Emergency Assistance

The CROSS office is open for assistance half days (either morning or afternoon) from Tuesday through Friday. However, the Cottage Grove Presbyterian Church office is open both morning and afternoon hours.

Call the CROSS Ministries recording at (515) 279-9998 to find out when the office will be open next or to address questions.

All applicants are seen, in person only, on a “first come, first served” basis.

However, persons who have already been through the application process and hold a CROSS Letter of Commitment, who are present when the doors are opened, will be given priority in the sign-in process. (A commitment letter is given as a promise of funds when the rest of the balance needed has been secured.)

We regret that we are unable to set appointments.

CLIENTS APPLYING FOR ASSISTANCE ARE REQUIRED TO BRING:

Rent or Mortgage Assistance:

Complete paperwork from General Assistance (located at 2309 Euclid) or Veterans Affairs showing income and expenses for the past 30 days
A Landlord / Mortgage Holder Statement showing the amount that is currently owed
NOTE: Those needing a rent deposit do not need to go to General Assistance but will still need to show a current landlord’s statement and receipts for the past 30 days showing the source of income and how those funds have been spent.

Electric / Gas or Water Assistance:

Complete paperwork from General Assistance or Veterans Affairs
A 12 month printout from the utility company showing payment history

Assistance is limited to once in a 12 month period.

Personal Hygiene Items, Cleaning Supplies, Laundry Vouchers, or Bus Tokens:

Information on income and expenses for the past 30 days.

Assistance is limited to once every 3 month period.

All applicants are asked to provide identification.

Assistance is not guaranteed but will be determined on an individual basis.

CROSS Ministries serves all people equally regardless of age, race, religion, gender, ethnicity, or sexual orientation.

CROSS Ministries Privacy Policy

CROSS Ministries receives some funding from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development via the Iowa Finance Authority to provide services for homeless and near homeless individuals and their families. A requirement of this funding is that the agency participates in the I-COUNT Network, which collects basic information about clients receiving services from this agency. This requirement was enacted in order to get a more accurate count of individuals and families who are homeless and to identify the need for different services.
It is our policy to only collect information that we consider to be appropriate. The collection and use of all personal information is guided by strict standards of confidentiality. A copy of our Privacy Notice describing our privacy practice is to be made available to all consumers upon request and will be posted publicly.
A sign-in sheet will be utilized to schedule applicants. The applicants will be advised that their signature on the sign-in sheet grants CROSS Ministries permission to release their information to other area agencies when necessary to allow us to work cooperatively with these agencies to provide the applicant with efficient and effective services. Agencies and individuals that may be contacted or to which we may release information include, but are not limited to: the applicant’s landlord, property management agency or mortgage holder; utility company; other area social service providers; shelters; city, county, federal, and state agencies from which the applicant receives services; the HMIS (ServicePoint) data system administered by Iowa Institute for Community Alliance; and agencies from which the applicant may qualify for future services.