Note: Applications for these benefits can be found on
IDVA's website.
Benefit Specialists - Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs
The IDVA staff includes benefit 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.
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Education Programs
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. This 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 Approving Agency, not the Department of Veterans Affairs.) For more information, call 515.281.3490 or 515.281.3317 or visit
IDVA's website for a link to approved schools and training establishments.
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High School Diploma
"Operation Recognition" furnishes an honorary high school diploma to qualifying veterans who did not complete high school due to armed service enlistment. The application form is used by IDVA and the Department of Education to establish eligibility for honorably discharged veterans.
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Injured Veterans Grant - $10,000 Maximum
This grant provides $2,500 per month—up to $10,000—to members or former members of the U.S. military who are residents of Iowa and were seriously injured in the Iraq or Afghanistan theatre of operation. To be eligible for the full $10,000, the individual must have been evacuated to a hospital outside of combat and remain under some type of medical care for a minimum of 91 days. Veterans who are under medical care for less than 91 days receive $2,500 each month that medical care is needed.
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Iowa Veterans Cemetery
The Iowa Veterans Cemetery is currently located approximately 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 are interred at no charge and spouses/dependents are buried for a $300 fee. For further information and regulations, call the cemetery: 515.996.9048, or visit their website:
https://va.iowa.gov/cemetery.
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Iowa Veterans Home - Marshalltown
The Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown, Iowa is available for honorably discharged veterans, as well as their spouses or widows for long term care needs.
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Lifetime Hunting/Fishing License for Disabled Veterans
Veterans in receipt of at least a 0% service connected disability can receive a lifetime hunting or fishing license for a $5.50 fee. In order to qualify, the Iowa veteran resident must have served on active federal service and was disabled as a result of that service.
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Military Services Member Home Ownership Assistance Program
This $5,000 grant is available to service members who are 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. For more information, visit the Military Homeownership Assistance Program website or call 800.432.7230.
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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.
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Property Tax Exemption
This benefit reduces a veteran's assessed home value for property tax purposes by $1,850. 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.
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Veteran's License 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.
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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 relieve for Iowa veterans and their families. At this time, interest funds are received monthly and approved applicants are placed on a waiting list based on the date received and approved. 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; housing repair; and transitional housing in an emergency. Trust fund expenditures are approved through the Iowa Veterans Commission. For a complete list of eligibility services, contact your local VA county director, the IDVA, or visit: https://va.iowa.gov/
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Vietnam Veterans Conflict Bonus
This bonus program is for Iowa residents who served on active duty for at least 120 days and between July 1, 1973 and May 31, 1975. 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.
This program is an extension of the original bonus created following the Vietnam War to honor soldiers for service through June 30, 1973. The Federal government has since expanded the Vietnam era to include July 1, 1973 to May 31, 1975, both dates inclusive. Vietnam-era veterans who received a bonus for service prior to July 1, 1973, will have that amount included in the maximum compensation amount for the new bonus.
Note: If you were denied the original Vietnam bonus for time served from July 1, 1958 through June 30, 1973, you may be eligible to apply for a retroactive bonus. In order to qualify, you need to have applied and been denied an original bonus due to residency, been inducted into the military in Iowa, and not have received a bonus from another state.
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War Orphan Tuition Assistance
Children of Iowa veterans killed in action following September 11, 2001 are eligible for up to 5 years of tuition assistance (at the highest tuition rate of the Iowa Regents Universities) at an accredited post-secondary education institution (Regent, Private, or Community College.) 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.
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WWII Oceangoing Merchant Marine Service Compensation
This bonus program is for honorably discharged Iowa residents who served on active duty in the active, oceangoing merchant marine service of the United States, at any time between December 7, 1941 and December 31, 1946, both dates inclusive, and who served for a period of not less than 120 days on or before December 31, 1946. Applicant must have been a legal resident of the state of Iowa for a period of at least six months immediately before entering into the merchant marine service. Applicant is entitled to receive the sum of $12.50 for each month that the person was on active duty in the merchant marine service, all before December 31, 1946, and not to exceed a total sum of $500.00.
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