State veteran benefits

Veteran Benefits in Iowa

Iowa offers property-tax relief for qualifying veterans and surviving family members, excludes military retirement and survivor benefits from income tax, and provides education assistance. County veterans service officers offer free help with claims and state programs.

Checked against official state sources on October 2, 2026.

Free help in Iowa

Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs

Helps Iowa veterans and their families obtain benefits and services.

Agency website (opens in a new tab) · Phone: (641) 752-1501

Free help with VA claims

County Veterans Service Officers provide free help with federal VA claims and state and county benefits. Use the state directory to find your local office.

Find a local office (opens in a new tab)

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Answer seven questions and the Benefits Finder builds a checklist of federal and state benefits, deadlines and free help.

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Property tax relief

Military Service Property Tax Exemption

Who qualifies
Iowa residents domiciled in the state who own the property on July 1. Main service routes include discharge under honorable conditions after at least 18 months of service, an earlier honorable discharge because of a service-related injury, or service during the Persian Gulf period beginning August 2, 1990. Reserve or Iowa National Guard members may qualify through 20 years of service, 90 days of federal active duty other than training followed by discharge under honorable conditions, or Title 10 retirement. A spouse living with the veteran, or an unmarried surviving spouse who lived with the veteran at death, can claim an unused exemption.
What you get
Reduces taxable property value by up to $4,000 for assessment years beginning January 1, 2023 and later, including 2026. Only one exemption may be claimed in a veteran's name.
How to apply
File with your local assessor by July 1 of the first claim year. Record proof of property ownership and military service with the county recorder. Once approved, the exemption continues without annual filing while you qualify; refile when changing the designated property.

Official page (opens in a new tab) Iowa Code 426A.11 to 426A.13; 35.1(2)(a) and (b)

Sources (2)

Disabled Veteran Homestead Tax Credit

Who qualifies
Iowa resident homeowners discharged under honorable conditions with a VA-certified permanent 100% service-connected disability, or permanent and total individual unemployability paid at the 100% rate. Surviving spouses and children receiving DIC also qualify. An unmarried surviving spouse who inherits a qualifying owner's home may continue the credit. Own and occupy the home on July 1 and for at least six months of the year; military-service and care-facility exceptions apply.
What you get
Credits the entire property tax on the qualifying homestead. Applications made on or after July 1, 2026 cover no more than one-half acre and exclude appurtenances. Earlier applications retain the prior homestead definition. This credit cannot be combined with another veteran real-property tax credit or exemption.
How to apply
File the disabled-veteran application and homestead exemption form with your assessor by July 1. Provide a DD214 and a Benefits Paid letter issued within 12 months of the application. Late applications apply to the following year.

Official page (opens in a new tab) Iowa Code 425.1(2)(b), 425.2 and 425.11, as amended by 2026 Iowa Acts chapter 1115

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State income tax

Military retirement pay: Exempt

Military retirement and survivor income exemption

Who qualifies
Recipients of federal military retirement pay for service in the armed forces, Reserve or National Guard, and Survivor Benefit Plan recipients.
What you get
Excludes qualifying military retirement and Survivor Benefit Plan income from Iowa income tax to the extent included in federal taxable income.
How to apply
Enter qualifying military retirement income on IA 1040 Schedule 1, line 4.

Official page (opens in a new tab) Iowa Code 422.7(20) and (21); Iowa Administrative Code 701-302.80

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Education and tuition

Regents tuition and mandatory-fee waiver for permanently 100% disabled veterans

Who qualifies
Veterans with a VA-certified permanent 100% service-connected disability admitted to a Regents institution. The disability-based eligibility route covers Iowa residents who served in any armed-forces component and were discharged under honorable conditions. Other available federal or state tuition assistance must be unavailable or exhausted.
What you get
Waives tuition and mandatory fees remaining after other federal or state financial assistance. The institution prorates the waiver each semester.
How to apply
Apply for admission to a Regents institution. At the University of Northern Iowa, contact the School Certifying Officials through the linked veterans-benefits page for assistance.

Official page (opens in a new tab) 2026 Iowa Acts chapter 1058, section 1, adding Iowa Code 262.9(43); Iowa Code 35.1(2)(d)

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Children of Fallen Iowa Service Members Scholarship

Who qualifies
Iowa-resident children of service members who died in active military status after September 11, 2001. The service member must have been an Iowa resident when entering military service and at death. The student must attend or plan to attend an Iowa postsecondary institution.
What you get
Scholarship assistance toward a college education.
How to apply
Use the scholarship application linked by the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs. Check the linked DVA program page for the application deadline.

Official page (opens in a new tab)

Sources (4)

Iowa National Guard Service Scholarship

Who qualifies
Iowa residents serving in an Iowa Army or Air National Guard unit while receiving the award. Complete required initial training and maintain satisfactory duty performance, including 90% drill attendance and annual training. Attend an eligible Iowa undergraduate institution, maintain satisfactory academic progress, and not already meet bachelor's-degree requirements.
What you get
For the 2026 to 2027 academic year, the full-time maximum is $9,572 annually, or $4,786 per semester, reduced by federal tuition assistance and limited by actual tuition. Normally limited to 120 semester credits; qualifying STEM study can receive up to 130.
How to apply
Submit the FAFSA and Iowa Financial Aid Application, apply for eligible nonrepayable state and federal aid, and tell your institution about Guard status at registration. Spring priority deadline is December 1 and summer is April 1. Members on federal active duty at a deadline have 30 days after returning to Iowa to apply.

