As an Iowa veteran, you may be eligible for a wide range of benefits and honors from multiple sources. Learn more about how your fellow Iowans have got your six 'oath to taps' with state veterans benefits, and go to our interactive map to connect with your Federal, State and County veteran resources in Iowa.
How We Can Help ... IDVA & Inter-Agency Programs for Vets
IDVA State Benefits
Service members or veterans who were seriously injured in the line of duty in a hazardous area after September 11, 2001 may be eligible and can apply for up to $10,000.
This $5000 grant is available to service members who actively served after September 11, 2001 and purchased a home after March 10, 2005. Members who actively served for 90 days between August 2, 1990 and April 6,1991 may also apply.
This benefit drops the assessed value of a veteran's home for property tax purposes up to $4,000. To qualify, a service member must have served on active duty for a minimum of 18 months.
This tax credit provides 100% exemption of property taxes for 100% disabled service-connected veterans and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) recipients. Ask your County Assessor and VSO about your property and limitations.
Honorably discharged veterans may ask for the “Veteran” designation on their driver’s license or state issued identification card. The designation can be added anytime they want a new card. A duplicate DL or ID costs $10.00.
Veterans can receive a lifetime hunting or fishing license for a $7.00 fee. In order to qualify, the Iowa resident must have served on active federal service.
See the Iowa DOT Military License Plates. (Scroll to the 'Military Service Plates' section near the bottom.) Different options are available based on branch of service .
The interest from this fund provides services and relief for Iowa veterans and their families. The Iowa Veterans Commission approves applications and distributes the money.
Funds help with (1) unemployment assistance due to to service-related causes; (2) assistance with vision, hearing, dental care, durable medical equipment: (3) prescription drugs; (4)counseling and substance abuse services; (5) vehicle repairs; (6) housing repairs; and (7) transitional housing in an emergency.
The cemetery is located near Van Meter and is available to all veterans, their spouses, and dependent children for burial. Honorably discharged veterans will be interred at no charge and spouses/dependents will be buried for a $300 fee.
Children of deceased military service members who died while in an active military status after September 11, 2001 can apply for educational scholarships to attend college. The Scholarship is administered by IDVA and the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines.
Children of Iowa veterans killed in action following September 11, 2001 are eligible for up to $11,844.00 per year in tuition assistance at an Iowa college. Children up to the age 26 can qualify. Dependents of those killed in action prior to September 11, 2001 and live in Iowa are eligible for $600 per year with a maximum of $3,000.
“Operation Recognition” gives an honorary high school diploma to qualifying honorably discharged veterans who did not complete high school due to armed service enlistment.
The Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs is a repository for information about military discharges, veterans’ grave registrations, and state service compensation records.
Located in Marshalltown, Iowa, the home is available to honorably discharged veterans and their spouses or widows for long-term care needs. IVH is dedicated to providing professionally managed health care for veterans of all ages.
The Iowa Department of Education is the State Approving Agency for the GI Bill program. The Department approves programs for veterans and other eligible persons.
The Iowa Department of Education has been designated by the governor of the state of Iowa as the location for the Iowa State Approving Agency. The State Approving Agency is responsible for approving all GI Bill programs in Iowa for veterans and other eligible persons. Military education staff provides educational and career assistance for veterans and other eligible persons. For more information, call the department: 515.281.3317 or visit IDVA’s webpage for a link to programs approved by the Veteran and Military Education Unit for Iowa veterans and information regarding educational support for children of military personnel.
Home Base Iowa links Iowa businesses with qualified veterans and their spouses looking for career opportunities. The program also helps connect veterans and their families with education opportunities and to transition into a new community.
Iowa Workforce Development Veteran Employment Services has 15 regional offices around Iowa. Each regional center has staff to help coordinating specific services provided to veterans within the Iowa Workforce system. This includes helping clients of VA Vocational Rehabilitation.
