Our Mission
To fulfill the promise made to Iowa’s Veterans who took the oath to defend the constitution of the United States "From Oath to Taps."
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Our Vision
To provide a continuum of services to Iowa’s Veterans and their eligible family members to enhance their quality of life.
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About Us
To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan. - Abraham Lincoln
Iowa wants every veteran to make a successful transition back into civilian life and community. The Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs is here to help all veterans obtain services and benefits that they and their families are entitled to.
The Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs, Iowa Veterans Benefits, Iowa Veterans Home and Iowa Veterans Cemetery recognize and honor Iowa’s veterans and their families by providing the highest quality programs, services, and benefits.
From Oath to Taps
We seek to serve Iowa's Veterans and their families from the day they take their oath - pledging to serve our nation "against all enemies foreign and domestic," through every phase of life, and beyond the day their loved ones hear 'Taps' played for their service member.
Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs is a Cabinet-level Department. Our Commandant is appointed by and reports directly to the Governor of Iowa. Our department-level functions are spread between our headquarters at the Iowa Veterans Home (IVH) in Marshalltown, our Veterans Benefits Office at Camp Dodge, and the Iowa Veterans Cemetery (IVC) in the beautiful rolling hills between Adel and Van Meter. We are separate from, but partner closely with the federal VA facilities in Iowa and the region. We support and intimately collaborate with our stakeholders in other State of Iowa agencies with veteran-serving programs, our state veteran service organizations, various veteran-connected non-profits, and private organizations seeking to give back to Iowa's heroes. We embrace Iowa's grass-roots nature to support our vets across our great state at every level. We work closely with the Iowa Commission on Veterans Affairs and advocate for veteran issues with the Office of the Governor of Iowa, the Iowa Legislature, and the Iowa delegation to Washington, D.C. Â
Our Veterans Benefits office at Camp Dodge is comprised of State of Iowa employees, including two certified Veterans Service Officers (VSO), who administer our state-funded veterans programs, coordinate inter-departmental veterans programs, provide support and training for counties, claims appeals support for veterans, public outreach, records archiving and several other functions at the state level. Each of Iowa’s 99 counties has at least one CERTIFIED County Veterans Services Officer who reports to a Commissioner of Veterans Affairs. County Veteran Services Officers are county employees and our closest partners. County VSOs also specialize in awareness of local, county, city and non-profit resources in addition to federal and state services. All VSOs - county, state, or national veteran service organization certified - are qualified to work with federal VA benefits and services for veterans and eligible dependents. We urge veterans to visit their county office as your first point of contact.
The Iowa Veterans Home is the third largest state-owned facility for veterans in the nation and among the oldest. Located in Marshalltown, Iowa, it provides personalized physical and medical care, rehabilitative care, and mental health care along with many other services. Learn more about the Iowa Veterans Home.
Our Department oversees the first federally funded, state-owned and operated veterans cemetery in Iowa. The Iowa Veterans Cemetery operates under United States Department of Veterans Affairs operational standards. Learn about Iowa Veterans Cemetery.
The Iowa Commission of Veterans Affairs was created to provide recommendations to the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs and supervise the Iowa Veterans Home. Each of the 11 commissioners is appointed by the Governor for a four-year term. Organizations represented include:
- Iowa National Guard
- Reserve Officers Association
- American Legion
- American Veterans
- Disabled American Veterans
- Iowa Association of County Commissioners and Veteran Services Officers
- The Military Order of the Purple Heart
- Paralyzed Veterans of America
- Veterans of Foreign Wars
- Vietnam Veterans of America
- An 'at large' member who is knowledgeable in the general field of veterans affairs
Every County Commission of Veterans Affairs is appointed by the county’s Board of Supervisors. Its duties are defined by Iowa Code chapter 35B. Duties include ensuring interment in a suitable cemetery for any veteran, spouse, or child if the person died without the ability to pay funeral expenses.