Iowa offers various benefits for veterans. On this page, you’ll find a concise overview of each of these benefits.
Iowa Veterans Home
The Veterans Home in Marshalltown, operated by the State of Iowa, provides care for veterans. Admission costs are determined by need, with a commitment to never turning anyone away. Additionally, spouses may qualify for admission, while veterans must have received an honorable discharge.
Iowa Veteran Financial Benefits
Income Tax
Payments from active duty, retirement, and SBP (Survivor Benefit Plan) are exempt from taxes.
Home Ownership Assistance
Veterans purchasing a home in Iowa can access a $5,000 grant. Eligibility requires service on or after September 11, 2001, or a minimum of 90 days between August 2, 1990, and April 6, 1991. Additionally, the home must have been purchased after March 10, 2005.
Property Tax Exemption
This benefit decreases the assessed value of a veteran’s home for property tax calculations by $1,852. To be eligible, a service member must have served on active duty during a wartime period or for at least 18 months during peacetime.
Disabled Veteran’s Homestead Tax Credit
This tax credit grants a full exemption from property taxes to veterans with 100% disability due to service-connected injuries, as well as recipients of Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC).
Injured Veterans Grant Program
This grant offers up to $10,000 to service members or veterans who were injured seriously or severely in combat-related incidents within a theater of operations after September 11, 2001.
Iowa Veterans Trust Fund
For veterans experiencing financial hardship due to unemployment or underemployment linked to service-related issues, including medical expenses, housing assistance, and vehicle repairs, assistance is available. Contact the Iowa Veterans Commission using the link provided below for further information.
Iowa Veteran Employment Preference
Veterans who have been honorably discharged receive a five-point boost to their grade or score achieved in qualifying examinations for positions within the state, public works, counties, cities, and schools.
Furthermore, an extra five points are added to the grade or score for veterans who receive VA disability or pension benefits.
Iowa Veteran Education Benefits
War Orphans Educational Aid
The children of Iowa veterans who were killed in action after September 11, 2001, are entitled to receive up to $11,844.00 per year in tuition assistance at an Iowa post-secondary institution. Eligible children can receive this assistance until the age of 26.
Dependents of veterans killed in action before September 11, 2001, are eligible for $600 per year, with a maximum benefit of $3,000.
Residency within Iowa is a prerequisite to accessing this benefit.
National Guard Tuition Benefits
Iowa National Guard members in good standing qualify for up to $4,637 per semester for full-time enrollment. Part-time students are eligible for $196 per semester hour. Furthermore, Guard members who are mobilized will receive a reimbursement of their tuition fees.
Iowa Veteran Lifetime Hunting/Fishing License
Iowa resident veterans with a minimum 0% VA disability rating are eligible to obtain a lifetime hunting or fishing license for a nominal fee of $7.00.
Iowa State Veterans Cemetery
The Iowa Veterans Cemetery, situated 10 miles west of Des Moines, near Van Meter, is open to all veterans, their spouses, and dependent children for burial services. Honorably discharged veterans will be interred at no cost, while spouses and dependents can be buried for a fee of $300.
