The state of Iowa provides several veteran benefits. This section offers a brief description of them.
Iowa Veterans Home
The State of Iowa runs a Veterans Home in Marshalltown. Cost is based on need, however no one will be turned away. Spouses may be eligible for admission. Veterans must have an honorable discharge.
Iowa Veteran Financial Benefits
Income Tax
Active duty, retired pay and SBP payments are tax-free.
Home Ownership Assistance
This $5,000 grant is available to veterans buying a home in the state of Iowa. Members must have served on or after Sep. 11, 2001, or at least 90 days between Aug. 2, 1990 and Apr. 6, 1991; and purchased a home after Mar. 10, 2005.
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 tax credit provides 100% exemption of property taxes for 100% disabled service-connected veterans and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) recipients.
Injured Veterans Grant Program
This grant provides up to $10,000 to service members or discharged veterans who sustained serious or very serious combat-related injuries in a combat theater of operations after Sep. 11, 2001.
Iowa Veterans Trust Fund
Available to veterans in need of money for unemployment or underemployment related to service-related causes, medical costs, housing assistance, and vehicle repairs. Contact the Iowa Veterans Commission at the link below for details.
Iowa Veteran Employment Preference
Honorably discharged veterans get five percentage points added to their grade or score attained in qualifying examinations for jobs with the state, public works, counties, cities, and schools.
An additional five points are added to the grade or score for veterans getting VA disability or pension.
Iowa Veteran Education Benefits
War Orphans Educational Aid
Children of Iowa veterans killed in action following Sep. 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 26.
Dependents of those killed in action prior to Sep. 11, 2001 are eligible for $600 per year with a maximum of $3,000.
Residency is required to receive this benefit.
National Guard Tuition Benefits
Iowa National Guard members in good standing are eligible for up to $4,637 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.
Iowa Veteran Lifetime Hunting/Fishing License
Iowa resident veterans with at least a 0% VA disability rating can get a lifetime hunting or fishing license for $7.00.
Iowa State Veterans Cemetery
The Iowa Veterans Cemetery is 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.
Visit the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs website for more information on any of these programs.
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