ARC 0470D

ARC 0470D

VETERANS AFFAIRS, IOWA DEPARTMENT OF[801]

Adopted and Filed

Rulemaking related to injured veterans grant program

    The Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs hereby rescinds Chapter 11, “Injured Veterans Grant Program,” Iowa Administrative Code, and adopts a new Chapter 11 with the same title.

Legal Authority for Rulemaking

    This rulemaking is adopted under the authority provided in Iowa Code section 35A.14 and Executive Order 10.

State or Federal Law Implemented

    This rulemaking implements, in whole or in part, Iowa Code section 35A.14 and Executive Order 10.

Purpose and Summary

    This rulemaking provides the amounts for grants paid by the Department under the Injured Veterans Grant Program and the criteria for eligibility. This rulemaking also explains the application process and the requirements for applying.

Public Comment and Changes to Rulemaking

    Notice of Intended Action for this rulemaking was published in the Iowa Administrative Bulletin on April 15, 2026, as ARC 0193D. A public hearing was held on the following date(s):

     ?   May 8, 2026

    An Amended Notice of Intended Action was published in the Iowa Administrative Bulletin on June 10, 2026, as ARC 0330D. A public hearing was held on the following date(s):

     ?   June 30, 2026

    No public comments were received. No changes from the Notice have been made.

Adoption of Rulemaking

    This rulemaking was adopted by the Department on July 15, 2026.

Fiscal Impact

     This rulemaking has no fiscal impact to the State of Iowa.

Jobs Impact

    After analysis and review of this rulemaking, no impact on jobs has been found.

Waivers

    Any person who believes that the application of the discretionary provisions of this rulemaking would result in hardship or injustice to that person may petition the Department for a waiver of the discretionary provisions, if any, pursuant to 801—Chapter 1.

Review by Administrative Rules Review Committee

    The Administrative Rules Review Committee, a bipartisan legislative committee which oversees rulemaking by executive branch agencies, may, on its own motion or on written request by any individual or group, review this rulemaking at its regular monthly meeting or at a special meeting. The Committee’s meetings are open to the public, and interested persons may be heard as provided in Iowa Code section 17A.8(6).

Effective Date

    This rulemaking will become effective on September 9, 2026.

    The following rulemaking action is adopted:

    ITEM 1.  Rescind 801—Chapter 11 and adopt the following new chapter in lieu thereof:

CHAPTER 11

INJURED VETERANS GRANT PROGRAM

801—11.1(35A) Grant amounts and eligibility.

    11.1(1) Grants paid by the department pursuant to Iowa Code section 35A.14 are paid in increments of $2,500, up to a maximum of $10,000.

    11.1(2) An initial grant of $2,500 is payable to an eligible veteran who sustains an injury in the line of duty and, because of such injury, is either:

    a.  Medically evacuated from an operational theater to a military hospital for treatment; or

    b.  Hospitalized at a military hospital for at least 30 consecutive days.

    11.1(3) After an initial grant is paid, subsequent grant payments of $2,500 are payable at 30-, 60-, and 90-day intervals thereafter if the veteran remains hospitalized or continues to receive medical care or rehabilitation services authorized by the military. Qualifying treatment or services must be provided in a location that is not the veteran’s home of record.

    11.1(4) A veteran remains eligible for the grant after discharge from the military so long as the veteran remains hospitalized or continues to receive medical treatment or rehabilitation services for the qualifying injury or illness.

801—11.2(35A) Application.

    11.2(1) To receive an initial grant payment under this chapter, a veteran must submit an application to the department that includes documentation establishing either Iowa residency or eligibility as a nonresident pursuant to Iowa Code section 35A.14(1). A veteran must also submit reasonably reliable documentation establishing eligibility, such as but not limited to:

    a.  Military identification card;

    b.  Relevant military orders;

    c.  DD Form 214, if discharged.

    11.2(2) To receive a subsequent incremental grant payment under this chapter, a veteran must submit additional documentation establishing continued qualifying hospitalization, medical care, or rehabilitation services for the injury.

    11.2(3) An application for an initial or subsequent incremental grant payment under this chapter will be submitted by the veteran. If the veteran is incapacitated due to the injury, however, the application may be submitted on the veteran’s behalf by a close family member, such as a spouse or parent, or by an appropriate power of attorney. Grants payable under this chapter are paid only to the legal custody of the veteran.

    11.2(4) A veteran may receive assistance in the application process by contacting the department office at 515.252.4698 or 800.838.4692.

    11.2(5) For any qualifying injury sustained on or after January 1, 2027, the department must receive an initial application within two years of the date of injury.

    11.2(6) Upon receiving an application for an initial or subsequent incremental grant, the department will, within 30 days, inform the applicant in writing that the application has been approved or denied or requires additional documentation establishing eligibility.

These rules are intended to implement Iowa Code section 35A.14.

[Filed 7/15/26, effective 9/9/26]

[Published 8/5/26]

EDITOR’S NOTE: For replacement pages for IAC, see IAC Supplement 8/5/26.