Benefits for Iowa Veterans

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. 

Read about the Injured Veterans Grant Program

Download the Iowa Injured Veteran Grant Application

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.

Read about Military Service member Homeownership Assistance

Call 1-800-432-7230 to learn more.

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.

Read about the Iowa Military Tax Exemption

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. 

Learn about applying for the Disabled Veteran's Homestead Tax Credit

Download the Application for Disabled Veteran's Homestead Tax Credit - 54-049

Under this exemption, federal retirement pay for military service and survivor benefits are not taxable state income.

Read about the Iowa Military Retirement Tax Exemption

Read about the Iowa DL Veteran Designation

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 need to provide a copy of their DD214 or discharge document to the Iowa DOT and fill out the Iowa DOT Veteran License Application to add the designation to their DL or ID.

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. 

Apply for an Iowa Hunting and Fishing License

Specialty license plates are available to honorably discharged veterans as defined in Iowa Code, Section 35.1.

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 . 

Apply for an Iowa Veteran's License Plate. (Scroll to the 'How to apply section.) A personalized plate fee will apply.

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.

Learn more about the Iowa Veterans Trust Fund

Download the Iowa Veterans Trust Fund Request

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.

Learn about the Iowa Veterans Cemetery

Download the Pre-Registration for Burial Determination Form

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.

Download the Children of Fallen Iowa Service Members Scholarship

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. 

Download the Iowa War Orphans Educational Assistance Instructions

Download the Iowa War Orphans Educational Assistance Application

“Operation Recognition” gives an honorary high school diploma to qualifying honorably discharged veterans who did not complete high school due to armed service enlistment.

Fill out the Operation Recognition application

The Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs is a repository for information about military discharges, veterans’ grave registrations, and state service compensation records.

Visit the Camp Dodge website for contact information

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.

Read more about Iowa Veterans Home

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. 

Read about the Department of Education program

Contact the Department of Education to talk to someone about the program.

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.

Visit the Home Base Iowa website

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.

Learn more about Iowa Workforce Development career services

The Iowa National Guard offers a variety of benefits including educational, medical, and employment benefits.

Visit the Iowa National Guard website