FIP is Iowa's Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program and provides cash assistance to needy families as they become self-supporting so that children may be cared for in their own homes or in the homes of relatives.
FIP is available to one-parent and two-parent families and to relatives caring for children whose parents are not in the home.
FIP payments are based on the size of your family and your family’s income.
Federal law limits how long you can get FIP to a total of 60 months (five years). Months you get FIP or cash assistance in another state count toward the limit.
Months are not counted for:
Persons on SSI Caretakers who don’t get FIP for themselves.
Caretakers are relatives who care for a child, but are not the child’s parent.
Children
If a parent gets FIP for 60 months, FIP stops for the whole family.
If a caretaker gets FIP for 60 months, the caretaker is taken off the FIP grant but FIP can continue for the child.
The only way you can get FIP for more than 60 months is if you can prove that you have a reason why you cannot support your family. This is called a “hardship exemption." Examples of hardship are: Physical or mental health problems; Substance abuse problems; or Domestic violence.
The five years don’t have to be in one block of time. For example, if you get FIP for 30 months, then go off FIP and come back on at a later date, you can still get FIP for 30 more months for a total of 60 months.
To get an exemption you must:
Fill out a form called “Request for FIP Beyond
60 Months” and turn it in at the local DHS or PROMISE JOBS office.
Give us proof of why you cannot support your family.
Sign a six-month Family Investment Agreement (FIA) that lists the steps you must take to overcome the hardship.
You may be able to get more than one hardship exemption if you work on overcoming your hardship and follow all of the FIP rules.
Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA)
The Refugee Cash Assistance program provides cash assistance for up to twelve months to needy families, including single adults, who enter the United States as refugees who are not eligible for the Family Investment Program. Unless determined exempt, refugees must cooperate with work and training requirements of the RCA programs.
Additional Help
Any local HHS office can answer questions about the programs and services described here. Contact the local HHS office serving the county where you live (County HHS Office Locations). The local HHS office serving your county is also listed in the State or County Government section of your local phone book, under "Department of Health and Human Services" or just "Human Services". You may also contact the HHS Division of Community Access by calling 1-800- 972-2017.
