The IDVA staff includes benefits specialists, accredited by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, who specialize in federal VA benefits, as well as state benefits. They advise veterans and family members of veterans concerning federal VA benefits they may be entitled to receive. These include pension, disability compensation, and other ancillary benefits. Benefit specialists can also represent claimants with federal claims and review all correspondence pursuant to those claims to determine if an award action or denial was correct. For additional information, please call the IDVA office at 515-252-4698 or 800-838-4692 and ask for a benefit specialist.
This grant provides up to $10,000 to service members or discharged veterans who sustained serious injury in the line of duty in an area where the veteran was receiving hazardous duty pay after September 11, 2001. (Injury categories are defined in DOD Joint Publication 1-02.)
Information: Injured Veterans Grant Program
Apply: Iowa Injured Veteran Grant Application
This $5,000 grant is available to a service member who is buying a home in the state of Iowa. Members must have served on active duty on or after September 11, 2001 and purchased a home after March 10, 2005. Eligibility has been expanded to include service members who served 90 days of active duty between August 2, 1990 and April 6, 1991.
Information: Military Service Member Homeownership Assistance
Contact: To learn more, call 1-800-432-7230
This benefit reduces a veteran’s assessed home value for property tax purposes by $1,852. In order to qualify, a service member must have served on active duty during a period of war or for a minimum of 18 months during peacetime.
Information: Iowa Property Tax
Apply: Property Tax Exemption Application
This legislation, from the year 2014, provides 100% exemption of property taxes for 100% disabled service-connected veterans and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) recipients.
Information: Department of Iowa Revenue
Apply: Disabled Veteran's Homestead Tax Credit Application
This legislation, from the year 2014, exempts federal retirement pay received for military service and survivor benefits from state individual income tax.
Information: Military Retirement Tax Information
Honorably discharged veterans may request the “Veteran” designation be placed on their driver’s license or non-operator identification card. Veteran must present a copy of their DD214 or applicable discharge document to the Iowa DOT. The veteran must then complete an Iowa DOT Application form. Note: Veterans may request the “veteran” designation anytime they seek a new card, not just at the time of renewal. The cost for a duplicate DL or nonoperator ID is $10.00.
Information: Veterans License Designation
Apply: Veteran License Application
Veterans in receipt of at least a 0% service connected disability 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 and was disabled as a result of that service.
Apply: Hunting and Fishing License Application
Honorably discharged veterans (as defined in the Code of Iowa 35.1 ) are eligible to purchase specialty veteran license plates for their vehicle. These special plates are available for an additional charge through the Iowa Department of Transportation.
Information: Iowa DOT Military License Plates (military options are at the bottom)
Apply: Veterans License Plate Applications
The State of Iowa has established a multi-million dollar fund to provide certain services to veterans. Beginning in December 2007, interest from this fund has been available to provide relief for Iowa veterans and their families. Currently, funds are used for unemployment or underemployment assistance due to service-related causes, assistance with vision, hearing, dental care, durable medical equipment, and prescription drugs; counseling and substance abuse services; vehicle repairs; housing repair; and transitional housing in an emergency. Trust fund expenditures are approved through the Iowa Veterans Commission.
Apply: Iowa Veterans Trust Fund Information: Iowa Veterans Trust Fund
The Iowa Veterans Cemetery began operation on July 3, 2008. Located 10 miles west of Des Moines, near Van Meter, the cemetery 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.
Information: Iowa Veterans Cemetery
Apply: Registration for Burial Determination