are automatically sent to the Weatherization program. Applications are prioritized based on need. Not every application for LIHEAP will receive services from the Weatherization program.
Handicap Accessible: Yes
Appointment Needed: No
Website: Visit Website
Program:
Handicap Accessible: Yes
Appointment Needed: No