Veterans Service Office County and State Services

Listed below are some of the things we can assist Veterans with at the local and state level.

Veteran Drivers License

Veterans who were discharged under Honorable or General (under honorable conditions) may apply for a veteran designation on their driver’s license. Forms can be picked up at our office. In order to verify eligibility, a VSO will need to see a current drivers license as well as a copy of the veteran’s DD214 in order to establish character of service and if the applicant meets the definition of “veteran” from Iowa Code Chapter 35.1. Further information can be found on the Iowa DOT website.

Veteran License Plates

Veterans who were discharged under honorable conditions may apply for veteran license plates. VSO staff will need a copy of the DD214 (other than member 1) which must show the dates and character of service. National Guard and Reserve members may apply but must have served at least 90 days of active-duty service for other than training, or a minimum of 20 years of service and eligible for retired pay at age 60. More information on veteran status per the state of Iowa can be found online. Forms may be completed at our office. A personal check or cashier check should be presented at that time for any payment required. There is no charge for the first set of numbered plates. Second or subsequent sets are $25. The first set of personalized plates are $25. Second or subsequent sets are $50. Further information can be found on the Iowa DOT website.

Veteran Hunting and Fishing License

If you are a service-connected Iowa based veteran you can get a lifetime hunting and fishing license for $7. You must have your member 4 DD214 showing honorable service and will need a recent benefits summary letter from the federal VA showing that you have a service-connected disability.

Honor Rewards Program

The Pottawattamie County Recorders Office offers a rewards program for county veterans who records their discharge papers/DD-214 with the county. After having a DD-214 recorded, visit www.honorrewards.com to complete a brief form. Once enrolled, the veteran will receive a card that can be presented at local participating businesses to receive a discount. For more information, visit the Pottawattamie County Recorders Office Military Records website at www.pottcounty-ia.gov/departments/recorder/military_records/

Property Tax Exemption

Are you a veteran that has a property under your name and are currently living in the home? Please call our office to set up an appointment. At this appointment we will need a good copy of your DD214 and together we can fill out the tax exemption form. Once we complete those, we can send both over to the accessors office to be approved. Applications must be completed and sent in by June 30th.

100% Permanent and total disability tax exemption

If you are a veteran that has a 100% permanent and total rating for compensation, please call our office. We can explain the steps to obtain your Benefit Summary Letter and schedule an appointment to complete the application. Once the application is completed, it will be sent to the assessor's office.

Veteran Relocation Grant

Honorably discharged veterans who are within 60 days of the closing date on their new home and owns the home may be eligible for the Veteran Relocation Grant. See the attached link in reference to the grant application that gives the list of eligibility requirements. Once you have the application and all required documents, please bring it to our office to be submitted.

Veteran Relocation Incentive Program

The Pottawattamie County Veteran Relocation Incentive Program was created to encourage Veterans to move to the county. The program is available to Honorably Discharged U.S. Veterans.

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Finding a Veteran's Records

If a Veteran or loved one cannot find your discharge papers or military records, please come to us for assistance. We will need as much information as possible to be able to find the records so please make sure you have the following:

The Veterans name, DoB and SSN
The Veterans branch of service and (approximate) dates of service.

If you are acting on behalf of a veteran, or if the veteran has passed, we will need to see proof confirming this before any information or documents can be handed over.

Veterans Pantry

If you are looking for ways to help Veterans in your area, please consider donating food or hygiene items to our pantry. You can find updated requests for donations on our Facebook page. We are also always on the lookout for lightly used coats that we can give out to Veterans in need in the local area. Please help out if you can.

Adding Dependants/Change in Circumstances

If you are a Veteran receiving a monthly check from the Federal VA, then you need to ensure that you update your records so you are getting the right amount each month. To add a dependent, complete a VA 21-686c at the Pottawattamie County Veterans Service Office, or submit the form using EBenefits online.

Emergency Assistance

Basic Needs Include:

Shelter
Food
Utilities
Burial
Special Needs
Medical Needs

Eligibility for Emergency Assistance Requires:

Be a Wartime Veteran with an Honorable Discharge (DD-214) between the following dates of service:
- WWI
  - 4/6/1917 – 11/11/1918
- Occupation Germany
  - 11/12/1918 – 7/11/23
- Siberia
  - 11/12/1918 – 4/30/1920
- Haitian Suppression
  - 1919 – 1920
- Nicaragua (Marines & Navy)
  - 1926 – 1933
- Yangtze/Shanghai (Marines & Navy)
  - 1926 – 1927 & 1930 – 1932
- China (Marines & Navy)
  - 1937 – 1939
- WWII
  - 12/07/1941 – 12/31/1946
- Korea
  - 6/25/1950 – 1/31/1955
- Vietnam
  - 2/28/1961 – 5/7/1975
- Lebanon/Granada
  - 8/24/1982 – 7/31/1984
- Panama
  - 12/20/1989 – 1/31/1990
- Persian Gulf
  - 8/2/1990 – No End Date Set
- Former members of the Reserve Forces or Iowa National Guard who served at least 20 years after 1/28/1973
- Former member of the Reserve Forces or Iowa National Guard who completed or was activated for active duty for a period of 90 days of federal service other then training
- Former member of the Merchant Marines serving during WWII
- Former members of the Women’s Air Force service pilots, and other persons who have been conferred as Veterans based on their civilian duties during WWII
Be a widow or minor child of a wartime veteran honorably discharged between the prior list of dates
Be a resident of Pottawattamie County
Meet certain income guidelines
Repayment Agreement will be required
Apply for any other benefits available within the following:
- Fuel Assistance @ West Central Development
  - (712) 322-2621
- FIP at DHS (if minor child in the home)
  - (712) 322-5661
- Food Stamps
  - (712) 328-5661
- Iowa Job Service (if unemployed)
  - (712) 242-2100
- Apply for SSI/SSD (if disabled)
  - (712) 388-8529 or 1-800-772-1213
- Vocational Rehabilitation (if disabled)
  - (712) 322-3821
- State Emergency Assistance (if a minor child lives in the home)
  - (712) 328-5661