3 new laws help vets in need

     Veterans Day is Wednesday, Nov. 11 – a time to honor those who have served our country and made great sacrifices in their military duty.
     At the Statehouse, we’re always looking for ways to thank our veterans. Some have major needs because of their service, and it’s our responsibility to help. This year, we:
     1. Ensured a full property tax exemption through the Disabled Veterans Property Tax Credit to veterans with a permanent disability that makes it impossible to work.
     A full property tax exemption already applies to those who suffered a 100 percent disability because of their service and to surviving spouses of those killed in the line of duty.
     Veterans should apply to their local assessor to receive an exemption. For more information, contact your local assessor by going to www.iowa-assessors.org/htdocs/Assessors_of_Iowa, or your county veterans’ office by going to www.va.iowa.gov/counties.
     2. Added service-disabled veterans to those who qualify for a Targeted Small Business, which is eligible for low-interest loans and grants, as well as consideration when that state seeks bids for goods and services.
     The Iowa Department of Inspections & Appeals certifies businesses owned, operated and actively managed by service-disabled veterans as Targeted Small Businesses. The business must also be for-profit, located in Iowa and have a gross income of less than $4 million.
     Those applying for certification must provide proof of a service-connected disability. Learn more or begin the certification process at https://dia.iowa.gov/tsb/.
     3. Established a stable source of revenue for the Iowa Veterans Trust Fund. Rather than relying on profits from the sale of designated Iowa Lottery games, each year $2.5 million in lottery revenue will be transferred to the trust fund. That’s the average lottery proceeds received from the games in previous years.
     The Veterans Trust Fund has seen increased applications for help from veterans in serious need of help with vision, hearing or dental care, durable medical equipment, emergency home repairs or transitional housing, and unemployment or underemployment assistance due to service-related causes. Learn more or apply for assistance at https://va.iowa.gov/benefits.
• Additional information
     Sen. Amanda Ragan (D-Mason City) serves Franklin, Butler and Cerro Gordo counties in Senate District 27. She can be reached at (641) 424-0874. Email her at amanda.ragan@legis.iowa.gov.