Official page (opens in a new tab) Iowa Code 256.210; Iowa Administrative Code 283-20.2

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State jobs and hiring preference

Veterans preference in public employment

Who qualifies
Qualifying veterans who are U.S. citizens and residents. Main service routes include federal active duty other than training, or service in any military component with VA service-connected disability, followed by discharge under honorable conditions. Iowa residency is waived for chapter 35C preference. Spouses do not receive preference through the veteran.
What you get
Preference over applicants with no greater qualifications. State qualifying examinations provide five preference points, or ten for veterans with a service-connected disability or qualifying VA compensation, disability benefits or pension. A Purple Heart qualifies for disability preference. Rules apply the points as a percentage of a passing examination score for interview ranking.
How to apply
Claim military service on the job application. Provide a DD214 or other official eligibility document. For disability preference, provide disability evidence dated within the last 24 months. Submit documents by the vacancy's closing date using the linked DAS instructions.

Official page (opens in a new tab) Iowa Code 35.1(2)(c) and (d), 35C.1 and 8A.413(23); Iowa Administrative Code 11-54.5(2)

Sources (6)

Licenses, plates and parks

Veteran hunting, fishing and fur-harvester licenses

Who qualifies
Iowa residents with federal active-duty service other than training and discharge under honorable conditions, including General under honorable conditions. The usual resident route requires 90 consecutive days of Iowa residence and an Iowa driver's license or ID. Lifetime fishing or combined hunting/fishing licenses require entitlement to a service-connected disability rating or former POW status. The lifetime fur-harvester license requires a service-connected disability.
What you get
An annual veteran fishing or combined hunting/fishing license costs $7 including administration. Eligible disabled veterans and former POWs can obtain the lifetime fishing or combined license for $7. Eligible disabled veterans can obtain a lifetime fur-harvester license for $7.
How to apply
Submit the appropriate DNR annual or lifetime application with a DD214. Disability applicants also need a current VA disability letter. Complete applicable hunter-education requirements. Purchase the approved license after DNR certifies eligibility; annual licenses must be purchased each year.

Official page (opens in a new tab) Iowa Code 35.1(2)(c), 483A.1A(10), 483A.24(16), (17), (21) and 483A.27; 2026 Iowa Acts chapter 1161

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Veteran license plates

Who qualifies
Vehicle owners registering an eligible vehicle in Iowa who served in the U.S. Armed Forces and were discharged under honorable conditions. National Guard and Reserve members can qualify through at least 90 days of active duty other than training.
What you get
The first set of numbered veteran plates has no issuance charge. Additional sets cost $25. Annual validation costs $5 in addition to regular vehicle registration.
How to apply
Submit a written special-plate application and proof of military service and discharge to Iowa DOT. Iowa Veterans Affairs must certify eligibility. Exchange your existing plates at the county treasurer when the special plates are issued.

Official page (opens in a new tab) Iowa Code 321.34(12) and (27); Iowa Administrative Code 761-401.2(2)(n)

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Emergency financial help

Iowa Veterans Trust Fund

Who qualifies
Eligible Iowa veterans and unremarried surviving spouses needing emergency vehicle repairs, home repairs or temporary housing. A main veteran route requires 90 days of federal active service other than training and discharge under honorable conditions; an injury-discharge exception applies. Available liquid assets cannot exceed $20,000 and household income cannot exceed 300% of the federal poverty guideline for household size. Aid is unavailable if another source can meet the need.
What you get
Discretionary emergency assistance. Housing repair and vehicle repair or replacement each have a $10,000 lifetime limit; vehicle aid is also limited by the vehicle's value. Transitional housing is limited to $1,000 in any consecutive 12 months. Vehicle repairs must support work travel or prevent substantial hardship; housing repairs must protect safety or security.
How to apply
Work with your county VSO to obtain and complete the Trust Fund application and required evidence. The county forwards it to the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs for approval.

Official page (opens in a new tab) Iowa Code 35A.13; Iowa Administrative Code 801-14.2 to 14.5

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State veterans homes

State veterans homes

Location
Marshalltown
Who qualifies
Iowa residents who need nursing or residential care because of disease, injury or age and cannot earn a livelihood. Veterans need honorable or general discharge from active service and VA medical-care eligibility, excluding financial tests. Spouses must have been married for at least one year and the veteran must also be admitted; surviving spouses must meet the one-year marriage requirement and the deceased veteran must have been eligible.
What you get
Long-term nursing and residential care at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown.
How to apply
Apply through the county veterans affairs commission in your county of residence. Include a physical examination completed within three months of application.

Official page (opens in a new tab) Iowa Code 35D.1 and 35D.2; Iowa Administrative Code 801-10.1 to 10.3

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Before you apply

This page summarizes state law and agency guidance as checked on October 2, 2026. It is general information, not legal or tax advice. Eligibility depends on your records, and laws change, so confirm the details on the official page linked with each benefit, or ask a free accredited representative. This page covers the main state programs. Your county veterans service officer can tell you about smaller or local benefits.

Federal VA benefits apply in every state. See the Veteran Resource Directory and the Benefits Finder.