Iowa State Benefits Update!
The State of Iowa has new benefits for Veterans:

The Iowa Veteran's Housing Grant Program gives a $5,000 matching grant to any
veteran for the purchase of a home, tax free. To qualify, the service member
must have served on active duty under title 10, 90 days or more after
9-11-2001. Active duty for training does not count. For more information,
log onto www.ifahome.com Veterans also receive an annual property tax
exemption on their homes.

The State of Iowa also provides a program called the Injured Veteran Grant
Program. The State of Iowa provides grants to any Iowa veteran injured in a
combat zone while in the line of duty. The injury does not have to be combat
action related. To qualify, the injured veteran must be medically evacuated
from a combat zone. Within one week of evacuation, the veteran or his/her
designated family member receives a check in the amount of $2,500. The
veteran will continue to receive $2,500 every 30 days while he or she is
receiving medical treatment, up to a maximum of $10,000. This grant is
provided by the state to help off set the additional financial burdens
veterans and their families incur during convalescence.

If you join the Iowa National Guard, the State of Iowa will pay 100% of your
college tuition for four years, up to a maximum of what the state
universities cost. At the current rate, that's about $6,000 a year. This
amount can be applied to attend any private or independent college as well.
Guardsmen can then use their GI bill to pay for other expenses.

Visit the new Iowa Veteran website to learn more about the benefits and services they offer.

Injured Veterans Grant Program
Senate File 2312 enacting the injured veterans grant program, which is retroactively applicable to veterans injured after September 11, 2001. A total of $1 million has been appropriated to the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) to fund this program. The purpose and legislative intent of this program is to provide immediate financial assistance to the veteran so that family members may be with the veteran during recovery and rehabilitation from an injury or illness received in the line of duty in a combat zone or in a designated hostile fire zone. Since the program is retroactive, it is also intended to reimburse veterans injured after September 11, 2001.

Learn more about the Injured Veterans Grant Program


Veterans Trust Fund
The State of Iowa has established a $5 million 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. Funds can be used for travel expenses for service-related medical care; unemployment or underemployment assistance due to service-related causes, job training, or tuition assistance; assistance with vision, hearing, dental care, durable medical equipment, and prescription drugs; counseling and substance abuse services; emergency vehicle and housing repair; transitional housing in an emergency; emergency room and ambulance transportation assistance; funding to determine whether a deceased veteran is the father or mother of a child; funding for family support groups; and grants for providing honor guard services at veteran’s funerals. Trust fund expenditures are approved through the Iowa Veterans Commission.

Learn more about the Iowa Veterans Trust Fund

Licenses Plates
Honorably discharged veterans 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.

Learn more about getting Iowa Veteran License Plates



Vietnam Conflict Bonus
Iowa residents who served on active duty for at least 120 days between July 1, 1973 and May 31, 1975 are eligible for this bonus program. Veterans who served in Vietnam will receive $17.50 for each month served. Veterans that served outside of Vietnam during this time will receive $12.50 for each month of service. The maximum bonus amount is $500 for veterans who served in Vietnam and $300 for those who were not in country.

Learn more about the Iowa Vietnam Conflict Bonus



Veteran Lifetime Hunting/Fishing License
Veterans in receipt of at a 0% service connected disability can receive a lifetime hunting or fishing license for a $5.50 fee. In order to qualify, the Iowa resident must have served on active federal service and was disabled as a result of that service.

Veteran Lifetime Hunting/Fishing Licenses Application (PDF)



The State of 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.

Learn more about the State of Iowa Veterans Cemetery