INJURED VETERANS GRANT

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.)

HOMEOWNERSHIP ASSISTANCE

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.

PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION

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.

DISABLED VETERAN’S HOMESTEAD TAX CREDIT

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.

MILITARY RETIREMENT TAX EXEMPTION

This legislation, from the year 2014, exempts federal retirement pay received for military service and survivor benefits from state individual income tax.

VETERANS DESIGNATION ON IOWA DRIVERS LICENSES AND IDS

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.

LIFETIME HUNTING AND FISHING LICENSE

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.

LICENSE PLATES

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.

IOWA VETERANS TRUST FUND

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.

BRANSTAD/REYNOLDS SCHOLARSHIP FUND

The Branstad-Reynolds Scholarship fund provides post-secondary educational scholarships for children of deceased military service members who died while in an active military status after September 11, 2001. The Scholarship is administered by the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines.

WAR ORPHAN TUITION ASSISTANCE

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 post-secondary institution. Children qualify up to the age of twenty-six (26). Dependents of those killed in action prior to September 11, 2001, are eligible for $600 per year with a maximum of $3,000. Residency is required to receive this benefit.

EDUCATION

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. (Program approval is a function of the State not the Department of Veterans Affairs.)

NATIONAL GUARD TUITION BENEFITS

Present Iowa National Guard members in good standing are eligible for up to $2,700 per semester for full time enrollment. Part-time students are eligible for $196 per semester hour. Additionally, Guard members who are mobilized will receive a tuition refund.

OPERATION RECOGNITION HIGH SCHOOL

This program furnishes an honorary high school diploma to qualifying veterans who did not complete high school (in Iowa) due to armed service enlistment. The application form is used by the IDVA and the department of education to establish eligibility for honorably discharged veterans.

IOWA VETERANS’ CEMETERY

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.