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State Benefit·Iowa·💼Employment

Veteran Employment Preference (Home Base Iowa)

Preference in hiring for state positions over equally qualified non-veteran applicants.

Verified May 12, 2026againstdas.iowa.gov

At a glance

Benefit type
Employment — Iowa
Who it's for
Veterans
VA rating needed
No rating requirement
Where it applies
Iowa
Last verified
May 12, 2026

What is Veteran Employment Preference (Home Base Iowa)?

Veteran Employment Preference (Home Base Iowa) is a Iowa employment benefit for veterans. Preference in hiring for state positions over equally qualified non-veteran applicants.

Who qualifies

Veterans
  • Available to any veteran
  • Honorable discharge required
  • Iowa residency

How to apply

Apply through the official Iowa agency.

Open application

Who is eligible

Eligibility

Honorably discharged veteran (general or uncharacterized discharges do NOT qualify). Includes Reserve/National Guard members with 20+ years of service after January 28, 1973, and activated service members (90+ days) discharged honorably or retired. Iowa residency requirement does NOT apply for Chapter 35C purposes.

What Veteran Employment Preference (Home Base Iowa) covers

Covers

5 preference points in hiring for state, county, municipal, and school positions. 10 points for veterans with service-connected disabilities, Purple Heart recipients, or those receiving VA disability compensation. Per Iowa Code Chapter 35C. Private employers as "Home Base Iowa Businesses" may also offer additional preference.

How to apply for Veteran Employment Preference (Home Base Iowa)

How to apply

Submit DD-214 (and VA letter for 10 points) to DASHRE.info@das.iowa.gov before the job posting closes. Apply through state employment channels or visit homebaseiowa.gov.

Open applicationVerify at official source

Verified information & sources

Last verified: May 12, 2026

Official source: das.iowa.gov

Compiled and fact-checked against the official source linked above. Benefit rules and dollar amounts change over time — always confirm current details at the official source before applying. A county Veterans Service Officer (VSO) is a free, accredited advocate who can review your eligibility and help you file at no cost.

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Frequently asked questions about Veteran Employment Preference (Home Base Iowa)

Who qualifies for Veteran Employment Preference (Home Base Iowa)?▾
Veteran Employment Preference (Home Base Iowa) is for Veterans; available to any veteran; iowa residency. See the eligibility details on this page and confirm with the official source before applying.
How do I apply for Veteran Employment Preference (Home Base Iowa)?▾
Apply through the official source linked on this page. A county Veterans Service Officer (VSO) can review your eligibility and help you file at no cost.
Where can I verify Veteran Employment Preference (Home Base Iowa)?▾
Benefit rules and dollar amounts change, so always confirm current details at the official source linked on this page. A free, accredited county or state Veterans Service Officer (VSO) can also verify your eligibility and help you apply.

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